"SEA"ing ALL
1/30/2007 10:24:43 AM by Javier Salas
Incorporate this new infrared technology on board and add a sixth sense to your person — that of thermal awareness, an invaluable set of “eyes” that see in the dark.
Things that go bump (against the hull) in the night have been a concern for boaters since long before Columbus sailed the ocean blue. Radar transformed boating at night and in other limited visibility conditions, preventing untold mishaps at sea since its inception. But even the most powerful radars have limitations, which is where Forward Looking Infrared (FLIR) comes in. Unlike night vision, FLIR works with no light at all, making it a giant step forward for maritime navigation technology.
FLIR uses heat energy instead of reflected visible light to differentiate between people and objects based on their slight temperature differences — and there are more temperature variations than one would think, resulting in clear, defined “thermal” pictures. The latest incarnation of marine cameras offer 360-degree visibility to display what is ahead, to port or starboard, or behind. This is important when you want to run at a decent speed in limited visibility conditions, to monitor your boat when you’re away, or if you hear a noise on deck and want to know if someone has boarded your boat. The technology also has potential applications in engine room monitoring.
Sitting at a helm looking at thermal real-time images of shorelines, channel markers, docks, unlit boats and floating debris has gone from science fiction to science fact. Add in the ability to see swimmers in the water, almost invisible tide lines, and the man-overboard rescue potential, and you’re just scratching the surface of FLIR’s abilities. The Coast Guard and military have used the then-extremely expensive FLIR since the ‘60s. New low-cost, high-quality systems have made the technology approachable for boat owners.
21st Century Navigation and Monitoring
“You get nighttime navigation, security, remote monitoring and a variety of automatic features required for powerboat users,” says Lou Rota, vice president of maritime business development for industry leader FLIR Systems, referring to their innovative Voyager system.
The well-thought-out Voyager provides an impressive dual field of view by utilizing two separate cameras: a wide angle designed for navigation and a longer range imager for security and man-overboard conditions. Proprietary Foveus image presentation lets the user see both views simultaneously: the wide view for situational awareness, and the high-resolution center screen area for exemplary object identification and tracking. The active stabilization feature keeps the images steady even in rough seas.
This powerful multi-sensor thermal imaging system includes a long range daylight 26x zoom camera designed to monitor conditions when the boat is docked and can be controlled from a remote site via the Internet so you know what’s happening around your yacht while you’re away. A long range daylight TV allows the boat owner to identify colors when the current environment allows. Multiple control options allow the Voyager to not only function as a navigational aid but to be used for threat detection above or below deck. In an engine room situation, the FLIR camera can pick up and display temperature increases in critical equipment that isn’t visible to the naked eye and can often actually sense trouble long before the alarms sound.
The mid-range FLIR Navigator series takes proprietary imaging technology created for military situations and puts it in a rugged, waterproof casing to allow recreational boat owners to safely navigate in low-visibility situations including light fog, smoke and haze. The Navigator’s wide angle image works with most multi-function displays such as the Northstar 6000i with Platinum. The unit has both NTSC and PAL outputs for maximum connectibility.
Getting the Most Out of FLIR
In keeping with the idea that there is no such thing as too much information, especially in low visibility marine conditions, the best thing to do is to use FLIR images in conjunction with high-end radar data. Those who are used to radar alone will find FLIR an excellent add-on for focusing in on particular questionable objects detected by radar.
When used in conjunction with the 6000i, FLIR images and radar data can be interfaced with Navionics award-winning Platinum cartography, satellite/aerial photography and weather data for the most up-to-date information on your current location and surrounding objects and vessels. Even bathrymetric views can be incorporated into the mix with as much or as little data overlayed on the high-resolution, full-color screen as desired. Split-screen views add further versatility to the information load. Want to move around the boat? Cartography and data from the main navigation unit can be displayed throughout the onboard system displays.
“Thermal imaging is fast becoming an indispensable tool for recreational boating safety,” concludes Rota. “Now even the most budget-minded boater can utilize the same thermal imaging technology used by mega-yacht owners and the military.”