Rock Seven updates tracking system

RockFLEET firmware 1.4.4 obtains a position using the GPS satellite network and transmits that position to shore systems using Iridium Short Burst Data (SBD) at user-defined intervals. The new motion-based transmission function is said to enable even more cost-effective vessel tracking as it can automatically reduce the amount of data sent via RockFLEET when a vessel is on station or dockside.

Nick Farrell, director, Rock Seven, told Maritime Journal: “We’ve released the firmware update on the back of customer requests and to help them save costs and time.”

“It’s relatively early days, but we’ve got a lot on trials and have been selling small numbers to various places, both marine and land-based,” he added.

Other improvements introduced with RockFLEET firmware 1.4.4 include a 10% improvement on battery life. RockFLEET is said to be the only Iridium based vessel tracking system with both a primary-power input (9-30v DC) and internal battery back-up, a feature that was developed to enhance vessel safety and security.

With its integral battery, RockFLEET will continue to transmit a vessel’s position for over 2 weeks when primary power is cut. The system can also be configured to transmit an alarm to pre-defined users on shore should RockFLEET detect a loss of power, acting as a reliable warning to management that something is wrong.

Another new feature with firmware 1.4.4 is the ability for authorised users to request an ad-hoc vessel position report at any time outside of the normal transmission schedule, giving the shore office a means to find out exactly where vessels are at any given moment.

To enable these new features, Rock Seven has also developed improvements to the CONNECT smartphone/tablet app, which is designed to offer wireless access to the RockFLEET unit and two-way messaging for crew on board.

Rock Seven will be exhibiting at Mercator Media Ltd’s Seawork International, where the updated RockFLEET will be on show and is up for the Innovations Showcase Award. Also on show will be the company’s hand-held portable RockSTAR product and machine to machine (M2M) RockBLOCK platform.

Visit Rock Seven on stand B67.

By Rachael Doyle