Article by Capt. Steve Katz
Around-the-Clock Boat Mate
Don’t you wish you had a mate that would work 24 hours a day, in all conditions, checking on the boat and all its systems, for little pay?
Well with today’s remote boat monitoring systems, you can have all of this and more, and let your mate go back to fishing. Today there are numerous technological solutions that can add to the captains’ or owners’ awareness of the status of the boat and associated systems.
Many readers here are responsible on some level for maintaining at least one boat. While most owners and crew are aware of the status and condition of the boat while on board – what about when you are not there? Most rely on a neighbor or the marina to look after the boat; is the high-water alarm going off, did the shore power breaker trip, is the air conditioner pump strainer clogged or worse, did the boat get broken into or stolen? These are some of the most common concerns when the boat is unattended. If your boat is stored on a trailer or high and dry rack system, you would like to know that your boat is located where it should be and that the onboard systems are ready for your next use.
Our phones and computers keep us connected; wouldn’t it be great if the boat was like a social media friend? Checking-in with us, telling us how they are feeling, telling us where they are and where they have been? Well today’s boat monitoring systems are like a reliable friend watching over the boat around-the-clock. Often referred to as smart boats, IoT (internet of things), monitored boats or connected boats – technology and the boat have come together to help us do a better job monitoring and controlling any size boat.
Tracking vs Theft vs Monitoring vs Control
There are a few distinct categories of systems available for the marine market and some products can include all features in a single solution, let’s review:
Tracking Systems
If you have a center console boat with multiple engines, many insurance companies require satellite tracking to be eligible for insurance coverage depending on where you use your boat. This has led to numerous companies offering solutions that meet the needs of these boaters. Most of these tracking system will notify you of unplanned boat movement via text or email. Some companies such as GOST can also offer live assistance during a boat theft event working with local authorities to track and recover a stolen boat.
In 2016, the Lumitec (marine led lighting company) company boat was stolen from their gated facility in Delray Beach and ultimately recovered with the help of the GOST satellite tracking system. The GOST security system even captured a clear picture of the perpetrator through the on-board video system.
www.gostglobal.com/lumitec-stolen-boat-story
www.gostglobal.com/lumitec-stolen-boat-story
Theft Deterrent Systems
A marine theft deterrent system is like a home or car alarm system but designed for the marine environment. While you may not think that your entire boat will be stolen, there are numerous expensive on-board goods targeted by thieves, such as electronics, fishing rods and coolers. Many of the theft protections systems use sensors such as door and hatch monitors and motion detectors. A more complex system can use invisible light beams, pressure sensors and outboard engine cowling sensors. Once an unauthorized event has occurred, numerous alerts can be triggered, such as lights, strobes, sirens, acoustic barriers and even fog cloaking. In addition to onboard alarms, alerts can be sent out to key people responsible for the boat, via text, email etc.
Monitoring Systems
Automated devices to monitor a boat’s status and systems have become much more popular in the last few years, with offerings from mainstream electronics manufactures along with companies who specialize in remote monitoring. The best monitoring systems can monitor things like bilge pump operation, high water, shore power, battery power, temperature, and other key vessel systems. While a monitoring system seems like a good idea for any boat owner, one boat owner said he didn’t need a system like this because he had insurance…. Though finding the shore power breaker tripped and the bait freezer or live-well off can cause a loss of precious bait needed for fishing the next day and is probably not covered by insurance or falls below the deductible.
Control
Many of the boat monitoring systems can also remotely control on-board systems, such as lights, air-conditioner etc. remotely using a website or smartphone app. While this capability adds to the complexity of a monitoring system, some of the newest boats built with electronic switching have this capability built-in.
What System to Choose
Often these types of systems overlap in features while others specialize in one aspect of the above capabilities. It is best to determine your needs and desires before shopping for a system, this way you can select a manufacturer that can support all the requirements, so you do not end up with an overly complex multiple brand system that is difficult to use.
The entire category of tracking, theft and monitoring and control systems is not new but is constantly evolving. There is a wide range of costs for these systems, beginning at $130 for a self-contained stick-up battery powered tracking device, like the SPOT Trace satellite tracker.
Some of the most popular systems in the marketplace are offered by GOST, Boat Command, SPOT, Siren Marine, Gplink, locmarine, Blue Guard Innovations Smart Skipper, Garmin OnDeck, Nautic Alert X3, Raymarine YachtSense Link, and Yacht Sentinel.
Most of these systems contain a central processor box and numerous sensors located throughout the boat. Some can use an optional satellite connection instead of or in addition to a cellular data connection – great for use in remote areas or while out at sea.
Whatever system you choose, knowing the status of your boat when you are away offers peace of mind and may even help reduce expenses if an unexpected situation arises. §
