Known for its cutting-edge maritime solutions, Tymor Marine is seeking up to 50 participants to take part in the beta phase of the technology trial. Mariners, surveyors, ship owners, and managers who are interested in using the tech can apply to trial the software in their own operating environment, with no obligation and zero cost.
Tymor’s DRFT MRKS software provides an accurate method of reading a vessel’s depth, allowing for an accurate measurement of the vessel’s displacement. It addresses a critical need for precision in ensuring the cargo loaded is recorded correctly, as well as contributing to the vessel’s stability and safe navigation. In addition to its primary function, the technology can also be applied to monitor tides, reservoir levels, and river depths, expanding its utility across various maritime operations.
For centuries, draft surveys—an essential measurement to determine the weight of a vessel and its cargo—have been conducted manually, relying on the judgment of the human eye. This traditional approach is susceptible to human error and environmental variables, which can lead to inaccurate readings. Even a minor misreading by just a couple of centimeters can lead to significant legal disputes over apparent, yet non-existent, cargo shortages.
(Video credit: Tymor Marine)
Beyond accuracy, traditional draft surveys also pose inherent health and safety risks to the seafarers who undertake them. The process can require them to approach the hull of a vessel or the underside of a floating structure, typically in a small boat, creating a hazardous working environment.
Tymor Marine originally developed DRFT MRKS to help its in-house naval architecture services team overcome the inherent challenges of conducting draft surveys. With support from the economic development agency Scottish Enterprise, Scotland’s innovation center CENSIS, and the University of Edinburgh, the company optimized the software’s deep learning capabilities, ensuring it could accurately interpret draft marks even under difficult conditions. The AI-driven solution also mitigates issues such as faded or rusted markings, poor lighting, marine growth, bad weather, and wave swell.
Crucially, the video capture feature allows for data collection from a safer distance, whether by a mariner using a handheld device or a drone, significantly reducing the health and safety risks associated with traditional methods.
Kevin Moran, managing director of Tymor Marine, said: “With this beta phase launch of DRFT MRKS, we are taking another significant step towards modernizing draft surveys, a process that has remained largely unchanged for centuries. Our goal is to eliminate human error and enhance safety, making operations more efficient and reliable. We invite vessel operators to join us in this beta trial and experience firsthand how this groundbreaking technology can transform their operations.”
With offices in Aberdeen and Glasgow in the UK and Lafayette in the US, Tymor Marine is a leading maritime consultancy offering both state-of-the-art technology solutions and traditional naval architecture services. Founded by former seafarer Kevin Moran and esteemed academic Professor Colin MacFarlane, the firm continues to push the boundaries of maritime innovation.
