Vessel Monitoring Systems News

Aydin Marine – the manufacturer of industry-leading, type-approved displays, computers and peripherals, announced today the release of a 17-inch multi-touch, sunlight-readable display in its popular KMGBL series of pilothouse and flybridge displays, the KMGBL-17T. Joining the existing line up of 12-, 15-, 19- and 24-inch models, the new 17-inch Glass Bridge Light Display is a crystal-clear, dimmable, LED-backlit LCD monitor, manufactured to Aydin Marine’s high-quality standards. The slim profile and lightweight case is constructed of milled billet aluminum and provides IP68 dust and water ingress protection on the front face and IP65 protection when console mounted.

IMTRA today released its Omega LED lights. Designed specifically for recessed lighting applications in large yachts, the DC-powered Omega LED lights feature a high-quality, high CRI (Color Rendering Index) that reveals the colors of objects faithfully in comparison with ideal and natural light sources. Omega LED lights produce excellent lighting quality by combining high CRI with an equally high R9 value. A quantitative measurement of saturated red tone, high R9 values produce the most vivid colors. The warm hue of Omega LEDs, which is the same color as the halogen lights they are designed to replace, will help accentuate the most intimate settings, including rich wood grains, colorful furniture fabrics and artwork.

McMurdo  has announced PRISMA Connect, a web-based integrated fleet management system that connects ship to shore in real-time for improved communication and operational efficiencies, as well as increased crew productivity with two-way messaging and electronic forms capture. The innovative system, which is based on proven Boatracs BTConnect and BTVessel software, is the first product announcement under McMurdo’s new suite of PRISMA (Preparation, Response, Identification, Surveillance, Management, Acceleration) software solutions.

SATCOM edges closer to providing standardized services to the workboat sector. It’s affordable now and someday soon, you won’t be able to afford to be without it. Dartmouth, Nova Scotia-based JouBeh Technologies today makes it possible for far flung workboats to transmit critical data back to principals and at the same time, allow regulators and operators alike the possibility of reliable asset tracking on the water. Maybe it’s not YOUR workboat, but someday soon, it could be. As a reseller and integrator for Iridium Communications, JouBeh’s business mix penetrates many sectors. On the water, what they are doing for the federal government of Canada in two different applications has potential for North American commercial inland operators, as well.

Mackay Communications joins Pole Star’s wide marine market network of approved distributors. Mackay will offer Pole Star’s portfolio of products and services including Fleet Management, Alert Advanced Ship Security Alert System (SSAS), Marine Asset Tracker (MAT), and LRIT conformance testing services to their customer base throughout North America. “We are extremely pleased to formalize the relationship with Mackay,” commented Duncan Halliday, Head of Distribution at Pole Star. “We look forward to growing our business in all marine verticals including deep sea, brown water and the white boat market with them. Pole Star: Pole Star is a leading provider of Fleet Management, Ship Security and Vessel Monitoring systems to the maritime industry.

Newly merged company will track and monitor half the world’s ships. Pole Star Space Applications Limited (“Pole Star”), Absolute Software Inc. and Absolute Maritime Tracking Services Inc. (“Absolute”) today announced that the merger of the three organisations has been completed. The enlarged global business, headquartered in West London, will provide a combination of monitoring and security related services to more than 35,000 vessels - half the world’s international fleet. Combining Pole Star’s award-winning expertise in systems for commercial fleets…

Krill Systems Inc., a leader in advanced fuel and vessel monitoring systems, is pleased to announce that it has been awarded the contract from National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) for supply and installation of Vessel Fuel Measurement and Management Systems (VFMMS) onboard six NOAA Fisheries Survey Vessels (FSV). In a competitive bid, on an unrestricted basis, NOAA issued its award to ‘the responsible vendor whose quotation resulted in the best value to the Government, considering both price and non-price factors’. The factors used to evaluate the quotations were: Technical Approach, Past Performance and Price. NOAA…

Krill Systems Inc., a leader in advanced fuel and vessel monitoring systems, announces an important new management tool, the Vessel Operations Center (VOC), that allows Fleet Managers to monitor entire fleet fuel usage and receive synchronized fleet reports anywhere they are required, automatically, via Internet. Headquartered in Bainbridge Island, WA, Krill Systems is enjoying strong growth in: Offshore Towing, Inland Towing, Ferry and OSV markets, with successful fittings on individual boats of major corporations operating in these fields.

Accuracy, reliability and durability are the critical elements in determining a vessel's fuel consumption under varying load and sea conditions. FloScan says its direct flow measurement systems are more accurate than algorithm-based techniques. Models are available for all makes of marine diesel engines up to 6000 hp in tugboats and workboats of all kinds for applications including propulsion engines, gensets, bow thrusters and other diesel-powered systems. Krill Systems, a provider of integrated onboard and remote vessel monitoring systems for yachts and commercial vessels, recently introduced their SmartTug software, a PC based software system that improves vessel efficiency and data communication in a highly competitive and cost conscious industry.

Faria WatchDog, Inc. announced that its WatchDog 750 long-range identification and tracking (LRIT) ship terminal has successfully completed the compliance and test requirements for operation on the Iridium satellite network. Faria WatchDog, Inc. is a supplier of satellite vessel monitoring systems (VMS). Iridium LRIT certification ensures its Value-Added Manufacturers’ (VAMs’) devices comply with the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Resolution MSC.210(81) requirements, which establish performance standards for LRIT shipboard systems. With the Iridium certification, the WatchDog 750 is ready to provide a reliable LRIT solution to the maritime industry.

In a report published Nov. 3, the European Commission takes the first step towards establishing a comprehensive strategy for integrated maritime surveillance for Europe. The report, in the form of a Commission Staff Working Document, describes the current state of play as regards the surveillance, monitoring, tracking, identification and reporting systems put in place by EU Member States and EU Agencies. It also identifies the next steps to be undertaken and the challenges to be resolved in order to achieve an integrated maritime surveillance network for Europe. Such an integrated and cross-sectoral network would provide essential added value for national authorities in handling a range of challenges…

Bradford Grand Bahama, Ltd. (Bradford) and Larry Smith Electronics (Larry Smith) announce that they have signed a Memorandum of Agreement to form a new Joint Service Venture in the Bahamas. This venture will significantly add to Bradford’s capability to provide a complete world-class, one-stop quality services at its shipyard in Freeport, Grand Bahama and will facilitate Larry Smith in bringing their superior marine electronics sales and repair services to the Bahamas. Bradford will now be able to offer a full line of marine electronics sales and services to the entire yachting industry from its Freeport location. Larry Smith is recognized internationally as a leading dealer…

The new Ship Security and Alert Systems (SSAS) regulations were adopted by International Maritime Organization (IMO) to enhance maritime security in response to the increasing threat from terrorism and piracy. After July 1, 2004, most deep-sea passenger and cargo ships must be fitted with a device that can send an alert message containing the ship's ID and position whenever the ship is under threat or has been compromised. The distress message must be activated covertly from a switch on the navigation bridge or other shipboard location, and transmitted only to the designated authority without being received on other ships or raising an alarm on the ship under attack.

Proposed amendments to the Marine Transportation Security Regulations that strengthen security requirements for vessels, marine facilities and ports were announced by Transport Minister Tony Valeri. "A secure, strong marine industry is vital to Canada's dynamic economy," said Mr. Valeri. The proposed amendments will implement the requirements of the International Maritime Organization's (IMO) International Ship and Port Facility Security Code, as well as amendments to its Safety of Life at Sea Convention, 1974. The IMO is a specialized agency of the United Nations which focuses on the improvement of safety at sea and the prevention of pollution from vessels.

Transport Canada has strengthened its security requirements for vessels, marine facilities and ports by establishing the Marine Transportation Security Regulations. "The Government of Canada is committed to maintaining the safety and security of Canadian ports," said Transport Minister Tony Valeri. These regulations, which have been approved by the Governor in Council for publication in the Canada Gazette, Part II on June 2, 2004, will implement the requirements of the International Maritime Organization's (IMO) International Ship and Port Facility Security Code, as well as amendments to its Safety of Life at Sea Convention, 1974. The IMO is a specialized agency of the United Nations which focuses on improving safety at sea and preventing pollution from vessels.

A Florida fisherman was fined by an administrative law judge Tuesday, for illegal fishing within a secured area 120 miles south of Panama City, Fla. The violation occurred Dec. 17, 2002, when the crew of Coast Guard Cutter Stingray, homeported in Mobile, Ala., stopped and boarded the fishing vessel, The Shadow, for allegedly illegally fishing within the Madison-Swanson closed area. Jerry Eugene Key, operator of The Shadow, set approximately 2.5 miles of longline gear to harvest reef fish within the closed area. Any person found fishing for any species of fish in this area, other than highly migratory species, is in violation of the Reef Fish Management Plan…