Marine Approval

Marine approval is essential for reliable operation of sensors in harsh maritime conditions. This guide details the process, highlights crucial selection criteria, and explores diverse applications of certified sensors in various shipboard systems, from ballast control to cargo management.

All voyage and safety critical equipment on a ship must be certified by the same marine approval body that audited and registered the whole ship. The marine approval process involves an initial and continuous periodic product assessment to inspect random production samples, ensure adequate production and inspection processes, procedures, documentation and quality control, and review the current product design and any future design iterations for compliance with the type approval.

Marine approval ensures equipment reliability in harsh maritime conditions.
Classification societies like LR, DNV, and ABS conduct rigorous testing and certification.
Sensor selection requires considering material compatibility, vibration resistance, and specific application needs.
Marine-approved sensors are crucial for voyage and safety-critical systems.
Ongoing surveillance maintains certification and ensures consistent product quality.

Pressure and level sensors that have been approved for marine use on ships and other offshore applications. Select a sensor for measuring sea water ballast, liquid cargo, fuel and wastewater pressures & levels.

Marine Approved Liquid Level Sensors - Explore marine-approved liquid level sensors certified (DNV, ABS, LR) for reliable measurement in harsh shipboard and offshore environments. Robust designs for ballast, fuel, bilge & service tanks.
Marine Approved Pressure Transmitters - Marine approved pressure transmitters with 4-20mA output for critical ship management systems including engines, cargo tanks, ballast control, and fuel gauging. ATEX options available.
Marine Approved Hydrostatic Liquid Level Sensors - Marine approved hydrostatic liquid level sensors provide accurate and reliable level measurement of seawater ballast, diesel fuel, wastewater, and liquid cargo in harsh marine environments.

-10…30 kPa g compound range inert gas pressure transmitter for ship IG system - An intrinsically safe, marine approved compound range pressure transmitter for ship cargo tank IG system use to measure pressure of inert gas over a range of -10 to 30 kPa g from the G1/2 male process connection, and sending the corresponding 4-20mA signal through the DIN plug electrical connection.
Fuel and freshwater level sensor with adjustable hydrostatic range for small vessel tanks - A marine-approved hydrostatic sensor designed for fuel and freshwater tanks up to 1.6 meters, featuring a high-purity ceramic diaphragm and field-adjustable HART communication for precise shipboard level monitoring.
Hydrophone array submersible 200 meter seawater depth sensor - Submersible pressure sensor which can be connected at the end of our hydrophone cable to measure the water depth.
Lube oil pressure sensor for use on ship engines to measure up to 10 bar - Marine approved pressure sensor for use on lube oil up to 10 bar with a maximum media temperature of 125°C and environment temperature of 85°C.
2 bar g sea water pressure transmitter for marine engine cooling system - 4-20mA (2 wire) transmitter for monitoring sea water pressure up to 2 bar gauge on the cooling system of a marine diesel engine.
Monitoring high-pressure seawater pumps on merchant vessels with submersible pressure transmitters - Monitoring high-pressure seawater pump performance in marine washing systems. Submersible, corrosion-resistant pressure transmitters provide reliable measurements for both inlet and outlet pressures.
Marine air lubrication system submersible seawater resistant air pressure transmitter - Measuring gauge air pressure inside a pipe near an underwater air injector for a ship's drag reduction system. Marine grade pressure sensors provide essential accuracy and seawater resistance for reliable component testing and performance tuning at depths down to 10 meters.
Measuring fuel and water tank levels on ferries with a hydrostatic transmitter - Marine certified level sensors for ferry onboard fuel, water, and sewage tanks up to 2.4 meters
Abstraction pump protection using a screw-on hydrostatic level transmitter in a tidal river - Learn about the deployment of a 4-20mA screw-on hydrostatic level sensor for monitoring fluctuating seawater levels. Key aspects include the benefits of a fixed threaded mounting, diaphragm vulnerability without a nose cone, and protecting the atmospheric vent tube.
9m 4-20mA ship fish storage seawater storage tank submersible level sensor - A marine approved submersible liquid level sensor for submerging in a ship seawater tank for fish storage use and measuring the depth over a range of 0 to 9m from the flush diaphragm, and sending the corresponding 4-20mA signal through the submersible cable electrical connection.
Ferry hull draft monitoring 3 bar absolute 4-20mA output seawater pressure sensor - An absolute pressure sensor for ship use to measure seawater depth on a ferry hull draft monitoring system over a range of 0 to 3 bar abs from the G1 1/2" process connection, and sending the corresponding 4-20mA signal through the waterproof cable electrical connection.
Desalination plant feed tank submersible level sensor - Highly durable submersible level sensor designed for harsh desalination plant environments. Copper-nickel alloy housing and ceramic diaphragm ensure long-term reliability in aggressive saline conditions. 4-20mA output, 0-5mH2O range.

Contents

The Importance of Marine Approvals

Marine environments present unique challenges for electronic equipment. Saltwater corrosion, vibration, electromagnetic interference, and extreme temperature fluctuations demand robust and reliable instrumentation. Marine approval signifies that a product has undergone rigorous testing and certification by a recognized maritime classification society, ensuring its suitability for shipboard use. This certification isn’t a one-time event; it involves ongoing surveillance of the manufacturing process and product design to maintain compliance.

Navigating the Marine Approval Process

Marine approvals are crucial for any equipment considered voyage or safety critical. This includes systems like navigation, communication, propulsion, and ballast control. The specific approval body such as LR (Lloyd’s Register), GL (Germanischer Lloyd), DNV (Det Norske Veritas), ABS (American Bureau of Shipping),CCS (China Classification Society), BV (Bureau Veritas), or others, is often determined by the classification society that oversees the vessel itself. This ensures consistency and simplifies the overall ship certification process.

Selecting Sensors for Marine Environments

Selecting the right sensor for marine applications requires careful consideration of several factors beyond just the basic measurement parameters. For instance, when measuring ballast tank levels, the sensor must withstand not only the hydrostatic pressure but also the corrosive nature of seawater and potential for tank cleaning operations. Material compatibility with the medium being measured is paramount, as is the sensor’s resistance to vibration and shock. In fuel or cargo tank gauging, intrinsically safe (IS) or explosion-proof certifications may be necessary depending on the flammability of the liquids.

Featured marine certified products

Desalination plant feed tank submersible level sensor - Highly durable submersible level sensor designed for harsh desalination plant environments. Copper-nickel alloy housing and ceramic diaphragm ensure long-term reliability in aggressive saline conditions. 4-20mA output, 0-5mH2O range.
LMK458 Marine Approved Hydrostatic Level Transmitter - Marine approved level transmitter with 4-20mA output for measuring level of contents inside ship ballast, fuel, liquid cargo or wastewater tanks

Specific Application Considerations

Consider pressure and level sensors used in a ship’s wastewater system. These sensors must be resistant to the chemicals and solids present in wastewater, and must also be able to withstand the temperature variations experienced in different parts of the vessel. The sensor’s mounting method and its ease of maintenance are also important, as access to these systems can be limited. Similarly, sensors used in cargo tanks, especially for chemical tankers, need to be compatible with a wide range of potentially aggressive substances. They must also be designed to prevent leaks and ensure accurate level measurement even with varying cargo densities.

Offshore Applications

Offshore platforms and support vessels face similar environmental challenges to ships, demanding robust and reliable instrumentation. Marine approvals are equally crucial for these structures, where equipment failure can have significant consequences. Consider the diverse applications on a typical platform: buoyancy control systems rely on precise level measurement to maintain stability, while storage tanks for drilling fluids, chemicals, and produced hydrocarbons require accurate level and pressure monitoring for safe operation. Generators, vital for power supply, depend on reliable sensors for monitoring fuel levels, oil pressure, and coolant temperature. Even seemingly less critical systems like HVAC and other utilities benefit from marine-approved sensors, ensuring consistent performance and minimizing downtime. These sensors must be resistant to saltwater corrosion, vibration, and extreme temperature fluctuations, just as they are on ships. Furthermore, they need to be compatible with the specific media being measured, whether it’s drilling mud, crude oil, or specialized chemicals. Ease of maintenance and accessibility are also important factors, especially in the often-cramped and hazardous environments of offshore platforms. The specific certifications required will depend on the platform’s location, the type of operations being conducted, and the relevant regulatory bodies governing the region.