POSSEIDON addressed the development of a complete sensor-based processing unit that can continuously monitor a ship's lubricated systems to provide scrutiny over serviceable life enabling crews to predict degradation, anticipate problems and take remedial action before damage and failure occurs.

This extends engine lifetime, avoid loss of performance and can prevent catastrophic failures. There are also environmental benefits as the optimisation of lube oil reduces the quantity of spent lubricant destined for disposal (2 million tons/year).

POSSEIDON monitored the main lube oil properties (viscosity, water-in-oil, base number and total impurities) that indicate degradation and contamination. This provides more precise understanding of actual engine status and timely scheduling of remedial actions incorporating proactive maintenance towards condition monitoring. These include replenishment for optimising lube oil conditions for engine operation, worn component replacement to suit the vessel's schedule and surveys based on real conditions as opposed to arbitrary time periods.

An important objective was to reduce/eliminate dependence on land-based analysis and vulnerability to sudden contamination. The unique operating environment aboard a ship provides the challenge of integrating shipboard data management and expert/control systems, including transmission to and from remote locations.