Technology

Protecting Vessels has always meant keeping them out of harms way. Whether the threat is natural or manmade, avoiding hazards usually requires being able to see ahead - both under and above the surface of the water - in order to avoid or outrun the danger. Prior to the last 20 years this called for experience, strong nerves and luck without guarantee of success.

Times have changed. Recent technological advancements in multi-beam sonar, data processing and DGPS positioning now provide a complete high resolution picture of the seafloor that can be used for marine navigation.

Other advancements have replaced much of the human factor with highly sophisticated technologies capable of identifying the yacht's continued global position and movements, calling for help, seeing twelve miles into the horizon and locating a person overboard regardless of conditions. Today's vessels can be extremely intuitive, capable of detecting and responding to threats and, depending upon the systems' level of sophistication, neutralize them as well.

To avoid those dangers, the captain must first know the danger is there.

An effective Situational Awareness System (SAS) should be included in every yacht's security solution. It provides information about what is going on in the far/nearby physical environment of the yacht, as well as onboard.

Current technology is available to provide the information, and a lot more. Early warning notification of upcoming underwater obstacles or even approaching divers should the yacht be at anchor or dockside, allows the captain or owner to take appropriate action. Advanced systems will even notify you if a person goes overboard and will provide a real time video feed to designated stations aboard the yacht or to land based screens anywhere in the world you choose.

The same technology can be programmed to report system failures aboard the yacht as they occur and even produce occupancy reports (both authorized and non-authorized) delivered through the convenience of your cell telephone wherever in the world you have service.

While the Situational Awareness System (SAS) keeps you informed about the yacht's physical environment, a proper Access Control System (ACS) will provide you with the necessary information about who is onboard, was onboard, or is attempting to come onboard and whether authorized, or not. It will also allow you to view any portion of your yacht, from your master stateroom or from the other side of the world.

Access to any or all compartments can be monitored or controlled. Audio and/or video records can be captured and stored from any observable area, whether your crew was aboard or not. Not only will this provide real-time information for your security, it may well provide legal protection should a problem arise

You can have all the above with no adverse effect on the aesthetics of your yacht. The security systems will be transparent, not only for aesthetic reasons, but because the best security is invisible. A criminal can't defeat what can't be seen, and there is nothing more intimidating than the unknown!