Hull Medic™

Innovative technology uses the propeller as a precise measuring instrument

Hull Medic relies on the calibration of your ship’s propeller as a power absorption dynamometer. The calibration involves fitting a mathematical model based on propeller characteristics and ship performance measurements typically available from existing sensors  on most vessels. The technique can be used for ships with single, double, and variable pitch propellers.

Comparison to a Clean Hull

Typical Hull Medic Speed Loss Graph

The propeller model calibration is performed empirically from ship performance data collected immediately following hull conditioning in drydock and during periods of calm weather. The resulting model is then used to track power increases over time through a continuous comparison to the “clean hull” model. The difference between measured and model-derived power will grow with the onset of hull fouling. The extra power consumed by the ship is then converted into extra fuel cost based on the ship’s speed profile and consumption characteristics. A similar derivation for speed loss is also performed.

Greater Sampling Leads to Extreme Accuracy

High-accuracy model derived from Hull Medic Propeller Calibration

Other ship performance monitoring methods have difficulty eliminating data scatter due to varying ship and environmental conditions. This hampers the ability to detect performance losses early in the hull fouling evolution. Hull Medic’s automatic data sampling allows the analysis of thousands of performance records per month, drastically increasing accuracy over manual data collection methods. Advanced statistical and database techniques are also used to eliminate the scatter that is typical of most ship performance data. The net result is an extremely accurate detection of hull fouling at the earliest possible time, allowing earlier maintenance action and more fuel savings.

Hull Medic Case Study>>