Monitoring & Control – Essentials For The Marine Industry

Marine Aids to Navigation play a critical role in ensuring the safe and efficient movement of vessels in and around waterways. The co-ordination of the maritime domain, particularly in ports, harbours and high traffic channels, is enhanced with access to real time data. Failure to action can result in collision or grounding of vessels, damage to marine ecosystems and/or risk to human life.

Electronic monitoring and control has been around a number of years and each serves a purpose for different reasons:

GSM monitoring and control utilises the mobile network to connect wirelessly to the Aid to Navigation, and a user portal to obtain feedback on the status of the asset. This technology is based on the Short Message Service (SMS), and is subject to the coverage and performance of the local mobile network. Users can access lantern information with some control functionality.

AIS utilises the VHF network with a line of sight range,  using Type 1 and Type 3 units, to broadcast crucial Message 21 information to mariners. AIS overcomes language barriers and provides up to date information that can be used in conjunction with navigational chart information. It also allows some control functionality including changing a lantern flash character, ON/OFF activation and intensity setting adjustments.

GPS Synchronisation enables multiple lanterns positioned in a set area to flash in synchronisation using the GPS network. A leap in technology at the time, it provides mariners with an enhanced situational awareness with a clear line of sight and a visual course for entry; now a standard feature in AtoN products.

Bluetooth technology exchanges data over short distances using short wave UHF radio waves from fixed and mobile devices accessible via an App. When fitted to a lantern maintenance staff can safely monitor and control assets, by connecting remotely to check the operating performance of the lantern, battery life and log maintenance notes without having to physically access the AtoN.

Satellite – The Future of Monitoring and Control

Sealite SL-C510 Compact Marine Lantern with Satellite Connectivity

Two-way Satellite Connectivity is now available with the introduction of the new Sealite SL-C510 Compact Marine Lantern. A new era of AtoN monitoring and control, this newly released range incorporates all of the above functionality, but in addition offers full global coverage in real-time anywhere, anytime.

It is the first small form factor 5-9NM lantern in the mid-range space incorporating two-way global satellite technology, OLED display, Bluetooth^® connectivity and exclusive monitoring, control and reporting options. In addition, the SL-C510 is backed by Iridium^®, the Low Earth Orbit global satellite network, accessible via the Star2M^® portal, and offers genuine pole-to-pole coverage.

The perfect communication partner for Sealite, this new technology provides the answer for customers looking for two-way real time data that is both seamless to access and at a relatively low cost to maintain.

Find out more about the SL-C510 by visiting the product page on our website.