By AGGELIKI LYTINA

Don't let darkness or poor visibility drive you off the water! We can all easily have a thermal camera onboard for safe navigation. Besides, all captains using thermal night vision systems are all aware of their usefulness. The results of thermal imaging are truly spectacular! A thermal camera offers full visibility in total darkness, which translates into real safety. Even in the daytime, when we are under-way and blinded by the sun, the thermal camera can prove life-saving.
A floating wood/debris or a small craft undetected by radar can be seen by the thermal camera! FLIR Systems offers many different highly advanced models in the market covering all different needs. The new M300 Series, a new generation of maritime thermal cameras delivering advanced awareness-enhancing technologies, safer navigation, and seamless integration with on-board boat systems. All models are gyro-stabilized and using the patented MSX® Color and Thermal VisionTM (CTV) technologies. M300 can detect a target of size (2.3Χ2.3) meters up to 3.9 km. The most advanced cooled thermal system M500 enables the captain to see a target of the same size clearly over 15km.
FLIR Systems acquired Raymarine ten years ago in 2010 and is cooperating continuously with other companies like Furuno (MaxSea), Navico (Simrad) and other companies of the industry sector, to develop the thermal cameras potential uses through multi-function displays and connection to radar. The thermal image can be displayed in full-screen or in a separate window along with other applications, such as the navigation chart.
The thermal camera can be operated by remote control or through a multi-function display with the use of navigation software (i.e. MaxSea). Furthermore, some camera models feature video tracking and radar tracking, enabling users to lock on and automatically follow and recognize objects appearing on the radar. FLIR, also, offers systems with up to three different integrated lenses (thermal, color daylight/low-light, led light), with continuous 360 °rotation, zoom, gyro-stabilized, pan/ tilt and Picture–in-Picture function for displaying images from two sensors at once. Another major function is the Ethernet connection and remote control of the camera, as well as connection and control via iPhone and iPad using a FLIR Systems developed iTunes app.
Thermal camera perimeter surveillance, during voyage and docking, can be easily succeeded by using and integrating a DVR. In combination with the appropriate means of communication, you can also have control from anywhere in the world. The product range, also, includes handheld, rugged, compact, waterproof models which are very light and powerful. Ocean Scout and SCION are handheld monocular cameras small enough to keep on you or on the boat, in port or in the tender.

The state-of-the-art thermal night vision FLIR cameras feature:

• Integration with other electronic systems (i.e. radar) for maximum safety and full perimeter supervision of your boat. BMTECH is a certified integrator of FLIR SYSTEMS
• Detecting of floating objects (i.e. timber) undetected by radar; Clear sight of other boats route, land, buoys, rocks, people at sea, boats without navigation lights, small boats/ inflatable boats etc.
• Full visibility in total darkness; Contrary to other night vision systems that require low lighting in order to produce an image, the thermal camera needs no light
• Full visibility in all conditions, even through smoke, light fog, or rain
• Full visibility through the glare of the sun
• Safe navigation and protection, day and night
• Port safety
• Fish-farms surveillance & safety
• Risk detection and prevention
• Incidents recording
• Anti-piracy
• Ice detection
• Risk, accident and intruder avoidance;
• A useful tool for research purposes (finding missing persons or tracking fish flocks)
• Environmental protection such as oil spill detection combined with advanced software and radar.

For further information and LIVE DEMO please contact FLIR SYSTEMS official DISTRIBUTOR & SYSTEMS INTEGRATOR:
BMTECH, 67 Sofokli Venizelou St., 15232 Chalandri, Athens
Tel.:+30 2103805107, Fax: +30 2103819871
E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ,Website: www.bmtech.gr