Fugro SeaSTAR has announced the introduction of a new range of asset monitoring and tracking services for the marine industry.
The SeaSTAR Asset Monitoring Service (SAMS) is intended for use on both fixed and moving platforms, including buoys and operational vessels, permitting owners to monitor position, status and behaviour of onboard sensors and systems, and to exercise remote control of key functions.
The system is highly flexible and can be tailored to meet specific user requirements.
SAMS comprises four basic functions: (1) data collection and processing onboard the asset, (2) data transmission to and from the assets via SeaSTAR's message handling server, (3) analysis and presentation of data to suit user preferences and (4) alarms.
The basic onboard SeaSTAR installation includes a GPS/DGPS receiver, application processor, communications module and backup battery in case of external power supply failure. For more complex requirements, such as navigation and oceanographic buoy monitoring, Fugro offers the R-200 series of terminals that provide advanced outstation-initiated fault reporting with two-way data communications.
Data from the vessel is transmitted to shore via satellite or GSM to a secure web server maintained by Fugro SeaSTAR. For worldwide communications, the Inmarsat C , D+ or Orbcomm service may be used. For near-shore applications, GSM is preferred. The system can support two-way text messaging in addition to the data and alarm reporting.
Data can be accessed from the SAMS web server via an Internet browser using a dial-up or permanent connection. Multi-level password protection is provided.
If the user desires to have the data on their own local- or wide-area network, SAMS data can be transferred to and from the Fugro server to the user's own network via an encrypted Virtual Private Network (VPN) between firewalls at each end. In this way, the client-installed system can integrate fully with existing IT infrastructure, while still using a standard HTML browser for viewing.
For alarms, the remote hardware can be configured for "exception reporting," so that it sends messages only when an alarm condition is triggered, thereby avoiding the need for constant polling, resulting in significant cost savings.
In addition, the web-based monitor can be set up to notify a prioritised list of users, by fax, e-mail or SMS, whenever a particular situation arises.
"Fugro has a long history of broadcasting, collecting and managing data for the marine community," said Phil Milne, general manager. "Experience has shown that no single solution ever meets all user requirements.
That's why we designed our asset monitoring and tracking services to provide flexibility and choice at every level, meeting the full range of user specifications."
Fugro SeaSTAR (UK) is an operating unit of Fugro N.V., a multi-national group of companies that provide geotechnical, survey and positioning services worldwide.
