Traditional monitoring systems often fall short in marine environments. Cabled setups are time-consuming to install, difficult to retrofit, and rarely practical when access is tight or downtime is limited. As pressure grows to do more with fewer resources, engineers are rethinking how vibration and temperature monitoring is deployed at sea.

Why traditional vibration sensors do not work well offshore

Conventional on-line vibration condition monitoring systems rely heavily on fixed infrastructure. This involves permanently mounted sensors with long cable runs plus associated junction boxes and data acquisition units. While these setups can be effective in onshore environments, they can present real challenges on ships and offshore platforms.

The availability of power for fixed installations and routing of a suitable network are another concern. On-line vibration monitoring systems assume constant connectivity or local servers, and network infrastructure is rarely available where it is needed in the marine environment unless it was installed when the vessel was commissioned.

The result? Significant financial outlay and disruption, or a continued reliance on handheld spot checks.

Walkaround wireless vibration monitoring systems are gaining ground. These reduce install time, avoid permanent modifications, and still deliver the data needed to make better maintenance decisions. Let’s look at this more closely.

What to look for in vibration monitoring equipment for marine use

Choosing the right vibration monitoring equipment is not about having the most features. It is about getting the right data, reliably, without adding workload to already stretched teams.

Marine conditions are harsh. Equipment must be sealed to withstand water and dust ingress, robust enough to deal with vibration and shock, and secure enough to remain mounted in areas that are constantly moving or difficult to access. Many failures in vibration monitoring systems stem not from the sensors themselves, but from poor installation or degraded cables.

In environments where access is limited and install time matters, combining triaxial vibration and temperature monitoring in one sensor reduces the number of devices needed. On a typical vessel monitoring twenty key assets, this can halve the sensor count with no loss of visibility or diagnostic capability.

Connectivity is another critical factor. With compartmentalised bulkheads, many vessels do not have reliable wifi or ethernet in machinery areas, so the monitoring equipment must be capable of delivering data on demand by syncing with a mobile device. Relying on onboard networks is often unrealistic.

The best condition monitoring equipment is not just rugged. It is built for the realities of shipboard life, where conditions are dynamic, resources are limited, and access is often a constraint.

The rise of wireless condition monitoring at sea

Wireless condition monitoring, including the use of wireless monitoring sensors, has evolved. Once seen as limited or unreliable offshore, it is now proven in field conditions.

Wireless systems are now reliable enough to function consistently in complex, steel-heavy environments. Technologies like Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) are specifically designed for short-range communication with low interference, making them better suited to marine environments than conventional wifi. Trials with WiVib X aboard commercial vessels have shown that signal strength and data transfer rates remain stable in confined machinery compartments even when there is significant pipework around.

Battery life is another area where wireless systems have made real progress. Sensors such as those used in WiVib X can run for several years on a single battery, depending on how frequently data is collected. Because they do not require constant transmission, the power demands are low and predictable meaning that the monitoring system itself requires little maintenance.

These systems are also designed to be used by crew members without specialist training. Using a ruggedised Android tablet , they guide users through the sensor data collection process during standard walk-around inspections. There is no need to connect to a laptop, configure a gateway, or interpret raw data streams. Just click SCAN … COLLECT, and then NEXT to move onto the next group of machines.

Importantly, wireless systems do not have to replace wired setups. In many cases, they complement them. Wireless vibration and temperature monitoring can fill the gaps – covering remote or high-risk assets, supporting short-term installs, or providing insight where permanent infrastructure is not feasible.

In short, wireless monitoring is no longer a compromise. It is a practical, proven, real-time vibration monitoring solution that aligns with the demands of modern marine operations.

WiVib X: a practical wireless vibration sensor built for shipboard use

WiVib X is not adapted from land-based systems – it is engineered specifically for use in marine environments with reliability in mind. This makes it genuinely practical where many other systems fall short.

WiVib X supports both walk-around data collector and gateway-based online monitoring. Gateway mode enables 24/7 automated measurements over ethernet or wifi, while the data collector mode uses a ruggedised tablet to gather data wirelessly.

Each sensor is self-contained and powered by a long-life battery, which eliminates the need for onboard power integration. They can be installed during a port stay or by crew-install alongside regular maintenance work without disrupting other systems, integrating perfectly into your predictive maintenance program. Configuration is intuitive and does not take much time.

Data is collected through the purpose-built Android app that interfaces with the fixed WiVib X wireless vibration sensors. Measurements can be viewed on the tablet but are then uploaded to the WiVibXTrend application for viewing, analysis, trending and alarming. This allows crew members to complete inspections, gather data, and conduct machinery assessment immediately and on a regular basis. Vibration levels, temperature readings and detailed frequency spectra are all available in-app. This makes it easier to visualise and track asset performance over time and spot early signs of wear or mechanical issues, easily integrating into a machinery maintenance program.

Full reports and exception reports (indicating only machines that are in alert or alarm) are available at the press of a button.

WiVib X delivers the core benefits of a full monitoring system without the infrastructure burden. It is a flexible tool that crews can use immediately, without training, delays, or additional risk, helping you to mitigate unexpected equipment failures.

Ready to see it for yourself?

Get in touch to request a trial or speak to our team about your condition monitoring needs.

FAQs: wireless vibration monitoring at sea

What is vibration monitoring in practical terms?
Collecting vibration data allows early detection of faults such as imbalance, misalignment, bearing wear or looseness. WiVib X helps you do that with less effort.

What is the difference between vibration monitoring and condition monitoring?
Vibration monitoring captures raw data. Condition monitoring interprets it to guide maintenance decisions and lengthen machine lifecycles. WiVib X supports both.

Can a wireless vibration monitor work in an engine room?
Yes. WiVib X uses BLE and has been tested in complex steel environments, even for difficult-to-reach or inaccessible machines.

How long do the batteries last?
Multiple years, depending on how often data is collected. Wivib X monitors are designed for low power consumption. The sensor reports when its battery needs to be changed. Batteries are standard stock in stores.

Can wireless systems replace fixed setups?
In many cases, yes. In others, they provide targeted coverage without needing a full system overhaul.

Can I get summary reports in order to schedule my maintenance tasks?
Yes. Reports are available instantly and detailed vibration spectra and time domain plots can be viewed at any time to examine the cause of issues.