Podcast: Strategies for extending vessel life and improving reliability

Bob Lennon of Regal Rexnord.

As vessel operators continue to extend the service lives of existing fleets, maintenance and reliability have become increasingly important considerations. Aging propulsion and auxiliary systems can present operational challenges, making it critical for operators to understand where failures occur, how downtime can be minimized, and when equipment upgrades make financial sense.

In the latest episode of Listen Up!, Marine Log speaks with Bob Lennon, industry manager at Regal Rexnord, about the realities of maintaining aging marine assets and the role that power transmission components play in vessel performance and reliability.

During the conversation, Lennon discusses where stress and wear are most commonly emerging in systems such as couplings, shaft lines, and auxiliary drives as vessels remain in service longer. He also examines the extent to which unexpected downtime can often be traced back to smaller components rather than major propulsion equipment.

The discussion explores common maintenance mistakes, practical steps operators can take to reduce downtime during repairs, and the component-level upgrades being adopted as part of propulsion retrofit projects. Lennon also shares insights into how operators can evaluate whether it makes more sense to repair, upgrade, or replace critical drivetrain components.

The episode offers practical perspectives for vessel owners, operators, maintenance managers, and engineering teams focused on improving reliability, extending vessel life, controlling costs, and maximizing the value of existing assets.

Listen to the full episode of Listen Up! on Spotify and SoundCloud.