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Frequently asked questions

Clear answers about Maritime Systems, VIMMS, crew ID tags, whole-body vibration, Workboat Code 3, data and cognitive testing.

VIMMS · WBV · compliance · data

Maritime Systems

What does Maritime Systems do?
Maritime Systems is a British engineering and technology company specialising in vessel impact, motion and whole-body vibration monitoring. We combine marine engineering, sensing, live displays and fleet software.
Who is VIMMS intended for?
VIMMS is designed for operators of workboats, pilot boats, passenger craft, high-speed vessels, defence craft and other vessels where ride quality, impacts or crew exposure need to be understood.
Can we discuss a particular vessel or fleet?
Yes. Contact us to discuss the vessel, its operating profile, the people on board and the evidence you need. We can then propose an appropriate monitoring arrangement or demonstration.

The VIMMS system

What does VIMMS mean?
Vessel Impact and Motion Monitoring System.
What does VIMMS measure?
Depending on the installation, VIMMS can record whole-body vibration exposure, discrete impacts, vessel motion, speed, position, seat response and person-linked exposure history.
What information is available at the helm?
The rugged helm display provides live feedback against operator-defined thresholds, allowing the skipper to respond while speed, course or operating conditions can still be changed.
What can managers review later?
The VIMMS portal brings together journeys, daily exposure, impacts, position and operational context for individual, vessel and fleet review.
Can VIMMS be fitted to an existing vessel?
Yes. VIMMS can be configured for retrofit installations as well as new-build projects. The sensor and display arrangement is selected for the vessel, seating and monitoring objectives.
Does VIMMS replace a risk assessment?
No. VIMMS provides measurement, feedback and retained evidence. A competent person must still interpret the results, assess the risk and decide what controls are appropriate.

WBV and impacts

What is the difference between impact monitoring and WBV monitoring?
Impact monitoring identifies individual shock events. Whole-body vibration monitoring evaluates frequency-weighted exposure accumulating over time. They are related, but they are not interchangeable.
Can a low impact count mean WBV exposure is low?
Not necessarily. Moderate vibration sustained over a working period can create significant exposure even when few severe impacts are recorded.
Which WBV values does VIMMS report?
VIMMS supports recognised ISO 2631-1 measures including frequency-weighted RMS, vibration dose value (VDV) and daily exposure A(8), together with measurement coverage and journey context.
What are the UK exposure values?
UK maritime vibration regulations use an eight-hour daily exposure action value of 0.5 m/s² A(8) and an exposure limit value of 1.15 m/s² A(8). These values inform action; they do not replace investigation of the operating conditions.

Workboat Code 3

What does Workboat Code Edition 3 require?
Section 22.3.4 requires ambient sea conditions and whole-body vibration to be continually assessed throughout the voyage. Additional requirements apply to vessels intending to operate at high speed or in a planing mode.
Does ‘continually assessed’ prescribe continuous electronic measurement?
The Code states the assessment duty but does not prescribe one particular monitoring technology or calculation method. VIMMS provides continual measurements and retained operational evidence to support that assessment.
How does VIMMS support the duty?
VIMMS combines live feedback with time-synchronised WBV, impacts, speed, position, vessel motion and seat measurements. This helps operators identify when exposure occurred and investigate the conditions that caused it.
Does installing VIMMS automatically prove compliance?
No single product automatically certifies compliance. VIMMS supports the evidence and review process, while the operator remains responsible for risk assessment, suitable controls, competent interpretation and the wider regulatory duty.

Crew ID tags

How does VIMMS know who is occupying a seat?
Each crew member carries a compact Bluetooth ID tag. When that person occupies a monitored seat, the tag communicates with the VIMMS seat sensor and receiver so the system can associate the exposure measured at that seat with the correct crew record.
What personal information does the tag collect?
The tag broadcasts a unique identifier; it does not record the person’s name, health information or vibration exposure. Within the secured VIMMS system, the identifier is assigned to the authorised crew record. The seat sensor collects the physical measurements, and VIMMS links the relevant period of seat occupation to that person.
Why does VIMMS not measure WBV using an accelerometer in the tag?

A loose, body-worn tag is not a reliable measurement point for whole-body vibration:

  1. A tag carried in loose clothing does not accurately follow the vibration transmitted through the body’s skeletal and muscular structures.
  2. Handling the tag—or dropping it onto a desk or another hard surface—could create false acceleration events unrelated to exposure on the vessel.
  3. Continuous acceleration measurement would require substantially more power and regular recharging, making the system less dependable if tags were not charged correctly.

VIMMS therefore measures vibration at the purpose-designed seat installation and uses the tag only to identify the occupant.

Where should crew carry the tag?
The operator should adopt one fleet-wide carrying policy so the tag is consistently close to the receiver fitted to the seat. For example, if seat receivers are installed on the right-hand side, all crew should keep their tag in the right-hand pocket while on board. The agreed position should be included in induction and operating procedures.
Do crew ID tags need charging?
No. Each tag uses a fixed, non-rechargeable internal battery with a service life of at least one year under normal operating conditions. Tags are replaced as part of the planned service interval rather than relying on crew members to recharge them.

Data, access and security

Who owns VIMMS customer data?
The customer retains ownership of its vessel telemetry, journey records, configuration information and other Customer Data. The full position is set out in our Legal terms.
Who can see the records?
Access is controlled through tiered user and management roles so users see only the vessels and information appropriate to their responsibilities. Health-related and cognitive records are restricted to approved medical personnel.
How may Maritime Systems use customer data?
We may host, process and analyse Customer Data to provide, secure, maintain and support the service. Controlled research or product-development datasets must have direct identifiers removed, subject to the customer agreement and our published terms.
Are medical and cognitive records used for general product research?
Not unless that use has been separately agreed and is supported by an appropriate lawful basis and privacy information. Special-category personal data is treated separately from general operational data.

Cognitive testing and training

What is the cognitive testing service?
It connects structured cognitive assessment results with the relevant journeys, impacts and WBV exposure history for the individual, allowing authorised reviewers to consider changes in operational context.
Does the assessment require a clinical setting?
No. The guided assessment is web based and can be completed on a suitable connected device at home, in an office or in another quiet working environment.
Does VIMMS diagnose a medical condition?
No. VIMMS organises exposure and assessment evidence for appropriately authorised review. Medical interpretation, diagnosis and treatment remain the responsibility of qualified healthcare professionals.
Is WBV awareness training available?
Our WBV Training page provides a practical introduction for crew and managers. Follow-up direct training is available through NextGen Marine.
How do I arrange a demonstration or ask another question?
Use the contact page, email info@maritimesys.com or call +44 (0) 2380 231 991.

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