North West Regional College’s (NWRC) Business Support Centre (BSC) has announced details of a new cross-border project with Killybegs-based marine engineering company, KER Group.
The 12 month project funded by the Co-Innovate Programme, which is supported by the European Union's INTERREG VA Programme, managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB), is aiming to develop a remote ship monitoring platform (RSM) for monitoring refrigeration systems, engine bilge pumps and other alarms onboard boats.
Cathal Ferry, Electronics & ICT Technical Consultant at NWRC explained: ‘’We’re looking forward to working with the KER Group on this innovative project via the Co-Innovate programme. We initially met with the company, discussed our plans for the project and engaged with Carolyne Murphy from Co-Innovate to see if this was viable. Once we were given the green light, we proceeded with the application part of the process and were delighted to hear that it was successful and thus the project was approved.
‘’We will assist the company and the Co-Innovate candidate in the development of the proposed RSM platform. We have expertise in the required areas and have completed projects requiring similar skillsets through programmes such as InterTradeIreland’s Innovation Boost, Co-Innovate, Knowledge Transfer Partnership, B2B, Innovation Vouchers etc.’’
Carolyne Murphy, Co-Innovate Programme said: “Co-Innovate are delighted to support this project which will create a unique innovative solution for the nautical sector and increase their product portfolio via utilising enhanced technical knowledge and proficiency through their Co-Innovate Programme partnership with NWRC.”
Eugene McBrearty, Managing Director at KER Group added: ‘’We believe that the completion of the proposed project will be very beneficial to us as there are presently no available systems that can integrate into a boat’s various systems. Current boat monitoring systems are installed on a local basis within a wheelhouse of a boat and provides critical information to the captain, first mate and crew, but this information can only be accessed by crew who are physically present onboard a boat. We have already had interest from a number of Irish boat operators who wish to use the proposed RSM system as well as interest from Norwegian operators who would also like to avail of the proposed RSM platform.’’
For more information about how NWRC’s Business Support Centre can help your business email businesssupport@nwrc.ac.uk or to find out more about the InterTradeIreland Co-Innovate programme visit https://co-innovateprogramme.eu/
