MARINE FAQs

Q: Do you supply sample bottles?

We provide a range of sample kits for oils and coolants, fuel, hydraulic fluid and fire water mist.  Click here to find out more.

In addition, we also supply a sample kit for the verification of bunkered fuel specifically for the superyacht sector - find out more here.

Q: When should I take fluid samples from my equipment?

You should sample at regular equipment operating hours (see your maintenance manual for recommendation), after a major repair or refit and also prior to sale or purchase of a boat.  In addition, take a look at the attached Typical Sampling Frequencies document. 

Q: Where should I take samples from?

Our Fluid Sampling Guidelines Best Practice document provides further information on taking samples.   

Q: How should I send the samples?

Please ensure that you have tightened the lid of the sample bottle properly and place in the outer transit tub or tube.  If several samples are batched together please ensure they are packaged suitably. 

It is essential that the sample label supplied with the kit is completed with ALL  information required and attached to the sample bottle it relates to.  Any missing information will potentially delay the analysis of the sample.  In addition, failure to provide all data can have a detrimental effect on the integrity of the report and jeopardise the trend analysis accuracy.

Send your sample(s) to one of our Laboratories, preferably via courier, and ensure the Customs Declaration/IATA - Not Restricted - address label (supplied with our kits) is clearly visible on the package.
 

Q: Have you received my sample?

Every sample is logged onto our system on arrival at the laboratory and is given a unique identification number. This number follows the sample right through the analysis programme and appears on our report to you as the Laboratory Reference.

Our online resource, webECHO, allows you to track the sample you submitted and locate the unique identification number, thereby allowing you to follow the analysis process and access your report as soon as it is available.

Q: How long does it take to get the results to me?

All samples, excluding fuels, are analysed and results reported within two working days. Due to the incubation time required to identify if there is microbial contamination, fuel samples are on a five working day turnaround.

Our services are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. If you need an urgent analysis, inform us prior to the arrival of the sample in our laboratory.

Q: How do I get my results?

Our reports are supplied as a PDF file which is sent to the designated recipients by email.
  
You can also view your analysis results through our online resource, webECHO™ allowing you to manage your equipment and access your latest trends and results in a single integrated portal.  To find out more click here.

Q: How will I know if my equipment has a problem and what action should I take?

A detailed analysis report is sent to you every time you send us a sample.

The report uses a simple colour coding to show the severity status of the results, e.g. Normal (Green), Early Warning (Yellow) and Advanced Warning (Red).

Recommendations are included in the report as well as trend data from previous analysis. If you require more information our engineers and analysts will be happy to help you, especially if you have an Advanced Warning.  

Q: Can I ask for technical advice in interpreting the results received?

Of course, we are here to help no matter what. If there are any results you do not understand, our technical advisers would be happy to explain these to you. Please contact us via our enquiry form or by telephone.

Q: Do you have quality assurance accreditation?

All of our laboratories hold ISO/IEC 17025:2017 accreditation.This is specifically for laboratories and cross references to all the clauses in ISO 9001:1994 and ISO 9002:1994 and in addition, covers further technical competence requirements that these standards do not include.  In addition, our UK and US laboratories hold ABS (American Bureua of Shipping) Service Supplier Status and our UK lab holds Lloyd's Register Service Supplier Status.

Click here to view our Certificates and Schedules of Accreditation.

Q: Why use Spectro | Jet-Care instead of another laboratory?

Spectro | Jet-Care has over 47 years’ experience of laboratory analysis at the highest level. This experience, plus ISO:17025 accreditation across all three laboratories, coupled with knowledgeable and qualified scientists, ensure customers receive reports that provide the very best and most intuitive early warning information to understand the health of their equipment.

Many oil compaies and OEMs with every resource available to them continue to use our laboratories as we remain at the peak of analysis technology with the constant updating of our laboratory equipment to ensure the best and most efficient service.

Finally, remember this important equation - the average main engine major mechanical failure requiring intervention (insurance underwriter data) is 27,000 times the cost of a single oil analysis that could have prevented it.

There is only one chance to avoid machinery failure - pick the best laboratory for a first class analysis service.