Tag: night vision

Beyond Basic Safety Gear

Go beyond the basic safety gear. This is survival gear.

Safety on board is undoubtedly the most important aspect of boating. When something goes wrong, having the proper gear can keep you alive. Increase your chances of survival by going beyond basic safety gear.

Most boaters carry just the basics: navigational lights, air horn, PFDs, fire extinguisher, flare, and a bottle of water. But before you head offshore this summer, consider carrying an Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB), a personal locator beacon (PLB), emergency life raft, a night-vision camera, and high-powered spotlight.

I once was lost but now am found

An Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) is essential when planning your safety gear.

The most recent European Union launch of Galileo navigation satellites added second-generation search-and-rescue (SAR) transponders to the International COSPASSARSAT Medium-Earth Orbit Search and Rescue (MEOSAR) constellation. The primary mission of the MEOSAR system is navigation. Its large footprint on the globe allows the use of Doppler measurements to calculate a distress beacon’s location, while the Low-Earth Orbit (LEOSAR) and Geostationary Orbit (GEOSAR) are primarily for gathering meteorological data. Both the LEOSAR and GEOSAR satellites, however, provide assistance when a distress beacon is activated. The MEOSAR array provides faster signal detection, greater reliability, and accuracy and will soon be the dominant system for COSPAS-SARSAT service.

This is the system that communicates with an EPIRB and PLB distress signal that transmits on the 406 MHz frequency. A GPS-enabled EPIRB can identify your location to as close as 164 feet. A PLB works the same way but only transmits about 24 hours (the EPIRB has a minimum 48-hour transmission) and is registered to a person whereas an EPIRB is registered to the watercraft.

There are a number of EPIRBs and PLBs on the market, such as ACR’s GlobalFIX V4 EPIRB which has an internal 66-channel GPS. It has a 406 MHz transmission to connect with the COSPAS-SARSAT system and also uses the 121.5 MHz signal for more accurate detection when rescuers are close by. McMurdo’s Smartfind G8 AIS (shown) is the first to combine 406 MHz transmissions with an AIS (Automatic Information System) locator. Ocean Signal’s rescueME EPIRB and Simrad’s EP70 are also highly rated.

 Was blind but now I see

Fishing in the Gulf at night won’t be fun if an oil rig gets in the way. Coming into the harbor isn’t any easier. With obstacles like tidal currents and other boats that can get in your path, docking can be a challenge. What if there was a man overboard scenario? Hope he’s wearing a PLB along with a strobe light.

Having a low-light and/or thermal camera that links with your electronic display is a godsend in those situations. Infrared or thermal imaging captures temperature differences between the background and the foreground. It detects thermal radiation that is emitted by anything with a temperature above zero. Thermal imaging cameras don’t need light to see.

A night vision camera requires some ambient light (from the shore or even the moon and stars). The latest technology has cameras capable of returning an image with just 0.1 lux (a full moon with a clear sky is 0.05 to 0.3 lux) and some with a sensitivity of 0.0008 lux. Resolution size is a critical number with thermal imaging and night vision cameras, but the camera’s sensitivity mode is important as well. The higher the number, the more you can see. High sensitivity modes make the camera more sensitive to pick up changes in temperature, which is important when trying to locate a crewmember in a man-overboard situation.

As with most safety gear, there are a number of companies producing thermal and night vision cameras, such as FLIR, Raymarine, and The Yacht Group.

That Saved a Wretch Like Me

One of the handiest safety accessories is the spotlight. Not much needs to be said as most people understand the advantages of having a flashlight when it’s dark. ACR, FLIR, and West Marine are just a few of the manufacturers who offer spotlight solutions. Fully automated systems with cameras, such as The Yacht Group’s Yacht Cam Bright that combines the night vision camera with a searchlight are extremely helpful.

The Yacht Group’s Yacht Cam Bright is a combination night vision camera and searchlight.

Its extreme lowlight sensitivity of 0.0013 lux (color) and 0.0008 lux (monochromatic) distinguishes images with 2.13-megapixel resolution and 30x optical zoom. The wide spot beam, effective to 1,000 feet by 70 feet, can further illuminate an object seen in the camera’s all-in-one unit with joystick control.

In addition to these important safety products, keep in mind the location in which you’ll be cruising. Conditions on the water can change rapidly, so logically consider all possible scenarios prior to heading to the marina. Think about how far you’ll be from shore, the water temperature will be, and weather conditions. Make sure to have ample supplies of food and water in the event you’re out longer than anticipated. Even a ditch kit if you have to abandon ship. When it comes to boating, safety is always the first priority.

Useful Resources

ACR

FLIR

OCEAN SIGNAL

MCMURDO

RAYMARINE

SIMRAD

THE YACHT GROUP

WEST MARINE

By Steve Davis, Southern Boating June 2018

Powerful Night Vision

Iris thermal-imaging camera

Boating at night presents far more risks than daytime operation, especially in waters crowded with vessels and obstructions. While going slow—or not going at all—is often the most prudent option, when you must make way a thermal-imaging camera can be an invaluable safety tool.

Iris’ new-for-2016 NightPilot gyro stabilized thermal-imaging camera delivers a long list of high-end features for a retail price under $5,000. That’s less than comparable systems, while providing added nighttime safety and navigational confidence within reach of a greater range of boat owners.

Designed for fixed installation and use on any motoryacht, trawler, sailboat, or sportfishing boat, the NightPilot offers a fast yet quiet motor system and compact waterproof design. Its advanced thermal core turns night into day on the boat’s multi-function display screen.

The NightPilot is powered by a fast, silent motor and retails for under $5,000.

“We concluded that offshore boat owners needed the peace of mind offered by a thermal camera that was built to mainly watch in moderate sea conditions,” explained Tony Digweed, head of North American sales for Iris Corporation. “We also wanted to continue to dispel the myth that thermal night vision cameras are out of the reach of everyday—and night—boating enthusiasts.”

Thermal night vision cameras like the NightPilot do what the human eye cannot. Because they see heat, they are not dependent on light and contrast to create an image. Thermal cameras work both day and night and provide benefits beyond what you may think.

Thermal night vision cameras can see the heat signatures of people and vessels in total darkness as well as through smoke, haze and light fog. And nothing can help you find someone in the water faster than a thermal camera. A person floating in the water often only has his head visible; still, this can show up on the thermal video display as a white ball against a black or dark gray background.

Once sighted, it is important for rescuers to keep theman overboard in sight. A thermal imager allows vessel crewmembers to keep a person in the water in sight while maneuvering their vessel to pick the victim up. This improved situational awareness increases the safety of all involved and raises the chance of rescuing a victim at night and during the day making thermal cameras a crucial asset.

At the heart of NightPilot is a U.S.-made 320 X 240 resolution thermal core with 17m pixel pitch and a <50mK thermal sensitivity, an 8X digital zoom function, and a color palette that can be inversed to provide crystal clear thermal images under different environmental conditions.

“Our design team started with a clean sheet to conjure a camera that differentiated NightPilot from the typical gimbal style,” Digweed said during a press conference at the NightPilot introduction during the 2015 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show. “We worked in close collaboration with a leading UK-based brushless-motor company to develop an advanced new motor system that is fast [maximum speed 360-degree range per second] yet whisper quiet.”

A 19mm 16-degree by 12-degree lens ensures sharp thermal imaging over a wide range of view. Even in total darkness, vessels can be identified at more than a 2-km distance (1.2 miles), while a person such as in a man-overboard situation can be spotted at about 1 km.

To provide a stable image in a range of sea conditions, the forward-facing NightPilot features three-sensor inertia measurements and accurate gyro control. When Gyro Mode is selected, the camera’s inner dome is driven by the motor providing an overall tilt range of 140 degrees (70 degrees in each direction from horizon) to counter wave motion.

NightPilot also incorporates a user- adjustable trim feature to counter shifting horizons such as when the vessel’s bow rises while running on plane. This same feature can be used to compensate for orientation if NightPilot is installed on angled surfaces.

The NightPilot is controlled using a waterproof 3.3-inch diameter round pad mounted on the dash. The pad features raised buttons that can be depressed to point the NightPilot up or down and zoom in or out. An inverted palette control, manual thermal shutter, gyro calibration, and standby mode can all be activated via the buttons identified with easy to read icons. For example, the Trim Up or Trim Down buttons are oriented at the 12 o’clock and 6 o’clock positions on the pad, while the Zoom Out and Zoom In buttons are at 9 o’clock and 3 o’clock.

NightPilot also features a built-in heater with Automatic Temperature Operation to ensure optimum performance in a wide range of weather and environmental conditions encountered on the water. These features and advanced technology are packed into a streamlined, waterproof housing measuring 10″ W x 5″ D x 6″ H.

“Much thought went into the industrial design of the NightPilot, with the goal of creating a compact, attractive appearance that blends well with the styling lines of even the most upscale yacht,” Digweed said. “At the same time, this design is rugged, functional and practical for use on a wide range of vessels wanting the ability to see what’s ahead of them in the dark. In the Iris tradition, installation is simplified through the use of a single cable/connector.”

— By Doug Thompson, Southern Boating Magazine March 20116

Information:
boat-cameras.com 

Powerful Night Vision

Iris thermal-imaging camera

Boating at night presents far more risks than daytime operation, especially in waters crowded with vessels and obstructions. While going slow—or not going at all—is often the most prudent option, when you must make way a thermal-imaging camera can be an invaluable safety tool.

Iris’ new-for-2016 NightPilot gyro stabilized thermal-imaging camera delivers a long list of high-end features for a retail price under $5,000. That’s less than comparable systems, while providing added nighttime safety and navigational confidence within reach of a greater range of boat owners.

Designed for fixed installation and use on any motoryacht, trawler, sailboat, or sportfishing boat, the NightPilot offers a fast yet quiet motor system and compact waterproof design. Its advanced thermal core turns night into day on the boat’s multi-function display screen.

“We concluded that offshore boat owners needed the peace of mind offered by a thermal camera that was built to mainly watch in moderate sea conditions,” explained Tony Digweed, head of North American sales for Iris Corporation. “We also wanted to continue to dispel the myth that thermal night vision cameras are out of the reach of everyday—and night—boating enthusiasts.”

Thermal night vision cameras like the NightPilot do what the human eye cannot. Because they see heat, they are not dependent on light and contrast to create an image. Thermal cameras work both day and night and provide benefits beyond what you may think.

Thermal night vision cameras can see the heat signatures of people and vessels in total darkness as well as through smoke, haze and light fog. And nothing can help you find someone in the water faster than a thermal camera. A person floating in the water often only has his head visible; still, this can show up on the thermal video display as a white ball against a black or dark gray background.

Once sighted, it is important for rescuers to keep theman overboard in sight. A thermal imager allows vessel crewmembers to keep a person in the water in sight while maneuvering their vessel to pick the victim up. This improved situational awareness increases the safety of all involved and raises the chance of rescuing a victim at night and during the day making thermal cameras a crucial asset.

At the heart of NightPilot is a U.S.-made 320 X 240 resolution thermal core with 17m pixel pitch and a <50mK thermal sensitivity, an 8X digital zoom function, and a color palette that can be inversed to provide crystal clear thermal images under different environmental conditions.

“Our design team started with a clean sheet to conjure a camera that differentiated NightPilot from the typical gimbal style,” Digweed said during a press conference at the NightPilot introduction during the 2015 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show. “We worked in close collaboration with a leading UK-based brushless-motor company to develop an advanced new motor system that is fast [maximum speed 360-degree range per second] yet whisper quiet.”

A 19mm 16-degree by 12-degree lens ensures sharp thermal imaging over a wide range of view. Even in total darkness, vessels can be identified at more than a 2-km distance (1.2 miles), while a person such as in a man-overboard situation can be spotted at about 1 km.

The NightPilot is powered by a fast, silent motor and retails for under $5,000.

To provide a stable image in a range of sea conditions, the forward-facing NightPilot features three-sensor inertia measurements and accurate gyro control. When Gyro Mode is selected, the camera’s inner dome is driven by the motor providing an overall tilt range of 140 degrees (70 degrees in each direction from horizon) to counter wave motion.

NightPilot also incorporates a user- adjustable trim feature to counter shifting horizons such as when the vessel’s bow rises while running on plane. This same feature can be used to compensate for orientation if NightPilot is installed on angled surfaces.

The NightPilot is controlled using a waterproof 3.3-inch diameter round pad mounted on the dash. The pad features raised buttons that can be depressed to point the NightPilot up or down and zoom in or out. An inverted palette control, manual thermal shutter, gyro calibration, and standby mode can all be activated via the buttons identified with easy to read icons. For example, the Trim Up or Trim Down buttons are oriented at the 12 o’clock and 6 o’clock positions on the pad, while the Zoom Out and Zoom In buttons are at 9 o’clock and 3 o’clock.

NightPilot also features a built-in heater with Automatic Temperature Operation to ensure optimum performance in a wide range of weather and environmental conditions encountered on the water. These features and advanced technology are packed into a streamlined, waterproof housing measuring 10″ W x 5″ D x 6″ H.

“Much thought went into the industrial design of the NightPilot, with the goal of creating a compact, attractive appearance that blends well with the styling lines of even the most upscale yacht,” Digweed said. “At the same time, this design is rugged, functional and practical for use on a wide range of vessels wanting the ability to see what’s ahead of them in the dark. In the Iris tradition, installation is simplified through the use of a single cable/connector.”

By Doug Thompson, Southern Boating Magazine March 2016

Information:

boat-cameras.com 

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