Man Machine Interface News

Since summer 2017, four vessels equipped with analog sonars have been upgraded using RTsys AS3i technology (Analog Surface Ship Sonar Improvement), which digitalized and improved the processing of signals rendered by sensors.Brittany-based company RTSYS does not only deals with AUV, subsea recorders and buoys, but can also display a full range of sonar systems such as handheld devices for divers or sonar retrofit. The latter of which led the French SME to lately offer in summer…

It’s no shock that decking, seating and other related equipment for ‘fast boats’ is a critical ingredient for maritime security personnel. A  shock mitigation strategy is essential for all craft that undertake open sea transits or operate in rough water. The definition of shock mitigation is, ‘to make a violent collision or impact less intense.’ The search for shock mitigation has created a range of solutions. Before that, however, criminal organizations capable of buying fast boats were most likely running something, or someone, illegal in from offshore.

ABS Chairman, President and CEO Christopher J. Wiernicki has taken part in a series of meetings with maritime industry stakeholders in his capacity as chairman of the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS). Together with IACS Secretary-General Robert Ashdown, Wiernicki also hosted a press conference at which he laid out the organization's work program for the coming year. Wiernicki assumed the chairmanship of IACS in July 2015 and will lead the organization at a challenging time for the industry. "Increasingly complex regulations, the advance of new technology and the increasing importance of the man-machine interface makes IACS' industry leadership more critical than ever in helping the industry manage these technical risks," says Wiernicki.

‘Finger-grip’ vessel control offering precise tactile feedback may seem radical for those accustomed to conventional levers, but the combination is proving a focus for those considering SeaQ Bridge, the new bridge concept from VARD. Functionally and ergonomically, the pad-like ‘levers’ integrated in the SeaQ Propulsion Control fit perfectly in the hand and provide customizable haptic feedback. ‘Below the plate’, the unique man-machine interface in enabled by technology from Lilaas, which has adapted its breakthrough LO1 control technology to deliver the advanced touch sensitive functionality required. VARD says that its objective has been to deliver controls that report high-level data instantly, “reducing the user’s cognitive load” to enhance performance in high-pressure situations.

iPad In-App Environments Provide a Wealth of Safety and Assessment Capabilities Capannoli, Italy – NavPlay, an innovative manufacturer of iPad apps for boaters, announced today its full-featured notification system. Comprised of Alarm Manager which notifies boaters through their iPads if preset conditions are met, the Diagnostics environment which checks the status of instruments via a WiFi connection, Safety Life which automatically texts alarms to a mobile phone and AIS compatibility for enhanced situational awareness and collision avoidance, NavPlay’s new notification system provides boaters with a wealth of information to keep them apprised of their situation and avoid problems before they occur.

As Roberto P. Cazzulo, RINA, steps down as the Chairman of the IACS Council, Maritime Reporter caught up with him to discuss the current state and future direction of global class. Given your experience, aside from the creation of IACS, what has been the most important change to the way in which “class” has conducted its business in the past 20 years? In my view, it is the Quality System Certification Scheme (QSCS) adopted by IACS in 1991. Quality is a pillar for IACS. The scheme…

Maritime training provider Seagull announced the release of an equipment specific training module for Japan Radio Co Ltd (JRC)’s ECDIS systems. Developed in close cooperation with JRC, one of the world’s leading ECDIS manufacturers, this latest addition to Seagull’s extensive library of eLearning modules is designed to provide navigators with equipment specific familiarisation training for the JRC ECDIS (JAN- 701B, JAN-901B, JAN-2000, JAN-901M and JAN-701). Targeting deck officers, the new course will allow shipowners and operators with JRC ECDIS on board their ships to meet the recently introduced regulatory requirement for equipment specific training in addition to generic ECDIS training.

Norway-based Seagull AS introduced an equipment specific training module for Japan Radio Co Ltd (JRC)’s ECDIS systems. Developed in close cooperation with JRC, one of the world’s leading ECDIS manufacturers, this latest addition to Seagull’s extensive library of computer-based training (CBT) modules is designed to train navigators in the use of the JRC 701B, 901B and JAN-2000 series ECDIS. Targeting deck officers, the new course will allow shipowners and operators with JRC ECDIS…

iXBlue has launched the next generation of its underwater global acoustic positioning system (GAPS), designated GAPS-NG. The manufacturers say that GAPS-NG, like its predecessor GAPS, is a truly portable and precalibrated ultra-short baseline positioning system (USBL) that incorporates INS and GPS technologies. The system is designed to work in demanding environments, notably acoustically challenging and/or extremely shallow waters, where other systems commonly fall down. “Our overall aim with the new system was to make life even better for the user…

While there are countless new product, system and service launches at major trade fairs such as the recently concluded SMM in Hamburg, Germany, when a company with the stature of Furuno unveils a system, it is a show within the show. Furuno, a $1 billion business with 80% coming from the marine sector and 2500 employees globally in the marine sector, introduced its new ECDIS models FMD-3200 and FMD-3300, saying they are ready for launch during the autumn 2012. The FMD-3200, with a 19-in. LCD, and the FMD-3300, with a 23.1-in.

The recently launched Oil Spill Radar by Consilium Marine & Safety was tested together with the Norwegian Coastal Administration and the Norwegian Clean Seas Association For Operative Companies (NOFO). Within months since the successful tests last July, the Consilium Oil Spill Detection Radar is celebrating a breakthrough by responding to an increasing demand. The Oil Spill Detection Radar is being used on the Finnish Icebreaker Kontio, commissioned as stand-by Vessel for EMSA (European Maritime Safety Agency)…

Kongsberg Maritime's simulation division and Vestfold University College has signed a framework agreement to further explore activities and projects of joint interest within research and development of maritime simulators from an innovation and human factor perspective. The agreement which was signed 22nd December 2010 comprises extensive R&D project plans and the use of an Interactive Simulator Laboratory (SIMSAM lab) at Vestfold University College, which will serve as a R&D facility. The agreement will include several R&D projects involving maritime simulators in different aspects.

HPI, LLC, a supplier of turbine control solutions and turnkey power plants, announced a project award to install a Propulsion Control System (PCS) aboard the USNS Roy Wheat. HPI was contracted by Keystone Shipping a ship management company for the US Navy. The USNS Roy Wheat is one of the Military Sealift Command's thirteen Container & Roll-on/Roll-off Ships and is part of the 32 ships in Military Sealift Command's Prepositioning Program. HPI is working closely with the Military Sealift Command towards developing a replacement propulsion machinery control and monitoring system based on the latest generation of ABS Approved Commercial Off the Shelf PLC’s and other automation components.

MX Marine has unveiled a new family of marine GPS/DGPS products, which are designed to provide a flexible and expandable platform for the next generation of integrated navigation and marine information systems. The new MX500, MX510 and MX520 GPS control/display systems are being introduced by MX Marine to work with the MX521 smart antenna or MX525 black box receiver, providing a highly accurate integrated navigation solution that meets the latest international standards for GPS/DGPS, including Receiver Autonomous Integrity Monitoring (RAIM). The new-generation MX500, MX510 and MX520 are the first marine GPS systems to incorporate a common platform with the powerful Intel X-Scale 200 MHz processor with 16 MB Flash and 64 MB SDRAM memory, upgradeable to 400 MHz and 128 MB RAM.

At the Europort 2003 exhibition in Amsterdam last month, MX Marine debuted its new family of marine GPS/DGPS products, a family of products designed to provide a flexible and expandable platform for the next generation of integrated navigation and marine information systems. "These three new GPS products represent the leading edge of the new wave in marine navigation technology," said David Ritblatt, president of MX Marine. "The MX500, MX510 and MX520 will take the concept of integrated navigation systems to the next level, serving as the platform for a fully integrated marine information center." The new MX500, MX510 and MX520 GPS control/display systems are being introduced by MX Marine to work with the MX521 smart antenna or MX525 black box receiver…

A study commissioned by Lloyd's Register and conducted by Ocean Shipping Consultants has determined that major investment will be required in feeder and shortsea containerships through to the end of the decade, in support of surging development in the trade and in the size of the deepsea mainline vessels. Over 25 percent of today's worldwide boxship fleet, and nearly 60 percent of the present orderbook, is in the post-Panamax category, and it appears ever more likely that the industry will see the first 12,500-TEU vessels before 2011. "The demand for big ships will clearly lead to higher demand for transhipment," said David Tozer, Lloyd's Register's Business Manager, Container Ships.

Power systems specialist Rolls-Royce now derives nearly $1.5 billion of total annual sales of $8.7 billion from the marine market, and an important element of its growth strategy in the marine domain is the development of its electrical capabilities, products and technology. The increasing use of electrical drives and other sub-systems, and a move towards highly automated, integrated shipboard networks, is evident in both the commercial and naval sectors, in the technology-intensive, specialized vessel categories which form the group's heartland business areas. The success of electrical power and propulsion systems in application to high capacity cruise vessels has proved to be one of the most significant technological developments in commercial shipping over the past decade and a half…

Expanding the Suezmax fleet and greater involvement in carrying oil products are among the ambitions being pursued by theTeekay Tanker Services (TTS) business unit of Teekay. "At the same time, we're working to expand our strong Aframax position," said TTS Vice President Peder Farmen, who heads the product transport sector of TTS from the group's Norwegian office in Stavanger. Teekay's conventional shipping operations in Norway have further diversified the company's fleet, the majority of which is comprised of Aframax vessels. Since Teekay's acquisitions of Bona Shipholding in 1999, Ugland Nordic Shipping in 2001 and Navion in 2002, Teekay has established itself as a leading tanker operator in the North Sea and Atlantic, in addition to the Pacific.

The events of September 11, 2001 will continue to have lingering effects on the world indefinitely. The most visible remnant in the maritime world is the drastically heightened sense of safety and security, as officials in countries around the globe seek to secure their borders from the threat of attack — either direct or covert — via ship. Many of the issues currently on the legislative fast track were already in the works pre-September 11. False crew documentation, enhanced vessel tracking and beefed-up harbor controls were much-discussed topic in previous years. As is the case more often than not, though, a disaster of some proportion is inevitably the impetus in moving from discussion to action.

Consilium Selesmar has launched their new SeLux TFT Display. The flexible and modular radar display follows a new and attractive design and works equally well both integrated in an IBS and as a stand-alone radar. The user-friendly man-machine interface is based on new software, enabling a flexible utilization, for instance by allowing traditional keyboard entries as well as track-ball/mouse instructions via user-defined windows. On-line help is given at any time, further simplifying the day-to-day use. Full ARPA configuration exceeding IMO recommendations enables tracking capability of up to 100 targets simultaneously. The new design was shown at SMM in Hamburg for the first time.