Practical Engineering for Real Marine Challenges

Helm provides and coordinates marine engineering and naval architecture services for new and existing vessels.

Depending on the assignment, services may include:

Helm can provide focused technical expertise for a specific requirement or coordinate multidisciplinary engineering resources for larger projects.

• Marine engineering
• Naval architecture
• Machinery and propulsion systems
• Auxiliary systems
• Electrical and automation systems
• Structural modifications
• Vessel arrangements
• Stability and weight considerations
• System integration
• Equipment selection and replacement
• Design review
• Technical calculations and analysis
• Technical documentation
• Regulatory and classification support

Good engineering begins with an accurate understanding of the vessel, its systems and the conditions in which the work must be completed.

Helm provides vessel inspections, surveys and technical assessments to help owners understand existing conditions, identify deficiencies and establish appropriate technical requirements.

Findings can be used to support maintenance planning, vessel acquisition, engineering development, refit planning, procurement and lifecycle decisions.

• Vessel condition assessments
• Machinery and systems inspections
• Technical surveys
• Pre-refit inspections
• Existing equipment assessments
• Failure and deficiency investigation
• Suitability assessments
• Technical due diligence
• Existing drawing and documentation review
• Regulatory and classification considerations
• Repair and replacement recommendations
• Scope development

Vessel requirements change throughout their operating lives.

New equipment, changing operations, regulatory requirements, obsolescence and evolving technology can require significant modifications to existing vessels and systems.

Helm can support vessel modification and conversion projects from initial assessment through engineering and implementation.

The objective is not simply to install new equipment, but to ensure that the resulting system works effectively within the vessel as a whole.

• Requirements definition
• Feasibility assessment
• Existing system review
• Concept development
• Equipment selection
• Engineering and design
• System integration
• Structural and machinery modifications
• Electrical and control system integration
• Regulatory and classification review
• Technical specifications
• Installation support
• Testing and commissioning

Major refits and vessel life extensions require decisions about which systems should be repaired, replaced, upgraded or redesigned—and how that work can be completed within available schedule, budget and regulatory constraints.

Helm supports owners in defining, engineering and delivering complex refit and vessel life-extension programs.

Helm can remain involved from early project definition through shipyard execution and return to service.

• Vessel condition assessment
• Work scope development
• Engineering investigations
• Equipment replacement strategies
• Machinery and system upgrades
• Obsolescence management
• Regulatory and classification requirements
• Design development
• Technical specifications
• Shipyard work packages
• Procurement support
• Engineering support during construction
• Technical issue resolution
• Testing, trials and commissioning

A successful marine procurement depends on clear, technically accurate and practical requirements.

Helm develops technical specifications and Statements of Work that translate owner requirements and existing vessel conditions into defined, executable work.

Our approach considers not only what the owner requires, but how the work will actually be tendered, executed, inspected and accepted.

• Existing condition and interference requirements
• Scope of work
• Engineering requirements
• Material and equipment requirements
• Regulatory and classification requirements
• Inspection requirements
• Quality assurance
• Testing and acceptance criteria
• Documentation and deliverables
• Owner-furnished information and equipment
• Contractor responsibilities
• Technical approval requirements
• Commissioning and close-out requirements

Changes to one vessel system frequently affect several others.

Equipment replacement, automation upgrades, machinery changes and vessel conversions require careful consideration of interfaces with existing mechanical, electrical, control, structural and operational systems.

The objective is to ensure that individual components function effectively as part of the complete vessel.

• Machinery integration
• Propulsion and auxiliary systems
• Electrical systems
• Automation and controls
• Monitoring and alarm systems
• Equipment interfaces
• Existing system integration
• Communications between vessel systems
• Installation requirements
• Testing and commissioning
• Documentation and configuration considerations

Owners do not always need another designer. Sometimes they need experienced technical professionals capable of reviewing what is being proposed on their behalf.

Helm can provide independent technical review of designs, drawings, calculations, equipment selections, technical submissions and proposed solutions.

This service can be particularly valuable during procurement, detailed design, construction and major vessel modification projects.

• Design review
• Drawing review
• Technical submission review
• Equipment evaluation
• Specification compliance review
• Constructability considerations
• Regulatory and classification review
• Technical clarification
• Design change assessment
• Technical risk identification
• Owner recommendations

Regulatory and classification requirements should be considered throughout engineering—not addressed after the design has been completed.

Helm incorporates applicable regulatory, classification and certification requirements into technical assessments, engineering development, specifications, design reviews and testing programs.

Where specialist regulatory expertise is required, Helm can integrate regulatory and classification professionals directly into the project team.

• Identification of applicable requirements
• Transport Canada Marine Safety considerations
• Classification society requirements
• Design approval requirements
• Technical submissions
• Inspection requirements
• Testing and certification requirements
• Compliance documentation
• Regulatory and classification coordination
• Technical resolution of compliance issues

Completion of installation does not necessarily mean completion of the project.

Testing and commissioning demonstrate that equipment and systems have been installed correctly, perform as intended and satisfy the owner's technical and acceptance requirements.

Our involvement can begin during development of the testing requirements and continue through final acceptance and return to service.

• Factory Acceptance Testing
• Installation inspections
• Harbour Acceptance Testing
• Dock trials
• Sea trials
• System commissioning
• Performance verification
• Deficiency identification and resolution
• Regulatory and classification witnessing requirements
• Acceptance documentation
• Final technical close-out