| When I decided to expand my lifetime of residential | | | | for remote notification. |
| electronic security knowledge into the marine security | | | | It's important to make sure that your monitoring |
| world, I was absolutely amazed at how many alarm | | | | device is also designed specifically for the marine |
| manufacturers were attempting to pawn off the | | | | environment, just as the alarm control and all its |
| systems they designed for normal residential and | | | | devices should be. |
| commercial use, as" Marine Security Systems." As a | | | | Here are some available marine alarm systems, |
| boating enthusiast myself, with a vessel in the great | | | | monitoring options: |
| Pacific Northwest, I knew that most things in life | | | | Cellular: A cellular communicator is triggered from your |
| don't hold up to the marine environment that we | | | | alarm system, by a security or supervisory violation. |
| keep our boats in. That's precisely why we buy most | | | | The cellular communicator determines which numbers |
| replacement parts from a marine parts purveyor and | | | | are to be called, (based on the type of signal) and |
| not an auto parts dealer, unless we don't care how | | | | notifies you via text message of the violation. The |
| long they last. | | | | cellular communicators use a pre-paid SIM card that |
| I began my research by asking myself "how can | | | | you keep a desired amount of minutes on, and |
| these systems be marine alarms, if they aren't | | | | recharge over the phone as needed with your credit |
| modified in any way to withstand the harsh | | | | card. On some marine systems, the cellular |
| environment?" After inspection of many units and | | | | communicators will both text message you, and give |
| specifications, the answer was clear. They are not | | | | you a voice message of the exact condition if you |
| worthy of being called marine security systems! | | | | answer the phone. These types of units will also |
| Without being designed to withstand environmental | | | | allow you to enter commands for arming/disarming |
| issues such as salt and/or damp air, constant | | | | the system, turning lights and appliances on/off, and |
| vibration, temperature extremes, etc. the systems | | | | even listen in on the vessel and talk to onboard |
| will likely not be functioning soon after the | | | | parties via the alarm control and your cell phone. You |
| warrantee's expire. To be truly a marine grade | | | | can also add a GPS unit to these cellular units for |
| security system, you need to design the product | | | | vessel tracking via the internet. Cellular units are best |
| from the ground up, just for the purpose they will be | | | | used on inland waters and in places where the boat |
| functioning in. Marine alarm system controls should be | | | | will not be away from a cell towers reach, or in |
| housed in NMEAIII enclosures (rated for water | | | | roaming conditions. |
| resistance), have all the electronics coated and | | | | Satellite: These units monitor all conditions as above |
| potted, and have an epoxy seal over all the | | | | with the cellular units, but have worldwide |
| components that are necessary for function, but not | | | | communications capability. These units have GPS |
| needed for user interface. | | | | tracking ability as well. They require a satellite |
| The blatant misuse of common household motion | | | | subscription which gives you a personal webpage for |
| detectors is a disaster when used on boats. When | | | | your boat. The unit texts you if there are any |
| using these devices, the bumping of a vessel on a | | | | violations and will allow you completely control |
| dock, the window treatments swaying as the boat | | | | tracking and vessel systems through the website. |
| moves in the wakes and winds, the extreme amount | | | | Some systems combine cellular control and reporting |
| of sunlight that lands on the vessel, creatures | | | | with satellite trackers for when the vessel is out of |
| entering protected areas, etc. will do little more than | | | | cell range. |
| cause constant false alarms. Instead motion should be | | | | Internet Protocol: This type of system texts and |
| detected by hidden pressure sensors placed under | | | | emails you of vessel alarm and supervisory conditions. |
| decks and ladders, to warn of intruders boarding the | | | | You must have internet access onboard to use these |
| vessel. If interior cabin motion detectors are used at | | | | systems. Internet onboard can be accomplished with |
| all, they need to be dual technology devices that are | | | | wireless routers, express cards, EVDO cards (laptop |
| designed to need two technology violations in order | | | | cards), and satellite communications. These systems |
| to be used in boats. In addition to the pressure | | | | allow you complete control of system devices, |
| sensors protecting the decks, marine grade contacts | | | | lighting and appliance controls and motion sensing |
| should be placed on doors, hatches and lockers, | | | | video cameras both inside and outside of your vessel. |
| preventing entry into restricted areas. | | | | Imagine the satisfaction of being able to not only |
| Additional devices that are made just for boat | | | | know that someone is on your boat but being able |
| security systems, which will help you, supervise | | | | to see them as well, through streaming video to your |
| important boat systems include: | | | | PC or Java enabled cell phone. These units store |
| - Bilge sensors (high water detectors in case of bilge | | | | video of violations, on an off vessel server. Even if |
| pump failure) | | | | the unit itself was stolen, you would still have video |
| - AC detectors (monitors shore power) | | | | of who did it. These units require a monthly server |
| - DC detectors (monitors low battery banks) | | | | subscription for access to the web page that |
| - Temperature detectors (monitors temperature | | | | controls your vessels systems. |
| extremes in cabins and engine rooms) | | | | I have developed a comprehensive website where |
| - Smoke detectors (early interior fire protection) | | | | you can learn all about the finest available systems |
| - GPS tracking antennas (monitors boat movement, | | | | that have been designed just for the marine |
| speed, coarse and heading) | | | | environment. You will also find pricing and availability |
| - Sounder chimes (lets you know of violations when | | | | of your perfect system, while enjoying the detailed |
| your below, with the system disarmed) | | | | specifications of the various systems. |
| You can use your marine alarm as a standalone | | | | Use the link below for a visit and get all your |
| system that will warn of violations with a loud siren | | | | questions answered there! |
| and flashing lights, or you can add a monitoring device | | | | |