Article

3DPortGuard Docking Aid


published on 24 August 2021 381 -

Australian technology provider Frontier Automation has released a new vessel tracking system that can be used as a docking aid tool by pilots. As for all Frontier Automation control systems, it uses 3D machine vision to automatically detect and track in real time shipping vessels within range of a berth by providing information on critical distances to mooring infrastructure, on vessel speed and angle, and on vessel movement directions and orientations.

Frontier Automation’s permanently installed LiDAR docking aid system is intended to be a set and forget solution. It fully autonomously tracks every single mooring cycle of all attending vessels, without the need for any error prone manual equipment set up, and without the need for any equipment to be brought on board the vessel.

Frontier Automation have carefully designed an intuitive PPU display that provides all critical information to pilots during the berthing process as per AMPI specifications in the PPU Code of Good Practice for the Implementation and Use of Portable Piloting Units.

All approach events are automatically recorded in a data base external to the PPU that can be searched and recalled to replay as a video and numerically assess any docking event.

The value proposition for 3DPortGuard from a pilot’s perspective is that it makes a pilot’s core activity of berthing large vessels simpler, safer, and provides piece of mind when compared to the use of conventional GNSS docking aid systems because:


  • Pilots don’t need to bring anything on board other than their PPU, i.e. no weighty or bulky docking aid system transport by the pilot for set up on the vessel which can be a hazard during the ladder transfer from tug to vessel, because the system works remotely
  • Pilots don’t need to set up anything on board the vessel, which can be error prone for GNSS based systems if the piloting phase is stressful due to:

    • Limited time window to do so
    • Difficulty to complete the set up on vessel because of adverse conditions such as night-time darkness, foul weather, distractions from other tasks
    • Fatigue due to excess work hours caused by delays or extension of shifts, particularly night shifts

  • The system is 100% reliable and is not susceptible to the intermittency of accuracy creating a collision risk that GNSS based docking aid systems are known for
  • The system is always on and available to the PPU display whilst in range of the berth pocket, it does not need any manual intervention by pilots at all to make it available
  • Full 3D replay and numerical assessment of historical docking events provides the platform for safe procedure development and training

Join the conversation...

Login or register to write comments and join the discussion!
LV
Louis Vest Houston Pilots, USA
on 30 August 2021, 19:19 UTC

"Pilots don’t need to bring anything on board other than their PPU, i.e. no weighty or bulky docking aid system transport by the pilot". A good pilot PPU does exactly what is discussed in the press release.
0

Read more...

Video SeaSafe - Marine pilot falling off a ships ladder with his integrated life jacket coat

published on 4 July 2019

SeaSafe - Marine pilot falling off a ships ladder with his integrated life jacket coat

0

Video TRENZ Pilot Plug - Wärtsilä Pilot PRO

published on 5 July 2019

This video shows how to use the TRENZ Pilot Plug with an iPad and the app Wärtsilä Pilot PRO.
Wärtsilä Pilot PRO can be bought from the Apple AppStore: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/wärts...
Please visit https://trenz-pilotplug.com/ for more information.

0

Video View and track defects on vessels in the Saab Pilot Control program

published on 26 August 2020

This is a description of how to view and track defects on vessels in the Saab Pilot Control program.

1

Article Pilot Boarding and Landing – use of Personal Emergency Radio Devices

by Nick Lee, T&TC Chairman, UK Pilots - published on 4 February 2020

Personal Locator Beacons (PLB) and other individual MOB devices have been available for some years now and have evolved to incorporate a variety of different alerting methods and combinations. However, usage of these additional enhancements within UK Pilotage is still in its infancy.

0

Video LifeSava: Remotely Operated Rescue Vessel Demonstration

published on 30 June 2021

Check out the first video demonstration of the capabilities of our new LifeSava marine rescue vehicle! - Made in Australia! - Remotely-Operated - Fully self-righting and water-tight, making it un-sinkable! - Enough power to tow a person Check out more: http://maritimerobotics.com.au/lifesava Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAfHzHxBVVnc6kfQCDMytlQ?sub_confirmation=1

0

Opinion Harbor Pilots, the Boeing 737 MAX and Automation

by Capt. Jim Wright , Southwest Alaska Pilots Association (retired) - published on 5 March 2020

The debate is whether highly skilled pilots could have successfully overcome the recent Boeing 737 MAX computer deficiencies. Will this question eventually be relevant to harbor pilot skills?

0

Video 2022 Nederland Vlissingen Loodsboten Pioneer

published on 22 July 2022

Het Nederlands Loodswezen BV is een organisatie die de aangesloten registerloodsen de middelen verschaft om hun werk uit te oefenen. Zo int het Loodswezen de loodsgelden en zorgt de organisatie voor het transport van en naar zeeschepen. We zien hier een prachtig staaltje inparkeren door de Pioneer in de speciaal daarvoor aangelegde loodsbotenhaven in Vlissingen; naast het Keizersbolwerk. Klaar om de Westerschelde weer op te varen.

0

Video Departure pier#44 June 2020 Constanta Port, Romania

published on 26 June 2020

Video by marine pilot ESIL ABIBULA.

1

Article Origins of the IMPA pilot mark

by Kevin Vallance deep sea pilot and author - published on 24 October 2019

There are many things in both our everyday and professional lives which we take for granted and never question the origins of, an example of this might be the IMPA recommended ‘pilot mark or pilot line’, which is sometimes seen on the side of vessels indicating where a vessels freeboard exceeds 9 metres.

4

Article UKMPA announced the launch of a major rebranding

published on 6 February 2021

The United Kingdom Maritime Pilots’ Association (UKMPA) today announced the launch of a major rebranding following the UK’s recent departure from the European Union. The timely changes from a heraldic collection of flags to a modern visual image that more properly reflects an association that is proactive, inclusive and dynamic whilst at the same time maintaining its historical context.

0