Autopilot Systems News

ClassNK has granted its Innovation Endorsement for Products & Solutions to a straight leg course control called “ACE Function” (ACE: Advanced Control for Ecology), which can be integrated with the autopilot systems, “PR-9000” and “PR-6000” offered by Tokyo Keiki Inc.“ACE Function” can automatically create a straight route and implement navigation at the shortest distance, only by setting the ship's current position and the heading of a destination. While navigating, it constantly estimates disturbances (tidal currents…

Sperry Marine has secured the contract to deliver complete navigation systems including its VisionMaster Net bridge, NAVIGAT gyrocompass, and NAVIPILOT 4500N autopilot for four vessels under construction for SAL Heavy Lift at WuHu shipyard, China. Sperry Marine’s VM Net bridge system provides connected navigation and can be supported remotely, reducing the requirement for in-person service calls, the company said.According to Sperry Marine, VM Net is designed for simplified deployment and increased system availability…

A vessel’s loss of steering led to an estimated $6 million in damages when it contacted a barge near New Orleans, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said Thursday.On July 12, 2021, the bulk carrier Jalma Topic was transiting upriver on the Lower Mississippi River when it lost steering and struck a stationary barge that was being used for office space. No injuries were reported.During the voyage, the rudder became stuck at port 10 degrees. According to the report,…

Sperry Marine has unveiled NAVIPILOT 4500N, a networked, self-tuning, fully adaptive heading control system. The first in a new series of autopilot systems, NAVIPILOT 4500N is designed to deliver improved course-keeping with reduced fuel consumption and a lower workload on the bridge, the company said.NAVIPILOT 4500N delivers the heading control performance that users expect from Sperry Marine, minimizing unwanted rudder motion and lowering drag, thereby saving fuel and contributing to greater efficiency.

Brunswick Corporation, in a move to to build on its ACES (Autonomy, Connectivity, Electrification & Shared Access) strategy to develop solutions to further improve boater experiences, named Jason Arbuckle to a newly formed role of Marine Autonomy Technology Lead. Arbuckle joined Mercury Marine in 1997 and has since advanced through the company, working to lead some of the company’s many award-winning innovative technology solutions. Throughout his career, Arbuckle has been instrumental…

With the new PilotStar NX, the German-based navigation company Raytheon Anschütz said it continues the path of simplifying autopilot handling in combination with superior steering performance. The new PilotStar NX combines steering accuracy known from the Anschütz autopilot systems with intuitive operation and a broad functional range. Its main characteristic is the large 7” touch TFT display, which, among others, offers graphical user support with heading and rudder plot as well…

The NMEA (National Marine Electronics Association) 2000 standards helped create a framework for safer, more reliable marine communications by streamlining the connectivity of boat engines, navigation, control, power distribution, water, waste and other mechanical and monitoring systems. Onboard connectivity translates into improved operator safety, better diagnostics, simplified maintenance and lower lifetime costs. Manufacturers recognize the value of electronics to distinguish their brand—and satisfy customers seeking connectivity at sea.

The German navigation system manufacturer Raytheon Anschütz was awarded a retrofit contract of steering gear control systems for two luxury cruise ships chartered by Noble Caledonia Ltd. The cruise ships will be retrofitted with the Anschütz NautoSteer AS advanced steering gear control system. Salén Ship Management, as the technical manager of the cruise ships Island Sky and Hebridean Sky, has decided to replace the manual steering gear control systems with a redundant NautoSteer AS steering gear control system from Raytheon Anschütz.

Raytheon Anschütz do Brasil reports a number of contract awards for the supply of gyro compass and autopilot systems to new offshore platform supply vessels built at Brazilian shipyards. The largest contract covers four shipsets, each with a fully equipped triple Standard 22 gyro compass system, repeater compasses and Anschütz PilotStar D autopilot system, for four newbuilt Platform Supply Vessels, followed by various contracts for DP2-classed gyro systems, dual gyro systems and various autopilot systems.

Raytheon Anschütz do Brasil reports a number of contract awards for the supply of gyro compass and autopilot systems to new offshore platform supply vessels built at Brazilian shipyards. The largest contract covers four shipsets, each with a fully equipped triple Standard 22 gyro compass system, repeater compasses and Anschütz PilotStar D autopilot system, for four newbuilt Platform Supply Vessels, followed by various contracts for DP2-classed gyro systems, dual gyro systems and various autopilot systems.

Last month, Yanmar Europe BV introduced its new Joystick Control System at the boot Düsseldorf 2013 show. This was the first introduction and demonstration to the European Powerboat market. Compared to other vessel control systems, the Yanmar Joystick Control System is unique as it is the only hydraulic solution available on the market delivering high performance at affordable cost. Yanmar Joystick Control System is superior in comfort, performance and cost. Wil Botman, Area Manager for the Marine Sales Department comments: “With the introduction of the Yanmar Joystick Control System modern boating becomes even more comfortable. Superior…

As a consequence of recent IMO regulations, shipowners are requested to improve energy efficiency of their ships’ operation with regard to various factors that drive fuel consumption and emissions. The German navigation system manufacturer Raytheon Anschütz addresses these requirements with their newly developed autopilot series NP 5000. As one of the first customers, the US-based Overseas Shipholding Group (OSG) has contracted Raytheon Anschütz for retrofitting existing autopilot systems on their fleet of oil tankers with the newly developed Anschütz NautoPilot 5300.

Electronics Leader Unveils Cost-Effective,Reliable and Easy-To-Use Heading Control System. Simrad Yachting announced today its new top-of-the line autopilot systems, the AP70 and AP80. International Maritime Organization (IMO) compliant and adaptive to wind and wave conditions, the systems provide complete heading and course control for a wide range of vessels. Both the AP70 and AP80 feature six independent work-profile settings to quickly enable the autopilot to operate with slow speed, maneuvering, net hauling and helicopter pick up to name a few. Redesigned with a new color interface and intuitive graphics, the autopilots are simple to install and easy to operate.

Electronics Leader Unveils New Multifunction Instrument for Coastal Cruising and Club Racing. B&G – the world leader in marine instruments, autopilot systems and tactical software solutions for the sailing market – announced today its next-generation instrument and autopilot solution – the Triton. Sporting a striking mechanical design and employing the same innovative interface developed for its Zeus multifunction navigation system, the B&G Triton T41 is a single, fully customizable, “do-it-all” display that offers sailors quick access to critical wind, depth, speed and autopilot information. The optional Triton Autopilot Controller connects to the T41 and provides full autopilot integration.

Simrad Yachting, a leader in the design and manufacture of world-class marine navigation, autopilot, radar, communications and fishfinding systems, announced that its innovative NSE multifunction display and professional-grade autopilot systems received multiple awards at the 2010 National Marine Electronics Association (NMEA) convention held in Seattle, Wash. Judged by a panel of experts organized by Boating Writers International (BWI), Simrad NSE with 2.0 software functionality received “Honorable Mention” in the event’s most prestigious category, the “NMEA Technology Award.” Continuing a long-standing tradition as an industry favorite, the Simrad AP24 and AP28 also received top honors for “Best Autopilot” as voted by NMEA members.

The National Marine Electronics Association (NMEA) is recognizing four marine electronics manufacturers for introducing their new NMEA 2000 compliant products at the 2002 NMEA Convention. The participating companies are Kvaser, Raymarine, Simrad, and Teleflex. Kvaser is introducing Kvaser Neptune hardware and software, which provides a gateway between maritime serial and CAN communications. It is equipped with two serial channels and one CAN channel to translate select NMEA 0183 formatted messages to their NMEA 2000 counterparts. In addition, select NMEA 2000 messages are translated to NMEA 0183 messages. With power provided by the NMEA 2000 bus, installation is as simple as mounting and connecting the communication channels.

Furuno USA, Inc. has been awarded a multi-year U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) contract valued at just over $5.5m. The contract for the Standard Navigation Acquisition Package (SNAP) ensures delivery of robust, reliable Furuno electronics for the US Coast Guard. The equipment is slated for the replacement of the aging radar systems on Coast Guard patrol and rescue boats. The SNAP contract comes on the heels of another USCG contract award secured by Furuno for over 100 of its full-featured, adaptive, NavPilot Autopilot systems. Each patrol and rescue boat will have a high-tech integrated navigation system based on Furuno's NavNet vx2 to make these boats state-of-the-art.