GMTS

Author: Nik Thullesen

  • 44m Sailing Yacht – AV/IT Update

    44m Sailing Yacht – AV/IT Update

    44m Sailing Yacht AV IT UpdateInstall Brief:

     

    The Captain & Engineer employed Global Marine to update their entertainment and IT systems.

     

    The installation involved updating some systems and implementing some new components. Since the build in 2010 there have been some major advancements meaning there was plenty of space for improvement. We were tasked with improving connectivity, security and entertainment, as well as updating the vessels documentation as appropriate.

     

    Equipment Used:

    • Ubiquiti Unifi network system

    • Axis camera system

    • RTI Control System, Apple TV, Lights, TV Lift

    • RTI T2x Remote Control System

    • Update systems documentation

    • Kerio system update and programming

     

    IT Refit

     

    The vessel has quarters for up to 6 crew and 8 guests and this can be demanding on the network. With Ubiquiti we were able to improve the users online experience by creating a robust, reliable network to serve these demands.

    With this came tidying up the systems installation, re-running cables and creating a workspace that allowed for ease of use, and ease of access.

     

    Guests and crew alike can now enjoy seamless connectivity to the yachts internet connection and entertainment systems.

     

    Security

     

    Security is key for vessel like this and the cameras also serve purpose in monitoring guest movements, as well as machine areas. We installed 4x new Axis cameras on the the network which are available for crew to view in any cabin. This means the Engineer can monitor the engine room, the Captain is able to see on deck, and the Interior Staff are able to keep an eye on VIP guests to provide top class service.

    vessel security camera

    Axis security camera

     

    RTI Entertainment System

     

    The vessel runs Apple TV throughout and required a new control system, lighting and a TV lift system for the main saloon. We used RTI T2x remotes for this, these remotes are 2-way, with a 2.8″ screen, Wi-Fi, infrared, Li-Ion battery and charger cradle and an accelerometer built in so it knows when you pick it up. And let’s not forget about the ambient light sensor that adapts the screen brightness to the surrounding environment.

    This remote controls the Apple TV, lighting, and the TV lifting system, a true all in one solution for crew and guests.

     
     

    Update Kerio System

     

    Kerio Control is used onboard as a unified threat management firewall system. Some of the features include intrusion prevention, content filtering, activity reporting, bandwidth management and VPN (virtual private networking). This is all key to having a secure onboard IT system.

     

    Being able to filter content, and allocate bandwidth means the owner, guests, and crew are allotted data and that the crew do not eat into the owners allowance. As well as this, content can be filtered – ie if the owner has kids onboard we can control what’s allowed through the firewall.

     

    The VPN also keeps browsing and downloaded information from being shared or viewed through third party software or uninvited hackers.

     

    Vessel Documentation

     

    With all these changes and updates, it’s always important to make sure the vessel documentation is kept up to date. Out with the old and in with the new, all the manuals, instructions and documentation is updated to be relevant for serving and upkeep.

    We compiled a list of all the systems and created a folder in their network for crew access only, a hard copy, and supplied a backup on a USB key.

  • Starlink Maritime

    Starlink Maritime

    Going where it matters!

     

    You’ve seen the hype, you’ve seen the satellites, let’s bring it down to earth and check out what it can do for marine. This means that the 2500+ satellites currently orbiting the earth will be able to provide high-speed data to the maritime industry.

     
     

    Global Marine has several successful installations into marine environments with exceptional results. The antenna is compact and easy to install into existing domes to aesthetically replace redundant satellite systems.

    SpaceX states that Starlink Maritime can offer up to 350Mbps with impressive latency when stacked up against fibre or wire connections. This is previously unheard of in marine and satellite solutions have been synonymous with outlandish data and hardware prices. Starlink Maritime sells for $10’000 USD with a monthly fee of $5’000 on pay as you go plans, it’s no wonder the maritime sector is chomping at the bit to get these.

     

    Satellite communications systems boast a speed of “up to 10Mbps” on what they call high-speed, and a hardware cost of $30’000+ for some models. Not only is the Starlink Maritime about to blow the commercial marine industry away, but the residential product has been proven to work on moving vessel too.

     

    This sits at a much more affordable price for the every day boat owner at NZD $1040 for hardware (+ Shipping and handling fee) and a fixed rate of NZD $199 per month (Standard fee $159, roaming/portability fee $40).

     
  • 30m Luxury Explorer Yacht – AV/IT & Cell Upgrade

    30m Luxury Explorer Yacht – AV/IT & Cell Upgrade

    AV/IT and 4G System Upgrade

     

    Install Brief:

    The owner of this luxury yacht was referred to by us by another GMTS client (70ft Riviera) as they wanted the best solution for their high-spec luxury explorer yacht. Nordhavn vessels being synonymous with world cruising as a “go anywhere” vessel, it’s no surprise they came to us for a robust and reliable solution.

     

    Equipment used:

    • Full IT refit with Ubiquity Unifi system

    • Celerway Stratus + Poynting antenna package

    • System documentation update

    • Cellular Subscription

     

    IT Refit

    With 5 cabins boasting 10 berths there can be a few people on board at any one time. Keeping connected is a must these days so having a robust system to serve several users is key. Ubiquity unifies onboard systems for multiple users with centralised control, meaning all users have access to the network, anywhere onboard. There is also option to grant or restrict access to users as required.

     

    We implemented Wi-fi 6 throughout the vessel ensuring no dead spots and seamless connectivity.

     

    Marine Wi-Fi

    Global Marine employ some of the best tech developed around the world, Celerway and Poynting are no exception. To ensure our clients have the best connectivity we installed a Celerway Stratus CAT12 dual modem capable of load sharing across 4 SIM’s and with a maximum theoretical download speed of 950mbps. Pairing this with 4x Poynting 493 Cellular antenna keeps options open. This MiMo (multi-in /multi-out) antenna can pick up Wi-Fi as well as 4G cellular. This means to periods on the dock the boat can use marina Wi-Fi where available saving on our month-to-month data plans when 4G isn’t required.

     

    When offshore the antenna will pick up 4G up to 35nm’s off the coast.

    When roaming the system can use data on a 100GB per month basis, over 4 SIM cards this is 400GB a month, with ability to allocate data to different logins, ie the crew, the guests, and the owner. This way the owner’s data remains available.

     

    System Documentation

    Keeping a good ship means staying on top of your systems and ships procedures, something often overlooked as upgrades and modifications are added. We took the existing owner’s manual and updated it accordingly and in line with the new systems added since the launch in 2018.

     

    This included detailed additions to the ships diagram documenting the new IT system, 4G modems and Wi-Fi network components.

     

    Cellular Subscription

    With Vodafone as a partner, we were able to provide a truly limitless data plan. This means full speed with no caps. With several users online you can easily chew through a lot of data, this is where our plans come in superior. Not only can they enjoy endless streaming and data for several users, but also better coverage with our unique multi-band connection.

  • 30m Luxury Motor Yacht – Full AV/IT Upgrade

    30m Luxury Motor Yacht – Full AV/IT Upgrade

    AV/IT and 4G System Upgrade

     
     

    Install Brief:

    The Captain of M/Y Columbus approached us to update the onboard Computer systems, AV and IT onboard. This included:

    • New Navigation PC’s and software to integrate with the existing radar and sounder components

    • RTI entertainment system with Apple TV, AV over IP and iPad control

    • Celerway modem and Poynting antenna for 4G/Wi-Fi connectivity

    • Ubiquiti Wi-Fi 6 systems for internal Wi-Fi

    Equipment used:

    1. PC based Navigation suite

    2. Celerway Fractus CAT11 Modem

    3. Poynting 402 MIMO antenna (4g or shore Wi-Fi)

    4. Ubiquiti with Wi-Fi 6

    5. RTI. Full revamp of RTI with Apple TV, centralised storage. AV over IP. iPad controllable. Reprogram of existing hardware.

    Columbus was built at Custom Crescent (Canada) in 1994 and the gear onboard was upgraded in various phases throughout the life of the vessel, with it’s latest refit in 2018. Needless to say with the rate technology moves, it’s always time for an upgrade, and at Global Marine we are at the forefront of marine technology & AV/IT systems.

     

    Navigation

    Maxsea TZ Pro

    Columbus was sporting a Furuno system with Navpilot, Radar and Sounder attached. The wanted a more user friendly system with better route planning capability and smarter user interface. We replaced the main units with PC’s loaded with Maxsea TZ-Pro, extending the original TimeZero system already present, and with this allowed us to integrate the existing components without hassle.

     

    The challenges in this install including finding faults in the existing network and rectifying them as well as installation of the new PC’s and data conversion equipment.

     
     

    Entertainment System

    RTI Control and Automation

    Columbus has been using an RTI system however this needed a revamp in the programming to ensure seamless operation in every area of the vessel via iPad. RTI offers a centralised storage system hosting a plethora of movies and media which can be accessed from any of the onboard TV’s and entertainment systems. Integrating Apple TV and smart TV apps throughout the boat means AV/Music and Entertainment is accessible by multiple users at one time, and easy to control.

     

    All cabins are equipped with an T2x handheld Remote for control, Apple TV, Plex, Netflix and any other streaming services.

     

    All cabins now have Airplay2 and seamless playback throughout the vessel.

     

    Connectivity

    Celerway modems, Poynting antennas and Ubiquiti Wi-Fi

     

    At Global Marine we specialise in onboard connectivity and use the latest and best solutions available. We fitted out Columbus with a Celerway Fractus CAT11 modem connected to a Poynting 493 MIMO antenna. Celerway and Poynting have worked together in their research and development to ensure the systems work.

     
     

    MIMO (multi in/multi out) antennas give the option to use 4G via a SIM card or connect to shore Wi-Fi and distribute that through the boat via the Celerway Modem.

     

    This means that when in port the boat can use an existing marina or local Wi-Fi network as well as 4G and load balancing means it will use the best available network for speed and reliability.

     
     
     

    One challenge we faced was achieving strong Wi-Fi signal in all areas of the boat, as the boat is aluminium it can be hard to locate the modem in a spot to please all users.

    Ubiquiti offer Enterprise grade solutions through Wi-Fi 6 access points. With this we were able to get a solid connection in all areas of the boat. Guests, crew and owner can all be connected and make use of the high speed connection without interruption.

     
     

    Summary:

    Our team attended the boat and ran several tests on current systems to see where any weak points were. After spending time with the client identifying the areas that needed the most attention we proposed the above to eliminate the pain points.

     

    The result is a state of the art onboard network with high speed unlimited data, seamless streaming ability and strong consistent Wi-Fi signal through-out the boat.

    Needless to say, both the Captain and Owner are very pleased with the result. Not only did we solve their issues, we also identified faults in the existing install and made changes to suit. Columbus is now fully operational with very happy operators.

     
     

    Does this sound like the kind if thing you need? Come to the experts – Global Marine.

  • 4G Data on the GO

    4G Data on the GO

    Take the internet with you where ever you go. In this modern world everyone wants flexibility, mobile plans are pretty good but not when you need to support several users and high data volume. Even if the kids are tying up data on social media you can still stream the game, no worries!

     

    Product Highlight

    Celerway Go

    The only portable, battery-powered mobile router to deliver Gigabit class connectivity with VPN encryption virtually anywhere, while being small enough to fit in your hand or stow in a laptop case.

     

    A solution suited for mobile use and flexibility, whether you want to connect on the boat, in the RV or at the bach the GO is the product for you. Pay for one connection and use it where-ever you like.

     

    Thanks to its innovative use of 2 simultaneous cellular WAN connections, GO gives teams working remotely—whether at stationary remote locations or on the go—seamless, secure access to company resources and IT infrastructure as if they’d never left the office.

    While solutions like consumer-grade mobile hotspot devices and mobile enterprise SD-WAN routers fall short, whether in performance, reliability, security, portability, or manageability, GO excels on all fronts to keep teams connected and productive wherever they are, while keeping company data secure and reducing IT workloads.

     
     

    Out-of-the-box VPN

    Get seamless, secure access to company resources from branch offices, remote sites, hotels, airports, home, etc., from day one. Enjoy seamless, simultaneous use of all available networks with Celerway Phantom VPN, built on WireGuard, the most modern, secure and efficient VPN.

     

    Security first deployment in minutes

    Secure your devices by always deploying only the latest firmware. Deploy enterprise-grade access control on Wi-Fi and Ethernet with 802.1x support.

    Nimbus remote administration

    Configure, update, and manage GO remotely through the cloud, monitor via SNMP. Maintain control of your remote endpoints, no matter how dispersed.

     

    Set up a Celerway GO with a limitless data plan from Global Marine and experience true freedom online. The built-in battery charges via USB-C and has the capability to charge your phone or another device on with USB. The unit can run for up to 7 hours under its own steam meaning true portability.

    Install an antenna on the boat and plug it in when you step onboard for extended range, do the same in your RV or bach if required. If you’re on the road for business and require fast connectivity for meetings or file transfers this is an ideal solution.

     

    Work from home, the beach, the bach or the boat with Celerway Go.

    Data plans from Global Marine offer a true uncapped plan with high-speed data all the way, and this is a month to month plan.

  • Marine Wi-Fi vs Cell Boosters

    Marine Wi-Fi vs Cell Boosters

    Which one is right for you?

     

    There is a lot of hype about marine cell boosters and 4G modems. Let’s take a look at the difference and see what solution will work best for you. Cell boosters and 4G modems have their place, it’s about finding the solution that works for you. We have gone over some of the finer points about both options and answered some of the frequently asked questions we get in the field.

     

    How do they work?

     

    Cell Boosters

    A cell booster uses an external antenna to pickup better stronger signal, and re-distributes that on a smaller scale to your phone. Boosters require an antenna to pickup the signal and an antenna to distribute this. Limitations occur when you have several users, or limitations on your data plan, however unlike a 4G data modem a booster will allow voice calls.

    While this can be a great solution for some, there are some drawbacks.

    1. Cell boosters are locked to a single network. If you have friends or family on the boat and their mobile is of a different provider, the system will not work for them. The system can only be locked to one provider at a time (Some systems allow you to change provider on the go, but still only 1-at-a-time).

    2. Relies on the data plan existing on your phone. Sure, you can connect and use your phone as a hotspot for your friends. However you are limited by your phones capability as a modem, the network speed of your connection and your data limitations. A few users streaming and this could become a very frustrating and slow network.

    3. It only boosts the signal it gets. If you have multiple devices connecting it will still only have the signal and throughput of “one-device” and will have limited speeds.

     

     

    4G Marine Wi-Fi

    Think of this like your modem at home or at work, however instead of relying on a fibre connection or broadband, the system uses 4G cell data. External cellular antennas pick up the signal much further out than a regular cell phone. The modem has it’s own SIM and plan – some offering FULL unlimited high-speed data with no caps.

    Modems can also allow a much smoother connection for different users and anyone onboard with Wi-Fi capability can connect and use the data plan. This means you can be watching the game while others may be video calling or streaming on other devices.

    Ideal for business applications, streaming media, or using live data feeds for marketing or social media.

    Here are some of the benefits of these systems as opposed to a cell booster:

    1. Any Wi-Fi device can connect.

    2. Load balancing – ability to handle several users without performance loss.

    3. International roaming.

    4. UNLIMITED DATA AT HIGH SPEED – Don’t rely on your 30gb per month plan, when you’re on the boat and the whole family wants to chew through your data.

    5. Your boat is online making way for security systems and monitoring, check out some options here.

     
     

    How much range are we talking here?

    Some of our clients at Global Marine are getting up to 70km offshore with suitable data speeds for streaming. This of course depends on several things. Think about 4G signal as line-of-sight, the higher your antenna, the further it can see. 4G signal typically drops off around 70km offshore at a max, you can see a rough coverage map here.

     
     

    Which is right for you?

    Some questions to ask yourself when deciding:

    1. Why do you need data? Business? Entertainment? Live streaming media?

    2. What is more important? Voice or Data? In saying this, you can do voice over Wi-Fi and apps like WhatsApp, Viber etc support Voice calls over data connections.

    3. How much data do you need? Are you streaming? Uploading? Do you need a stable fast connection for business applications?

    4. Which network are you using? Are you happy to be locked to that network?

    5. Will other people be onboard wanting to use this the data connection?

    6. Do you have onboard systems that require monitoring?

     

    What about the cost?

    Well, you may be surprised to hear that the hardware options for these solutions are similarly priced, however the 4G and modem setup does require a SIM card and a data plan. These differ depending on which plan you require and how much data you need.

     

    In this day and age it’s easy to see why data is so much more flexible when it comes to being connected. Messaging, calling, and streaming is all done over 4G data – you can be connected like you are in the home or office.

    Why work from home when you can work from the boat?
     

    At Global Marine we pride ourselves on being at the leading edge of tech in the marine sector. Partnered with the worlds best we only offer tried and true solutions.

    After years of research and development we have selected the best products for the job by combining antenna, modem and SIM in harmony. These solutions maximise on the existing 4G and cellular networks available by using antennas specifically designed for the job and pairing them with the right hardware.

     

    Get in touch and see why we’re the best and what options we have to suit your needs.

  • 5 Vessel Security Modules from GMTS and Ajax

    5 Vessel Security Modules from GMTS and Ajax

    Ever wondered about your boat’s security when you’re not around? Global Marine have teamed up with Ajax to offer bespoke wireless security systems for your boat.

     

    Ajax has a suite of wireless sensors, monitors, detectors and secure access devices. You can be notified for a range of different instances ie flood detection, fire detection, motion sensor cameras. You can even incorporate a remote key-fob system allowing only those with the remote to gain access to your vessel.

     

    1. Flood detection – Being notified about the bilges taking on water can really be the difference between life and death for your boat. Many boats on swing-moorings are not as accessible as those in a marina so being able to check on it can give peace of mind and also insurance benefits.

    2. Security cameras – Ever been suspect of unwelcome guests boarding your boat? Although many marinas around NZ and the world offer pretty good security it’s not uncommon to hear of people sneaking on to boats to raid the liquor cabinet, the fishing gear or even worse – taking off with your electronics or other valuables. Even the thought of a stranger poking around on your prized boat is enough to make some people pretty uncomfortable. Ajax cameras with motion detection will record when activated by the motion sensor and send you an image. Whether it is a kind neighbouring boat owner adjusting your dock-lines as a courtesy or some unsavoury type you will be well aware of what is happening onboard. You can even activate a siren remotely to deter unwanted guests if required.

    3. Fire detection – This may sound redundant as there is often not much you can do about a fire onboard if you’re not immediately at the scene. What this does give you is the ability to notify the marina, or the authorities that can help, and also provides some timeline of events, and even aids in investigating the source of the fire.

    4. Secure Access – Give a key-fob to your family members and friends who are likely to use the boat. This way you can see when they’re arrived or departed and well as be in the comfort of knowing that only those with access with be onboard and using the boat. You can also use a keypad that visitors will have to enter a code to unlock the boat and gain access. Ideal for workers and contractors as you can give a code or remotely unlock the doors when notified. You will also know when they came and left which is handy when the invoice comes in.

    5. Redundant Power – Even if your batteries are flat the Ajax wireless system has a proprietary power system meaning you are always connected to your vessel. That means no matter what you will always have protection and peace of mind.

     
     

    Whether you’re running a state of the art sports-fisher, a race yacht or a coastal cruiser, it’s good to be in touch with your vessel. Come and speak to GMTS about how we can create a lifetime connection between you and your asset like no other.

     
     

    Peace of mind, security, redundancy. – “With Ajax systems onboard I can check in on my boat during times of bad weather, as well as allow access to workers and contractors remotely with the peace of mind my vessel is always secure.” – Riviera owner

  • 5 Examples of Marine Wi-Fi Use in Real-World Applications

    5 Examples of Marine Wi-Fi Use in Real-World Applications

    Let’s look at some use cases for 4G applications onboard and how it’s helped our customers.

     
     

    1. Working remotely

    Workplaces are becoming ever more flexible so why not take your work with you when you head away on the boat? Nothing more frustrating than a sunny day with 5kt variable winds when you’re sitting in the office. With our new solutions and high speed unlmited 4G you can be connected like you never left the office. No one will know you’re sitting on the back of the boat working until the reels start screaming in the background of a call. Lifestyle is key, make the most of it.

     
     

    2. Entertainment

    If you’ve ever been sitting in a bay in the evening looking for something to do it’s pretty relaxing to be able to chuck a movie on. Unfortunately in many areas it’s hard to find a strong enough signal and good enough speed to do this. The answer is to use an antenna on the highest point in the boat to receive the best possible signal.

    Streaming requires about 25mbps for HD or 4K resolution and the phone with a hotspot can be patchy at best. Proper high speed connections eliminate this and offer a high quality experience much like having fibre at home. This goes for music, video and even gaming with a latency of around 19ms.

     
     

    3. Security

    Keeping connected withy our vessel is a great way of monitoring security. With one of our monitoring systems and a 4G connection you can be notified the moment someone steps onto the boat. Photos can even be sent straight through to your phone giving you the option to switch on a siren if the guest isn’t welcome. Get in touch with GMTS today to find out what we can offer.

     
     

    4. Monitoring

    Have you spent time awake at night when the weather’s terrible wondering how your vessel is fairing? Being connected means you can integrate bilges sensors, battery monitors, fire detection and more right to you phone or PC. With many solutions and options from Ajax systems GMTS has got you. Your insurance company will also be pleased to know that you’re keeping tabs on the boat.

     

    5. Safety

    Last and definitely not least – safety is a huge concern and being in touch saves lives. Remaining online means you can receive the latest weather updates and stay in touch with the world. You can share your location and even contact service agents for any technical or engineering issues on the boat. How good would it be to be able to video call a service agent to troubleshoot systems when you’re out at sea? It brings a new meaning to product support and trouble-free boating.

     
     

    I’m sure you’re now thinking of many ways to use a system like this and if you are, we have what you need. Get in touch with us at Global Marine to discuss options that will suit your boat and your needs.

  • Onboard Security and Monitoring

    Onboard Security and Monitoring

    Everyone wants to know their assets are protected, including your insurer. One way to give you peace of mind is by implementing a security and monitoring system on your boat. Some of the solutions include security cameras, bilge sensors, fire detection and battery monitors.

    Security Cameras

    Security cameras can be installed on your boat with motion detection and setup to take a photo once activated sending it directly to your phone. Should you be expecting a maintenance contractors or crew onboard you will know who it is and when they arrive. If the visitor is unexpected there is option to add a siren which can be remotely activated, or even a speaker so you can communicate with them.

    Being able to check in on live cameras is a great benefit should bad weather be coming through as well. You will be able to notify marina staff should something be wrong or there is a threat to your vessels security.

    Bilge Sensors

     

    Sensors can be placed in a vessels bilge to notify the owner if excess water ingress has taken place and also gives an indication of whether the auto bilge system on your boat is operating properly. Global Marine offers systems which run independently to your boat’s system meaning even you have a power failure this system will remain online.

     

    Fire Detection

     

    I know what you’re thinking… what can I do if this happens? All too often by the time you have a fire onboard things move pretty quickly and it may be too late. Some more intensive setups can integrate with onboard fire-fighting systems which can be activated remotely. Being able to place sensors in different areas of the boat also means that if an investigation does need to take place there will be a record of what sensors were activated. As electrical faults are the most common source of ignition on boats having a system run independently offers great protection.

     

    Battery and Power Monitoring

     

    Have you considered what you may lose should you have a power shortage onboard? Apart from whatever is in the freezer power loss can affect anything electrical in the boat, like the bilge systems for example. Knowing that your boat is online and that the essential equipment is operating – like bilge pumps, brings great peace of mind. And let’s face it, there is nothing worse than turning up to a boat to head out on a nice day and finding the batteries have gone flat and you can’t start the main engines, or even worse, your freezer full of bait has turned off leaving you with a horrible mess to deal with. No body wants that.

    Use Cases

     

    If you’re a boat owner you’re all about looking after your boat, after all – you’ve worked hard to afford a nice boat and time on the water is one of life’s finest therapies.

    LINK allows owners and crew to check in on systems to monitor and control, being able to implement hierarchical access means you can give limited access to members of a group allowing them to attend to any issues.

    LINK can integrate with any system onboard and offer control and monitoring remotely. If you have an issue with say a generator, main engine, AV system – you can give remote access to the technician or support person for the product in question. This means an efficiently run vessel saving time and money by being able to troubleshoot on the fly.

    If LINK sounds like overkill for your application then Ajax systems can offer simple effective security and monitoring. This can include things like keyfobs for family and friends likely to use the boat and keypad access for workers.

     

    There really are many ways to ensure your vessel is safe and secure. Contact our team at GMTS to find out how we can help you protect your asset.

  • Fleet Monitoring with LINK

    Fleet Monitoring with LINK

    An all systems go, full time, full integration monitoring system with remote access. With LINK you can monitor a fleet of vessels to maximise efficiency and productivity and minimise downtime.

     

    • Monitor all your onboard devices (marine, network IP and AV) locally and from anywhere in the world.

    • Live two-way control of your onboard devices and equipment, both locally and from anywhere in the world.

    • LINK Supports integration with all onboard protocols, including NMEA, KNX, Böning, and C-Zone.

    • Full fleet management capabilities to manage all your vessels in one place. LINK corporate cloud is also available for boatbuilders and dealers.

    • LINK sends alerts and status updates to all your chosen devices by email, SMS or WhatsApp, and can also notify your crew if required.

    • LINK is easy to integrate with your existing smart home system, including Control4, Crestron, Elan, Savant, and RTI

      Designed to keep you running.

      LINK is like having a 24-hour engineer that can see in many places at once, monitoring multiple systems, so you don’t have to. What’s more, with your permission, your maintenance team can pro-actively monitor your vessel in real-time to ensure everything is optimised and working flawlessly when you need it.

      Simplify control.

      LINK provides unmatched control, designed from the ground up to ensure simplicity and ease of use. The intuitive interfaces are shared across devices and bring control to the palm of your hand. Turn on the underwater lights remotely from a beach picnic, drop the shades in your cabin or turn the AC off; control of your vessel is quite literally at your fingertips.

      Free up your crew.

      LINK serves them, so they can better serve you. Alongside providing complete vessel monitoring and control directly from the helm or via smartphones, LINK offers a range of solutions to streamline your crew’s workload. From diagnostic tools to fuel usage report generation to documentation logging, LINK is an invaluable addition to the team.

      LINKbridge

      Custom-designed hardware crafted in the UK to provide you with maximum connectivity and control options. This state-of-the-art technology is easy to install and retrofit. LINKbridge ties together all the systems on your vessel and can be accessed with or without internet, both on and off your vessel, via a computer, smartphone, or multifunction display.

      LINKcloud

      The central management hub that brings together all your vessels, crew, boat builders, dealers, and maintenance providers. Feature-rich and completely secure, the LINKcloud provides complete monitoring and control, alongside collaborative options such as electronic document storage, messaging, and vessel cellular data management. LINKcloud is designed to be adaptive; use it for a single vessel or an entire fleet.

      LINKapp

      Your vessel, in the palm of your hand. Simple, user-friendly control of automations, vessel monitoring, and smart devices. Send messages to your crew and maintenance team via the LINK messaging service and set your personalised preferences, including which alerts you want to receive. Effortlessly switch between light or dark mode settings.

      LINKdisplay

      Make the most of LINK with our intuitive apps for the leading brands of onboard multifunction displays. Developed at the request of captains and crew, the full power of LINK is now available from the bridge, designed to provide your crew with full monitoring, control, and alerts to keep your vessel running perfectly.

      Keep Watch

      View up to 10 separate security cameras directly through the LINK smartphone or display apps. Different vessels use different camera brands. LINK, therefore, uses an open standard supported by the widest possible range of cameras to offer integration with your existing security system. What’s more, LINK also monitors your cameras and can alert you if a camera stops working or loses network connection.

      Fleet Transparancy

      LINK makes managing multiple vessels effortless. See a global overview of all your vessels on one screen, including their location and status. You can also check at a glance that everything is functioning as expected. View your vessels on a map or in list view, or simply filter by status. You can also take advantage of LINK’s advanced search functionality to jump straight to a specific vessel. Each vessel has its own dashboard that displays vessel-specific information, including location, status and monitored devices.

       

      Geo-Fencing

      LINK comes complete with geofencing functionality, so you always know your vessel’s location at all times.Simply define an area on the map around your vessel; an alert is sent if your vessel moves outside this boundary. LINK’s advanced notification technology means you can choose which vessel users or members of your crew receive this alert, whether they’re on board or on the other side of the world. Furthermore, with LINK routines, you can automatically act on this alert by disabling onboard systems and instrumentation to prevent anyone from absconding with your vessel.

       

      HiberLINK

      Your LINKbridge is uniquely equipped to function in a low power mode known as HiberLINK. This is ideal for use if your vessel is being stored for an extended period or being transported without shore power hook up or a battery charger.

      HiberLINK uses innovative built-in technology to monitor an internal GPS, accelerometer and gyro, as well as transmit events. This ensures you always know the location of your vessel as well as alerting you to any incidents that occur, such as an unexpected impact whilst your vessel is being transferred from land to sea. LINK can also use this same technology to send daily status updates from your vessel, alerting you to any changes in the onboard environment or battery issues, even while the main systems are turned off.

      Limitless Integration

      LINK’s powerful alert technology offers unrivalled customisation to ensure you’re always informed about the state of your onboard devices. Receive automatic critical and warning alerts, as well as informative notifications from NMEA devices, for example, if your oil pressure is low or your AC systems require servicing.

       

      Innovation

      A world first, LINK also allows for the creation of custom alerts and isn’t restricted to NMEA devices. Use real-time information to trigger an alert for any value of any device. Alerts can be customised to trigger based on a single condition, or a combination of conditions, giving you complete oversight of your vessel. Want to ensure you’re not draining too much power from the battery? Just build an alert that that advises your battery levels are low and shore power is not connected.

       

      Automation

      Alerts can also be extended into routines, allowing actions to be performed when conditions are met. Want to make sure the batteries are topped up? Add a command to start the generator and battery charger if the battery drops below a certain threshold. Alerts and routines are also tied into LINK’s advanced notification system, allowing you to relax in the knowledge the correct people are notified for each situation.

       

      Talk to Global Marine today about LINK vessel management systems today and see how we can change the way you operate you vessel or fleet.

  • Wi-Fi on Boats

    Wi-Fi on Boats

    Looking for a solution to poor signal and slow speeds on the boat? We hear you, and there is a solution to suit your needs, 4G and Wi-Fi systems offering better signal and better speeds.

    Global Marine is the leader in high end tech solutions for the marine industry. Our team has years of experience in this sector and has put together packages that really perform. Clients are messaging us from up to 70km offshore just to let us know they’re still connected.

     

    We only work with the best, and this is why our solutions outperform most others.

     

    The Right Gear for the Job.

     

    Don’t settle for average. Do it once, do it properly, future-proof your solution.

     

    What is Required?

     

    Firstly it’s important to know what you are trying to achieve, do you want to stream the All Blacks game while sitting in a bay or out fishing? Or do you want to be able to stay on top of work with Zoom calls or remote meetings? Maybe you just want to keep the kids quiet online on long passages.

     
    “We were streaming from Invercargill to Stewart Island with no downtime.” – M/Y Duchessa (32m Johnson Motor Yacht)
     

    The Antenna

     

    It will come as no surprise to you that the antenna is an integral part of picking up good signal, especially offshore. The further out you go from the cell stations the poorer the signal will be. The higher up the better, but if the antenna in use is not specifically design for the application you will get sub-par performance which can be very frustrating. There are many options available for big boats and small, we’ll make sure you get the right one for your needs.

     

    The Modem

     

    Partnered with several manufacturers offering high spec, high quality 4G modems. Portable battery powered solutions or twin CAT12 modems offering up to 1Gbps download are available (Higher speeds available, just ask!). Speak to us for more technical advice and we can suggest the best from our range to suit.

    The Install

     

    Every bit counts, that is – antenna, cabling, modem. From top to bottom the components have to be configured correctly to allow for the best possible performance. Positioning the antenna, running the cable and positioning the modem all have a part to play in the overall performance. The shorter the cable the better the signal, and the closer the modem to the users, the better the Wi-Fi. Consider things like radar, spotlights etc all potential blockers to your antenna’s signal, likewise you do not want to mount the modem in a compartment surrounded by steel. We have a network of approved quality installers to ensure the job is done right.

     

    The SIM or Data Plan

     

    Most plans are pretty good these days and offer unrestricted speeds for a limited amount of data. It’s important to get a plan that isn’t going to slow down on you and drop out in the middle of that rugby game or important business meeting. Different networks also work better that others in different areas. We use Vodafone and offer fully unlimited data packages with no speed restrictions with our systems.

     

    In Summary

     

    If you are after un-interrupted high-speed data to keep you connected on the boat then give us a call or get in touch. Our clients use data for a range of reason whether it be entertainment, streaming solutions for marketing or running businesses remotely.

     

    Don’t hesitate to get in touch if you’re after a solution like this, our team will be happy to take your enquiry.

    “No one else can offer us unlimited data cards in NZ. It’s a big difference for our guests and owner alike.” – M/Y Mahoenui (40m Princess Motor Yacht)

  • Cyber Security in the Marine World – A part of the Advanced Maritime Pilot Course

    Cyber Security in the Marine World – A part of the Advanced Maritime Pilot Course

    Putting the final touches on my presentation for this upcoming Thursday at the Advanced Maritime Pilot Training Course (Virtual).

     

    Honoured to be asked to contribute to an excellent course run by the NZ Maritime School.