One technology company’s unique success in cracking the “billion-dollar problem” of wireless communication in a steel environment at an affordable price is helping improve safety in shipping.
ScanReach’s In:Range wireless network solution enables sensor data to be wirelessly transmitted from nodes throughout a ship, either fixed or carried as wearables. The data feeds directly into bridge monitoring and control systems.
“Our meshed wireless network means sensor arrays become a whole lot cheaper and flexible because you do away with all the cabling necessary in current setups, which is time-consuming and expensive to install,” said John Roger Nesje, chief executive of Norway-based ScanReach.
Mr Nesje added: “The ship functioning as a single connected entity is a huge step forward and opens up a sea of new application opportunities to take vessel safety and performance measurement to the next level, at a fraction of the cost. Existing sensors can also be easily integrated into our system, whether it’s fire detection, pump sensors, anything.”
Crew health
An IoT-connected ship helps safeguard crew health as wearables enable full tracking of those onboard in real time. Digital interfaces mean if a seafarer falls or get injured the bridge can react immediately. In a MOB situation, it is possible to pinpoint exactly where someone in the water is.
With IoT detection the bridge also knows instantly if poisonous gases are present in enclosed spaces or tanks, while wearables provide an added level of safety providing instant feedback to seafarers undertaking checks or maintenance.
By Rebecca Jeffrey
