AXI International was presented with an exciting challenge by two prominent marine industry partners: Jarrett Bay Boatworks and Boening USA. They were building a new 68-foot Sportfish Renegade yacht and needed a state-of-the-art, fully integrated fuel management system. The core of the project was to take our standard FPS MX-F fuel polishing unit and transform it into a system with dual functionality—one that could both polish and transfer fuel.
The original design of our FPS MX-F system was an effective, standalone unit for automated fuel polishing. However, it wasn't designed to transfer fuel between the yacht's four tanks, nor was its control system integrated with Boening's Vessel Management System (VMS). The existing manual processes required crew members to manage fuel operations from the engine room, which was inefficient and lacked the centralized control our clients desired. The need for a more comprehensive solution was clear, especially given the importance of managing weight distribution for yacht trim.
To meet these needs, we engineered the TAP (Transfer and Polishing) FPS system. We began by thoroughly assessing the yacht's existing four-tank, two-engine design and its manual fuel manifold. Our engineering team developed a detailed plan to augment the system with a dedicated transfer pump and new motor-operated valves (MOVs) to manage complex flow paths. We also incorporated a suite of sensors to provide real-time monitoring of tank levels and MOV operation. The new system would be controlled locally via a 7-inch touchscreen HMI in the engine room and, crucially, would be fully integrated with the Boening VMS at the bridge through Modbus TCP/IP communication.
This integration allows the yacht's crew to remotely manage both fuel polishing and transfer from the convenience of the helm. With just a few commands, they can initiate a fuel transfer, adjust fuel load to optimize the yacht's trim, or start/schedule a polishing cycle. The system's automated logic and comprehensive alarm system—which alerts the crew to issues like low flow, high vacuum, or tank overfill—ensures safety and prevents damage. The system even has a manual bypass function for local override when necessary.
The successful implementation of the TAP system represents a significant advancement in yacht fuel management. By working closely with Jarrett Bay Boatworks and Boening USA, we transformed a standalone unit into a streamlined, automated, and highly monitored process. This not only enhances convenience and safety for the crew but also contributes to improved engine reliability and indirect cost savings. We believe this project is a prime example of how innovative solutions can meet the evolving demands of modern yacht design and operation.
For a complete look at this successful collaboration and all the technical details, be sure to check out the full case study below.
