Video Systems News

AMELS contracted Alewijnse Marine to perform the complete electrical systems installation on the first two vessels of its new range of Limited Edition AMELS 60 superyachts.The 60-meter long AMELS combines innovative naval architecture with hybrid propulsion technology.Alewijnse will deliver a total package of electrical installation and systems integration, encompassing an Integrated Bridge System, Audio-Video systems and IT network as well as the hybrid propulsion system.The electrical engineering phase is underway for the first AMELS 60.

Firefighting led a stream of topical debate at trade association Interferry’s 40th annual conference in Copenhagen last week – but not before a record 342 delegates came under fire from a leading Green politician claiming that ‘shipping is currently one of the unaddressed areas of air pollution’. Michael Cramer, German chair of the European Parliament’s transport and tourism committee, delivered a stinging opening address demanding that the ferry and shipping sectors become more environmentally sustainable. He said ‘most vessels are like hazardous waste incinerators because they burn heavy fuel oil which should be processed as highly toxic waste but is usually exhaled without sufficient filtering’.

The Stiletto Maritime Demonstration Program conducted its first Capability Demonstration, Jan. 14-27. The initial demonstration was hosted for the Navy Expeditionary Combat Command (NECC) off the Virginia coast near the Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek, Fort Story in Virginia Beach, Va. The Capability Demonstration provided NECC Sailors an opportunity to observe new technologies developed by industry in a realistic military maritime environment. The program also provided the 15 participating industry partners an opportunity to receive immediate end-user feedback toward increasing technology readiness levels. “Warfighting needs are rapidly changing…

The Stiletto Maritime Demonstration Program has conducted its first capability demonstration for the Navy Expeditionary Combat Command (NECC). The Stiletto is a unique, maritime demonstration craft developed by the Defense Department to test littoral warfare concepts. Engineers and technicians with specialized expertise in maritime technology from Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) Carderock's Norfolk detachment maintain and operate the 88-foot-long, composite-bodied, m-shaped vessel.

Many public safety dive teams, police and sheriffs departments, and government agencies are acquiring side scan sonar systems to assist in their underwater search and survey operations. Side scan is the ideal tool for these operations because it produces detailed images of the underwater environment regardless of water clarity. In addition, the sonar is able to search large areas quickly, scanning several hundred feet of ocean, lake, or river bottom with each pass of the boat. Side scan can easily locate a variety of targets including sunken boats, submerged vehicles, and drowning victims.

More universities and environmental groups are using underwater video systems to assist in their research and monitoring operations. These cameras can be very useful tools in studying benthic habitats and marine organisms, and to monitor the impact of pollution on the environment. Darling Marine Center is the marine laboratory at the University of Maine. Home to world renown research and education, the facility is situated on the shores of the Gulf of Maine with its diverse intertidal habitats.

With the introduction of the M2sat MarineCam shipping companies can use live video streams and still images for commercial and operational efficiency. Hub Urlings, general manager of M2sat said, “The first applications we see running over the MarineCam system are purely commercial. One shipping company uses the MarineCam for corporate promotions and sends still images from its ship directly to the companies` homepage on the Internet. A special cargo shipping company uses the system to provide their customers direct access to the MarineCams on board of their ships to follow and watch their special cargo transport. The transportation of special cargo always brings a lot of uncertainty with the customer and project participants waiting for the delivery of these often unique goods.

Globe Wireless announced that Steve Levine has joined as Director of Sales, . As his first task, Steve will assist Globe Wireless with the opening of its 15th international sales and support office in . Levine's background includes nine years with Stratos Global as the Business Development Manager, where he was responsible for Inmarsat and Iridium channel development and marketing. Steve was heavily involved in maritime VSAT offerings including iDirect and Sea Tel antenna systems. He also has past experience with PictureTel video conferencing systems.

MAVCO has been awarded the contract to design, supply and install a range of audio, video, lighting and effect systems in over twenty venues on board a third Crystal Cruises ship. Commissioned by ALSTOM Marine Chantiers de l’Antantique shipyard in St. Nazaire, France, MAVCO will be involved with the complete contract for local entertainment systems. Scheduled for delivery in late June 2003, the unnamed 68,000-ton vessel will see an increased number of Crystal Cruises’ most successful features, including more entertainment lounges, expanding on the best of Crystal Harmony and Crystal Symphony. The scope of the project ahead for MAVCO incorporates detailed system design, supply, installation and commissioning shared between the company’s offices in Miami and the U.K.

Like so many areas of our economy since the terrorist attacks of September 11, the port and maritime areas of the United States are being scrutinized for vulnerability to terrorism. Catastrophic scenarios are all too easy to imagine, and the threats can come from so many directions. To illustrate the complexity of the maritime law enforcement challenge, the Coast Guard Commandant, Admiral James M. "Imagine for a moment the information requirements associated with a hypothetical 6,000 TEU flag-of-convenience container ship with a multi-national crew cobbled together by a hiring agent who works for an Algerian vessel operator who chartered the vessel from a Greek ship owner whose corporate offices are in the Cayman Islands.

The Delaware River Pilots Association recently contracted with Carey's Diesel to repower a vessel with a pair of Isotta Fraschini marine diesel engines, rated at 550 hp @ 2,400 rpm. This is the third vessel the Pilots Association has chosen to repower using Isotta Fraschini engines. The first Isotta Fraschini repowers were two 56,000-lb. vessels named Wilmington and Delaware. Wilmington's two 8V-72T Detroit Diesel two-cycle, eight cylinder engines were replaced with two V1308T2 MLH Isotta Fraschini four-stroke, V-8 cylinder marine diesel engines. Delaware's two 8V-92 Detroit Diesel two-cycle, eight cylinder engines were replaced with a pair of V1312T2 MLH Isotta Fraschini four-stroke, V-12 cylinder marine diesel engines.

Anteon International Corporation won a contract by the U.S. Navy's Naval Sea Systems Command to support Mine Countermeasures (MCM) Class Ships homeported in Ingleside, Texas and forward deployed to Bahrain and Japan. The estimated value of this contract, if all options are exercised, is $25.7 million over a five-year period of performance. "This contract award represents another key element to Anteon's comprehensive support of the Navy's modernization effort. We continue to grow Anteon's mission support across the breadth of the U.S. Navy's ship repair and modernization programs," stated Dan Johnson, Anteon chief operating officer. "These Naval Sea Systems Command and MCM programs are critical for the Navy's success and its improved combat readiness around the world.

Anteon International Corporation announced that it has been awarded a contract by the U.S. Navy's Naval Sea Systems Command to support Mine Countermeasures (MCM) Class Ships homeported in Ingleside, Texas and forward deployed to Bahrain and Japan. The estimated value of this contract, if all options are exercised, is $25.7 million over a five-year period of performance. "This contract award represents another key element to Anteon's comprehensive support of the Navy's modernization effort. We continue to grow Anteon's mission support across the breadth of the U.S. Navy's ship repair and modernization programs," stated Dan Johnson, Anteon chief operating officer.