Jerryborg Marine’s FMS (Fender Monitoring System) is a condition monitoring system for inflatable fenders, primarily designed to track the fender’s operational status in real time during berthing.
In port and offshore engineering projects, inflatable fenders are typically subjected to repeated pressure changes over extended periods, with internal pressure fluctuating continuously as the ship berths. Manual inspections alone are insufficient to continuously monitor these dynamic changes; therefore, a method capable of providing real-time data feedback on-site is needed to aid in assessing the fender’s condition.
The FMS is designed to address this need. By continuously monitoring the internal pressure of the fender, it transforms the previously invisible operational status into readable data, making on-site management more intuitive.
Fender Monitoring System Practical Application Scenarios
The most common application environment for FMS in projects is at terminals with high berthing safety requirements, such as large ports, oil and gas terminals, and areas with high vessel berthing frequency.
These locations share the common characteristic of high fender stress and variable stress conditions, sometimes involving slight contact, sometimes strong compression. Without a continuous monitoring method, many changes are difficult to detect in a timely manner.
Field personnel typically rely on experience to make judgments, such as berthing frequency, visual condition, or periodic inspections. However, these methods have a limitation: they only reflect the “result,” rarely showing the “process.”
This is where the role of FMS comes in. It doesn’t change the way the fender is used, but rather directly displays the changes in the fender during stress, allowing on-site personnel to see how the pressure changes.
At terminals with frequent berthing, this information directly impacts operational procedures, such as whether to adjust the inflation status or perform advance maintenance. In remote terminals or areas where personnel are not frequently stationed, the significance of this real-time feedback is even more pronounced, as many decisions no longer rely on on-site experience but are made directly from data.
Fender Monitoring System Data and Condition Assessment
The data provided by the FMS is not complex in itself, primarily revolving around pressure changes. However, this data can be directly used for assessment in practical applications.
For example, under normal operating conditions, the pressure changes generated during each berthing will generally remain within a relatively stable range. If a significant deviation occurs over a period of time, it can serve as a reference signal, prompting further on-site inspection.
Furthermore, comparing data over a period of time can reveal whether the fender’s condition has changed, such as the presence of slow air leaks or uneven stress. These types of problems are usually difficult to detect by looking at a single instance.
Therefore, the significance of this system lies not in the sheer volume of data, but in the fact that this data is continuous and can be used for simple yet effective assessments.
Fender Monitoring System Advantages
From a practical perspective, the changes brought about by FMS are more about the “judgment method” than the equipment itself.
Without a monitoring system, the condition of the fender is usually confirmed through periodic inspections. However, the fender itself is a dynamic stress structure, and its condition changes continuously, which cannot be fully covered by a fixed period.
With FMS, this condition becomes a continuously visible change curve, and even small pressure fluctuations can be recorded. This is more noticeable in long-term projects, because many problems do not occur suddenly but change gradually.
Furthermore, in scenarios where multiple fenders are used simultaneously, previously each one needed to be checked individually; now, the overall status can be seen directly on a single interface. This change has a direct impact on on-site management, especially when berthing frequency is high.
Features of the Jerryborg Marine Fender Monitoring System
In actual projects, different manufacturers’ FMS systems may have slightly different approaches. When developing this system, Jerryborg Marine didn’t focus on adding features, but rather on stability for field use.
Firstly, in terms of monitoring logic, we still focus on pressure data, without making too many complex expansions. Because in the application scenario of inflatable fenders, pressure itself is the most direct and effective basis for judgment; the simpler the data, the clearer it is for field use.
Regarding structural adaptation, the FMS is designed from the outset to integrate with the fender body, rather than being an aftermarket addition. One advantage of this is that the sensor positions and connections are more stable, less prone to loosening or interference under long-term stress.
Regarding communication methods, we generally adjust them according to project conditions. Some simpler field environments can use wired connections to ensure stability; for projects where wiring is inconvenient, wireless transmission can also be used. This part is not a fixed configuration, but rather determined according to the actual situation.
Furthermore, in projects using multiple fenders, the system can simultaneously connect to multiple monitoring points, allowing for centralized viewing of overall data. This eliminates the need to individually assess the status of each fender during berthing, providing a clearer overall picture.
Overall, Jerryborg Marine’s FMS doesn’t prioritize “numerous functions,” but rather focuses on “stability and intuitive operation,” which is what most projects value most.