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PATROL CRAFT EQUIPMENT found in Raymarine’s ? rst responder interface kits that are

Encrypted, Protected and Next Generation Technology

Beyond the need for robust hulls and competent sailors sold over the counter and off the shelf with no price increase. to bring them out to sea, operators ? rst need the ability to Today, the ? rst responder is getting Search and Rescue pat- transmit data securely. To that end, and leveraging the same terns and Target Intercept plotting with the COTS version

VHF frequency band as AIS, Raymarine’s LightHouse OS offered by Raymarine. These are features unique to Rayma- is the ? rst Commercially-Developed, Military-Quali? ed rine. Currently, though, outside agencies are limited to just navigation system to send and receive data via encrypted Search and Rescue patterns and target intercept. Eventu-

SBU Type-III Tactical Data Exchange System (STEDS.) ally, and once the Coast Guard locks down the encrypted

Designed speci? cally for the needs of the United States software features, other agencies will be able to order the

Coast Guard and ? rst responders, SBU Type-III encryp- systems with the Coast Guard speci? c software. Notably, tion-ready LightHouse software also supports secure text that will add features such as encrypted vessel-to-vessel text communication between agencies, enabling crews to send messaging, encrypted vessel-to-vessel target intercept shar- and receive short messages with tasking and status reports. ing and the ability to receive and send search patterns to

Abeyta describes the system like this: “Our LightHouse and from command centers to the ? rst responder’s tool kit. operating system for the Coast Guard is certi? ed to Sensi- As more of these components become available on the tive But Unclassi? ed (SBU) Type III encryption require- open market to state and local agencies, FLIR and Rayma- ments. This allows the ‘good guys’ to share information rine will help to strengthen the interoperability of all ? rst without fear of that data falling into the wrong hands.” responders as they also satisfy the needs of their primary

The encrypted MFD and the network it participates on customer, the U.S. Coast Guard.

also ensures the accuracy and completeness of messages, tasking orders, and other missions. McGowan adds, “Con-

Safety: a Partnership with Customers sider a SAR pattern, which in the past would need to be At its lowest common denominator, this type of equip- manually plotted on a chart or entered into an electronic ment all comes down to safety. McGowan insists, “Our system. Not only was it time-consuming, but also the po- LightHouse operating system was designed with safety and tential for data entry errors was very high. Our integrated, situational awareness in mind. For example, the electronic secure system allows a SAR pattern to arrive digitally with- charting system is customized to the class of vessel it is out the need to manually copy it down or plot it out. It is installed on. The system knows the navigational draft, air essentially ready-to-use when it’s ‘beamed’ aboard.” draft and beam of the ship or boat and uses the data em- bedded in the navigation chart to alert the crew in advance to potential hazards. This can be especially critical in a

SAR Patterns, Automatic Generation & Display

Raymarine MFDs can generate electronic navigation- high-speed rescue, intercept or pursuit-type operation. An compatible search patterns that comply with the require- alert, warning or cue from the system can help to prevent ments of the International Maritime Search and Rescue grounding or collision.”

Manual (IMSAR). These pre-programmed SAR (search Joseph B. Abeyta agrees. “Total system integration is re- and rescue) patterns aid rescue agencies by ensuring search ally where we shine. Of course, the Raymarine and FLIR accuracy and increasing the probability of detection. components work together seamlessly, but that it to be ex-

When interfaced to a compatible eAIS transceiver, en- pected. The extra work we’ve put in to deliver the secure crypted Raymarine multifunction navigation systems communications, SAR patterns, intercepts, and more re- can display Blue Force AIS symbology, along with con- ally put us out in front.” In the end, Raymarine and FLIR ventional AIS targets. Mariners see the optimal course for didn’t arrive at this juncture alone.

intercepting any AIS or Radar (MARPA/ARPA) target of McGowan sums it up nicely, saying, “We knew going interest with easy-to-understand graphics that automati- into this that we would need to listen to the speci? c needs cally update as conditions change or targets attempt eva- of our customers, and deliver a solution that was powerful, sive maneuvers. reliable and simple to use. It’s not just delivering on a con- tract. There is also a very strong sense of partnership we’ve developed with our ? rst responder customers that helps us

Municipal Customers and First Responders

Raymarine boasts that it has changed the landscape for to deliver the tools they want and need to accomplish their the ? rst responder. The proof behind that statement can be missions.” Knowing that, I feel safer already.

June 2018

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