Page 40: of Marine News Magazine (November 2015)

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BOATBUILDING and onboard networked communication are revolution- tems such as dynamic positioning systems, satellite com- izing modern workboat equipment as we have previously munications, and internet protocol television (IPTV) are known it. More and more mechanical based equipment the foundational backbone to what could be a short bridge now features a digital component to allow for networked to cross over to unmanned operations.

communications, monitoring, and diagnostics. Captains

AILURE TO AUNCH and crew members alike have found communicative sys- F L tems bene? cial and are now driving the demand for smart- Tough choices lay ahead. Builders face a tough predica- er boats. Along with that comes the need for increasingly ment for customers who want to linger in the mechanical sophisticated mariners to operate that equipment. One world with demands for analog displays that they themselves without the other is a bad idea, indeed. have stamped as tried and true. Such technology is on an ob-

The pull through digital demand has also driven the solescence course and sometimes the best that can be offered requirement for cross-system compatibility with real time is a digital representation of the same analog equipment. communication. CAN-based networking makes this level The newest models of mobile phone devices are not pur- of communication possible and the cost is easily afford- chased because the old model fails to no longer make a good able. Managing the networked equipment interface has call. New devices simply offer more features and in more also become more tangible and user-friendly. Voice acti- areas, thus creating a new experience and an elevated im- vation and touch screen control is bound to become the portance of needs and reliance. The same is true for modern new norm in contemporary glass-bridge pilot houses. Ma- workboats; however, with the quick and continual release of retron’s N2KView with customizable display screens and new technology stems a greater potential for latent defects.

vast monitoring functions, for example, is one of the most A prominent ? eet operator recently shared an experi- complete interface systems available. Furuno has also re- ence detailing four service calls for an engine mechanic cently released a new multifunction system, the NavNet to collect technical data and make adjustments to the en-

TZTouch2, which features multi-touch navigation with a gine’s computer. The four separate visits occurred during host of other high end vessel electronics features integrated the busy summer operations, so the operator mandated into a single touch screen system. that the technician come along for the day long voyage

And, the pilot house of the future may be one that elimi- to avoid being inconvenienced with an unpro? table dock nates sea sickness altogether as unmanned and drone based stay. It was not until the vessel was underway that the tech- technology progress to break into the marine environment. nician discovered that his laptop software was not prop-

What started as military-only use, recently expanded to the erly con? gured to collect the data and make the changes. hydrographic survey and research segments and now the Fortunately, after three unproductive attempts, the proper workboat sector seems primed to be next in line to demo technology was sourced and the repair was implemented.

the potential for unmanned technology. Unmanned tech- Similarly, my Bavarian-built car remained at the deal- nology should more appropriately be considered remote ership for over a month because the mechanics did not manned technology, as there will always be a requirement know how to ? x it. The technician would do some pro- for human oversight. The latest in advanced control sys- gramming on the vehicle computer until it indicated that

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