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Reserve Your Seat TodayMonitoring door and hatch statuses on a large maritime vessel can be a challenging task. This is especially true when the process involves integrating with a ship's existing Alarm Monitoring System (AMS). This was exactly the challenge faced by one of our clients, an international engineering consultant, as discussed in a recent conversation with Jared, a DPS engineer.
As we review their conversation, we will see:
Our client needed a solution to monitor the open/closed status of approximately 45 doors and hatches on a 70-meter ship. The main requirement was to integrate this monitoring system with their existing AMS. Their goal was to ensure real-time status updates and alerts.
"Looking for a Hatch and Doors monitoring system to be installed on board, more or less 45 doors. Sensors can be magnetic or mechanical (limit switch). Controller module must integrate with a major system to report door & hatches statuses," our client explained.
This highlighted the essential needs for reliable sensors and easy integration capabilities.
Many existing solutions either lacked the ability to integrate smoothly with a custom AMS or were too limited in their capacity to handle numerous inputs across a large area like a 70-meter ship.
Clients from many industries often face difficulties in scalability and real-time status reporting. These two are critical for effective monitoring and quick response times in a maritime environment. Our client noted:
"If auxiliary boxes are only connections they will need to be connected into controller module in order to report via Ethernet link to an alarm management system. Nice challenge, isn't it? For sure there is some good solution available among your products."
Imagine a system that meets all the technical requirements for integration, scalability, and real-time monitoring. Such a solution would be ideal for these types of operations.
A solution like this would use proven hardware capable of handling multiple sensor inputs and providing instant alerts to the AMS. This setup would maintain the ship crew's awareness of the status of all doors and hatches.
This consistent awareness enhances safety and operational efficiency of the vessel. If an issue were to arise, you'd never be confused about what tools would be needed or which of your team members should be sent.
DPS Telecom's devices support a variety of protocols, including SNMP. This protocol was crucial for integrating with the client's custom AMS. As Jared pointed out during the conversation:
"All of our devices can send email notifications and/or SNMP traps when in alarm. The devices can also be polled over SNMP if you wanted to poll them."
This capability ensures that the AMS can receive real-time status updates from the monitoring system. This keeps the crew informed about the door and hatch statuses at all times.
Given the maritime environment, the equipment needed to be reliable under different power conditions and physical stresses. The NetGuardian devices come with flexible power input options. These input options align well with the power sources available on the client's ship and include -48VDC and +24VDC. Jared explained the power flexibility:
"Is there something like -48VDC available, or +24VDC? If not, I can include a wall transformer to power the unit using commercial power."
The design of DPS Telecom's devices ensures they can withstand the challengingly diverse conditions often encountered in maritime settings. This durability ensures long-term reliability and performance.
To effectively implement the monitoring system on a large 70-meter vessel, detailed planning and a strategic approach are essential. Our client recognized the complexity of this task and sought our expertise to devise a comprehensive plan.
Given the extensive layout of the ship, a single monitoring unit would not get the job done. Jared explained the necessity of distributing several units to ensure coverage across different zones of the vessel:
"Since the ship is so large, we would probably have to go with 3 or 4 smaller units (or maybe more) to collect those alarms in different zones."
This strategic deployment ensures that all doors and hatches are monitored effectively without overwhelming a single unit. We'd also be working within the specs for max length of communication cables. This consideration enhances the reliability and accuracy of the monitoring system.
Reliable communication between the monitoring units and the AMS is crucial for real-time updates. The NetGuardian units utilize Ethernet connections, aiding in efficient data transmission. This setup was confirmed as a viable option by our client:
"I would say yes, it is an option to integrate into the main controller module."
By leveraging the ship's existing Ethernet infrastructure, the monitoring system can provide continuous, real-time status updates to the AMS. This makes sure that any changes in door or hatch statuses are promptly reported.
Each ship and its operational requirements can be unique, causing a need for a customized approach to monitoring solutions. Our client emphasized the importance of integration with their proprietary AMS and maintaining constant status updates for each door.
NetGuardian models are designed to be versatile and integrate with various management systems. Jared highlighted the flexibility of our NetGuardian units in handling different protocols.
This capability ensures that the NetGuardian units can easily communicate with the client's AMS and provide constant monitoring and real-time alerts.
Maintaining an up-to-date status of all monitored doors is critical. The client specified the need for the AMS to know the status of each door at all times. Jared reassured that this requirement would be met:
"If the AMS can receive SNMP traps then it will always know the status of each door in real time."
This continuous monitoring capability is vital for maintaining the safety and security of the vessel. Continuous monitoring also enables the crew to respond quickly to any unauthorized access or other potential issues.
Ease of installation and configuration is a significant advantage of the NetGuardian units. Our client appreciated the professional design and user-friendly interface. These two features simplify the setup process and reduce the likelihood of errors during installation.
The design of the NetGuardian units includes features like the 50-pin Amphenol ports for discrete inputs and optional back panels. This design was highlighted as a key benefit:
"The Amphenol ports would connect to a 66 block, or if you'd like, we can include a pluggable panel that connects to the Amphenol ports."
These design elements contribute to a clean and efficient installation. This makes it easier for technicians to connect and configure the system.
An important aspect of door status monitoring is guaranteeing that alerts accurately reflect the NO/NC polarity of the door sensor. Jared explained how the polarity of discrete alarm inputs could be reversed through the software:
"Through the software in the web interface, we can reverse the polarity of the discrete alarm inputs. So when a door is opened you get an alarm, and when the door closes you get a 'clear' notification."
This feature ensures that alerts are precise and relevant. The detail from these alerts provides the necessary clarity for effective monitoring and response.
By focusing on strategic deployment and a smooth installation and integration, you will have a comprehensive and effective solution for monitoring doors and hatches on large maritime vessels.
Customizable and user-friendly NetGuardian RTUs allow you to maintain high standards of safety and operational efficiency.
If you're ready to implement a new monitoring system, contact DPS Telecom today. Our expert engineers are prepared to help you design a solution that meets your specific needs and ensures reliable monitoring.
Call DPS now at 1-800-693-0351 or email sales@dpstele.com.
Andrew Erickson
Andrew Erickson is an Application Engineer at DPS Telecom, a manufacturer of semi-custom remote alarm monitoring systems based in Fresno, California. Andrew brings more than 17 years of experience building site monitoring solutions, developing intuitive user interfaces and documentation, and opt...
