JF Mimic have recently fulfilled an order for the Mimic Condition Monitoring Software on-board the RV Alliance, a NATO research vessel managed by Anglo-Eastern Ship Management which has lately completed a modification and upgrade programme.

The RV Alliance’s former charters include ocean archaeology, historical and environmental investigation, and marine mammal research. The vessel has even been chartered for a major motion picture transforming into ‘The Hennessey’ for the project. The film, entitled The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou, was directed by Wes Anderson starring Bill Murray, Owen Wilson, Cate Blanchett and was released in 2004.

The NATO Underwater Research Centre (NURC) is one of three research and technology organisations in NATO, conducting world class maritime research in support of NATO's operational and transformation requirements. The type of research conducted relates to anti-submarine warfare, mine warfare and military oceanography and requires reliable ships operating reliable machinery to complete a heavy research work load.

The Research vessel (RV) Alliance was selected for the exchange of software and an installation of the new Mimic Condition Monitoring Software. The Mimic system was installed, with a full asset list and vibration signature data collection specification over a 48 hour period during a routine maintenance period at her home base of La Spezia, Italy. Training for Mimic, along with the associated hand held vibration data collector was also conducted and crew members easily adapted to the new system.

NURC have selected to use the Mimic vibration modules with the option of future upgrades to include electronic logsheets, oil analysis and online monitoring.