Grant awarded to AI-driven tool that predicts vessel issues early
July 28, 2025By Seawork Press FP
ORE Catapult
AST Reygar
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Led by AST Reygar, project “Enhance Vessel AI” brings together a multidisciplinary consortium including CrewSmart Ltd, offshore operator Seacat Services, and research and innovation leader ORE Catapult.
Funded by the UK Government through the UK Shipping Office for Reducing Emissions (UK SHORE), the project uses artificial intelligence to support more efficient, lower-emission operations by harnessing real-time data and historic maintenance records to predict vessel issues early.
“Enhance Vessel AI” supports UK SHORE’s mission to decarbonise maritime transport through smarter, data-led solutions.
At the heart of the project is an AI-powered tool that analyses real-time vessel performance data alongside a digital history of defects and maintenance activity. This dual-data approach allows the system to continuously learn from each vessel’s operational and service history, making intelligent predictions about potential faults or efficiency drops. Crucially, it requires minimal setup from the end user and adapts quickly to different vessel types and operating conditions.
This capability builds directly on AST Reygar’s existing BareFLEET system, which captures vessel health and performance data, and CrewSmart’s fleet management and planned maintenance platform. The new tool will integrate these systems to create a live feedback loop between what’s happening on the water, and what’s recorded in the maintenance logbook.
The Enhance Vessel AI system is being developed and validated using operational data from Seacat Services’ fleet of 18 Crew Transfer Vessels (CTVs), which operate in the demanding offshore wind sector. This real-world testing environment ensures the tool is both robust and operator-friendly, designed for deployment across busy commercial fleets with minimal disruption.
ORE Catapult will contribute technical oversight and ensure that the solution meets the wider needs of the maritime and renewables industries.
By catching early signs of performance issues – whether related to engine health, fuel inefficiencies, or fouling – the software will support more timely, targeted maintenance. Not only can this help reduce emissions and fuel consumption, but it also extends machinery life, cuts down the costs of spares and consumables, and improves vessel availability.
Though initially focused on small commercial vessels such as CTVs, tugboats, pilot boats etc., the technology is designed to scale across the marine sector. It can be applied to diesel, electric, and hybrid propulsion systems, and even extended to auxiliary systems like HVAC gensets, and winches.
