News

My interest in Engineering started at an early age as I’ve been told I was always pulling things apart to see how they worked, and sometimes even managing to put them back together!

On leaving secondary education I took an Engineering and Electronics apprenticeship with a large Instrumentation company which provided me with qualifications, and a hands-on introduction to the industry, in particular within the Marine sector.

After undertaking various roles in Sales and Project Management, I joined PSM in 1989 and it has been home ever since.

Joining initially as a Sales Manager and then becoming Sales Director and co-owner in 1993, I have been fortunate to be part of the growing team for more than 30 years. From the early days where PSM was a small team of Engineers positioned as a specialist provider of Engineered solutions, pulling together instrumentation from various suppliers, to our current position of having a complete and comprehensive in-house, developed and manufactured range of instrumentation.

PSM has always been a truly international business and has taken me around the world with many unforgettable adventures along the way and brought strong partnerships and personal friendships forged over the years.

As we have grown, so has our focus on the marine sector, with the development of purpose designed instrumentation now in its third generation responding to the growing sophistication of the market and our customers’ needs. Some of the most rewarding moments have come from seeing a product develop from its initial concept to a fully approved reality, installed and in service.

Away from work, I enjoy spending time in the countryside, either walking or riding a motorcycle. Motorcycling is a passion of mine, I have been riding since I was a boy, competing in Enduro events for many years, and more recently touring with my wife at a more relaxed pace, visiting Europe as often as we can.

We have recently been working with the Hellenic Navy in Greece on the refit of their Ouranos vessel. The Ouranos is a small coastal tanker, built in 1977 at the Salamis shipyards, alongside its sister ship, the Hyperion, whose main task is to supply and replenish other vessels and naval bases of the Hellenic Navy with fuel and drinking water.

The refit of the 67.6m and 2,100 ton vessel consisted of our VPM+ central acquisition unit with its integral 7” touchscreen display, connected via an ethernet link to a remote larger touchscreen display configured to provide full tank data in both bargraph and tabular format. The VPM+ is particularly suited for larger vessels or systems where a more comprehensive display is required.

Our APT1000 submersible sensor was installed in each of the twelve oil cargo tanks and connected back to the VPM+ acquisition unit via RFM4 termination modules on a single RS485 data bus. This ensured that both liquid level and the temperature could be measured.

The VPM+ is fully pre-configured by us before despatch, meaning the Hellenic Navy simply needed to install the unit and power it up upon delivery, and this, plus the minimal cabling required, were key considerations in them selecting the PSM system for the refit.

We have recently launched our new Type approved by DNV ‘Connect’ Monitoring System suitable for all tank gauging applications and which is MED certified for use on passenger vessels for flood detection monitoring.

The new Connect system is based on our established VPM central monitors, with the addition of an enhanced central processing unit, capable of interfacing with all types of input signals. These can either be connected directly via RS485 communication to the PSM APT1000 intelligent level transmitters, or via interface cards which incorporate safety barriers for IS compliance and accept signals from a 4-20mA instrument.

All signal processing and data calculations are undertaken within the Connect central processing unit and multiple input ports ensure virtually limitless expandability. Tank tables, trim and heel correction, specific gravity, overpressure, temperature, and all other related parameters are considered to provide accurate real-time display tank status.

When Connect is combined with PSM Scanjet’s comprehensive instrumentation range for level detection and monitoring, we can deliver a complete solution for all applications.

We have already received several system orders for applications as diverse as fishing vessels, naval oil tankers and a land-based tank farm, demonstrating Connect’s design aim of being a versatile and scalable monitoring solution.

Information from Connect can be displayed in multiple formats, dependent on which is most suited to your application, such as tabular, bar graph, tank plan and hybrid views. Tanks may also be grouped with dedicated alarm pages showing warnings and status at all times.

Displays are interfaced to the central processing unit via an ethernet connection and display formatting is completely flexible depending on your specific application needs. In effect, the central processing unit acts as a web server and the displays as clients, and any display hardware which can run a web browser may be used. We offer a suitable range of displays, each with a small processing hub, to handle ethernet communications, without the need for a costly computer at each location.

We believe that our new Connect system is an exciting addition to our range and offers a complete tailored solution for a wide range of applications.

After studying Aeronautical Engineering, I started my career at PSM in 1995 as a Production Technician. I was then promoted to Quality Manager (2000), Production Manager (2004) and Operations Director (2019) after obtaining my CILT (UK) – IOM Level 5 Diploma in Operations Management, giving me 27 years’ experience in the manufacturing and marine industry. Recently, in May 2022, I took over the role of Managing Director.

Some of my career highlights include project managing the development and third-party certification of the APT1000 transmitter, the Versatile Process Monitor (VPM) and Connect, our new web-based server platform.

I am also passionate about developing employees through the company, apprenticeship schemes and supporting STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) in local schools, encouraging future generations into the industry.

Outside of work, you will often find me fly fishing to relax. I am married with twin boys and an ideal weekend would be spent with my family, cooking one of my speciality Sunday roasts!

It has been a year of growth and change at PSM. In April 2022, John Bullivant retired as Managing Director after 9 years in the role, and James Spenceley, previously Operations Director, took over the position.

We also became part of Alfa Laval as our parent company, Scanjet Marine, was acquired in August.

Alongside these changes to our business, we have continued to develop, manufacture and supply new products and systems to both existing and new customers.

One of our key developments is ‘Connect’, a web-based server platform, capable of accepting and processing data for all instrument types and enabling easy distribution of information to multiple locations onboard a vessel and also for remote access from shore side for live data.

We have received DNV Type Approval of the Connect system for Tank Gauging, providing the monitoring of volume, temperature, pressures and high / low alarms, plus draught measurement. In addition, we have obtained Marine Equipment Directive approval by DNV of the Connect Flood Detection System, designed and approved for use onboard passenger vessels.

Despite world events creating ongoing disruption to the global supply chain, meaning component shortages and long lead times, we have made exceptional investments in securing key critical parts, to guarantee our ability to continue supply of our complete product range within our normal delivery times.

We have received significant orders for a new dedicated Trim and Heel monitoring and display solution, plus several notable orders for Naval Vessel refits and upgrades. In addition, we have received repeat orders for complete tank level solutions for several mega yachts.

With international travel reopening up after the pandemic, we attended two of the largest marine Industry exhibitions, NorShipping and SMM, under the umbrella of Scanjet Marine.

We were successfully audited by LRQA and Intertek against international standards for ISO9001:2015 quality management systems and BS EN ISO/IEC 80079-34 quality management systems for Intrinsically Safe product manufacture.

Locally, we continue to support schools through the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) programme helping raise the profile of Engineering as a profession.

We are pleased and proud to support and provide STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) Ambassadors for the 2022 Mid Sussex Challenge. Our role will involve us acting as mentors, working with the school to share our knowledge and showing the students what it’s like to work in industry.

The students have been set a project to research, develop, and build a remote-control vehicle that can navigate a large and complicated obstacle course. Teams are provided with a list of specifications they must meet, such as artificial intelligence, camera attachment and a motorised chassis, to ensure their vehicle is up to the test.

STEM education provides an excellent grounding for students who wish to pursue a career in engineering, scientific research, chemistry or medicine. There is currently a STEM skills shortage in the UK workforce, so engaging activities like the STEM Challenge have an important role to play in inspiring the next generation to develop these important skills.

Students from every local senior school and college gathered in the Mid Sussex District Council Chamber on Friday 30 September for the launch of the Mid Sussex STEM challenge 2022 and we were delighted to meet with this years’ students and look forward to working with them and then seeing their remote-controlled vehicles in action!

Targeted at smaller Vessels, our DGTS provides an integrated solution with a central display communicating digitally via RS485 to a network of connected sensors, providing a simple to instal system with significant savings on cabling and commissioning time

We have subsequently seen installations of our DTGS completed and further expansion of the systems capabilities meaning it now provides a scalable solution for Vessels of all sizes.

At the heart of the tank gauging system is our VPM family of data acquisition and processing hardware which is now available in three basic types:

For Smaller Vessels – VPM

For vessels such as Tugs, Work boats and Yachts where typically there are 10 – 20 tanks requiring monitoring and space is limited the VPM is packaged with an integral 7” touchscreen display.  The VPM connects to Scanjet PSM’s APT1000 transmitters installed in each tank via a simple to install RS485 multi-drop network, where a single 4 core cable carries both power and communication lines to the transmitters. This 4-core cable is run between Scanjet PSM’s RFM termination modules creating a simple “backbone” to which APT1000 transmitters are connected. For installations requiring Intrinsically Safe certification a single RFM ISR safety barrier protects the entire network.

If indication is required at additional points, further VPM displays (up to 6 in total) can be added. These are interconnected via a dedicated Ethernet link and share all data meaning the contents of all tanks can be displayed at all points. These additional VPM’s can act simply as displays but may also have their own connected APT1000 transmitters. This flexibility ensures that expensive and time-consuming cabling is kept to a minimum.

Each VPM can also output tank status via a second RS485 Serial port using standard Modbus RTU protocol. This can be connected to other onboard systems, e.g., Alarm Monitoring Systems, Loading Computer.

For Larger Systems – VPM+

For larger vessels, or systems where a more comprehensive display is required, the same architecture is used to directly connect to the APT1000 transmitters and the VPM with the integral 7” touchscreen is used as signal acquisition and processing unit, as well as providing a local display.

Additional firmware introduces the capability of adding larger remote display(s). As many remote displays as required can be added, all connected via an Ethernet network back to the VPM. The remote display hardware can be any type of device with an ethernet connection and capable of running a web browser. Typically, this will be a 19 to 24” touchscreen display with a small Hub to handle communications.

The remote displays are not reliant on Windows operating system providing a more cost effective and reliable approach to using a PC based solution.

Adding to the flexibility and expandability of this solution is a range of signal input modules. These modules allow measurement instruments other than the APT1000 level transmitter to be connected to the system. These modules have embedded intelligence and process the signals from connected instruments, translating all information into Modbus RTU format.

Modules include

• 12 channel Radar transmitter Cargo level Inputs
• 12 channel 4-20mA transmitter inputs
• 8 channel RS485 input module where each RS485 input can connect to a further module that accepts up to 14 PT1000 temperature sensors.

All input modules incorporate Zener Safety Barriers for Intrinsically Safe installation meaning external additional Barriers are not needed.

Fully Featured Systems – VPMS

Where the system requires a significant number of input points, for example a Tanker where all ballast tanks, service tanks, cargo tanks, cargo temperature cargo overpressure, vapour lines, cargo lines, draught, are to be monitored then a more comprehensive display is needed for clarity.

In this case the central module provides the same acquisition and processing function but in a repackaged format with additional RS485 communication ports and dual Ethernet connection as well as integral configurable status and alarm relays. It has the same flexible choice of input cards and remote displays as the VPM+ providing infinite expansion of the system.

The second Ethernet port also allows for external connection to other systems and / or via the Internet, and the additional RS485 ports allow for onboard connection to multiple external systems such as Loading Computers, VDR, AMS.

With larger systems each project is considered based on its overall needs and will be packaged accordingly.

Successes to date

So far in 2021 VPM systems have been supplied for several Tug projects and the first of 5 Systems for Naval Corvettes built in Navantia, Spain has been commissioned.

Multiple VPM+ systems have been delivered for refit applications as diverse as Fishing Vessels, Ferries, and Naval Tankers.

The VPMS solution will form the basis of the forthcoming Scanjet Connect system which will require a full suite of Marine certification and approvals. All independent EMC and Environmental tests have been concluded and recently DNV successfully conducted witnessed factory testing of the functional aspects of the system for Type Approval Certification for which we now await formal approval. This approval will include MED certification as required for Passenger Vessel SRTP requirements.

With many further proposals under discussion Scanjet PSM’s new solutions are proving to be precisely what the market is looking for, both for retrofit and newbuild projects.

If you have a requirement, to find out more, please download our VPM Systems Brochure.

We are delighted to announce that, working closely with our Canadian agent BEP Bestobell, we have secured an instrumentation order for the newbuild Joint Support Ship being built by Seaspan shipyard for the Royal Canadian Navy.

This is the first of two such vessels being constructed for the Royal Canadian Navy, the delivery of the first is scheduled for 2023.

With a length of 173.7 metres and a breadth of 24 metres, this multi-purpose Naval Vessel will be the largest ever constructed in Canada, and has a significant instrumentation requirement with more than 140 level & pressure transmitters, more than 30 flood detection switches, and associated termination modules. We are also expecting a future order for all tank level alarm switches.

The level transmitters we have supplied are our latest generation APT1000 configurable transmitters, which we have already equipped on a number of other Naval Vessel projects to great success. The APT1000 is manufactured from a choice of corrosion resistant materials, is capable of withstanding the toughest operating conditions, and is certified according to ATEX and IECEx regulations for installation in hazardous areas, making it the idea choice for this type of vessel.

As we approach the end of the year, we are delighted to announce a prestigious project win with our longstanding partner and distributor in China, Marinetec, supplying PSM sensors to China Oilfield Services Limited (COSL) for eight new build vessels at the Wuchang shipyard.

Working closely with Marinetec and the local expertise and knowledge they bring to projects, we have supplied over 500 of our Marine Type Approved APT500 sensors as a complete package to the 4000HP LNG Powered PSV vessels for all ballast, fresh water, fuel and lube oil service tanks and draught measurement.

Our APT500 sensors are fully certified for use in hazardous areas under ATEX and IECEx, and COSL recognised that they will provide a rugged and reliable solution for the harsh marine environments that these new vessels will need to be able to withstand.

We are delighted to have recently been awarded an order from Turquoise Yachts in Turkey for a complete vessel-wide monitoring system.

Our VPM display and APT1000 transmitters are recognised across the industry for their flexibility and ease of installation, and this was well illustrated with this luxury yacht project.

A total of four of our VPM display units are to be fitted, interconnected via an ethernet network and sharing date on all monitored tanks. Our APT1000 transmitters will be installed in all tanks and connected directly to the nearest VPM unit via a multi-drop RS485 network. This bespoke arrangement minimises the use of system cabling, whilst still providing the possibility to display all tanks at all locations.

In addition, one of the VPM’s will connect to the vessels alarm monitoring system via a direct RS485 link and so provide continually updated tank status.

Completing the Tank Gauging package, PSM Series 600 Self-Powered Content Gauges fitted to all tanks will provide an independent local content indication. Also level alarm switches fitted to critical tanks will provide low / high alarm warnings.

We are delighted to have this opportunity to work with Turquoise Yachts and the complete system will be delivered pre-configured with all tank table data and display requirements providing a plug and play solution, meaning very little time will be required for installation and commissioning of the system.