There was a packed auditorium for the Superyacht Tech Talk at Seawork, reflecting the comments from chair Jo Assael, British Superyacht Ambassador for Technical & Regulatory Affairs, about the increasing cross over between the superyacht world and the commercial maritime sector.
At the presentation, delegates heard from three companies – FarSounder, Technical Marine Supplies and MIMO Connect. The speakers highlighted aspects of new technology ranging from forward looking sonar helping map the ocean beds and preserving sea life by protecting whales from ship strikes, why yachts and ships are struck by lightning and how to avoid it, and the number and variety of Low Earth Orbit satellite systems now available, providing fast and low cost communication and internet access worldwide.
Alexia Fountain from FarSounder demonstrated how forward-looking technology systems can now be integrated into data from multiple sources such as sonar, cameras and radar resulting in a single screen showing fully comprehensive data. As well as improving vessel safety, reducing human error and minimising crew fatigue, the combination of this intelligence was also proving valuable by helping map the world’s seabeds. She revealed that in 2017, when the Seabed 2030 initiative was started, only 6% of the world’s oceans had been mapped. Now, with forward looking sonar enabling real-time situational awareness, these systems are continuously building a map of the seafloor. Aided by citizen science schemes run by International Seakeepers and Yachts for Science now over 28% has been mapped and this figure is increasing daily.
Fountain ended her presentation with a warning about marine stewardship, and in particular, the large number of whale strikes by ships. Research has proved that whales play a critical role in producing the air that we breathe as their waste fertilizes phytoplankton, the microscopic plants that consume C02 and create oxygen. With ships responsible for killing over 10,000 baleen whales annually, FarSounder has launched a Whale Spotting and Safe Vessel operations course that equips crew with the valuable skills and understanding required to navigate whale-populated oceans. Drawing on decades of collective observation and data, this initiative will transform navigational sensor insights into a powerful tool for marine stewardship with all proceeds from this educational programme dedicated to supporting a range of environmental organisations.
From whale strikes to lightning strikes, the second speaker David Mossman from Technical Marine Supplies (TMS) tested the audience’s understanding of why ships are hit by lightning. Dispelling the popular conception that it was due to the tall height of a mast, Mossman explained that vessels are struck by lightning because of the static charge they build up, which is created as wind blows through the rig or the superstructure. According to Mossman, lightning doesn’t hit anything unless something reaches up to grab it, usually the static build-up from a vessel, which can reach up to 100 foot above the top of the mast.
Further enlightenment came from a detailed NASA research project which showed a propensity of lightning highways through the oceans. Puzzled as to why this should be, it was only when somebody slid a picture of the world’s busiest shipping lanes under the areas of lightning strikes that it became clear – the static charges created by the ships were causing the lightning strikes.
With strikes emitting anything from 100 million to 1 billion volts, 30,000 amps and heat five times hotter than the sun, preventing lightning strikes that can create catastrophic complete systems failure is critical. Mossman outlined how CMCE devices create a passive system around a vessel and its environment by draining the area of static, eliminating the chances of a lightning strike. CMCEs were initially developed for use on buildings, control rooms, data centres, oil installations and other ATEX environments, but are now fitted onto vessels, wind turbines, and all forms of marine assets, and can even be fitted onto vessels in dry dock. CMCEs create a protective umbrella around an asset, enabling crew to safely bring in tenders and other toys, even during an extreme storm. The session ended with a detailed question and answer session about how these entirely passive CMCE’s operate with a 5-year battery, serviced by the manufacturer to align with a vessel’s refit period.
The final presentation from Jason Robertson, co-founder and CTO of global connectivity company MIMO Connect, highlighted the variety and range of Low Earth Orbit (LEO) Satellite connectivity now available. Robertson stated how lack of connectivity negatively impacted the morale of crew on board superyachts, where the lack of ability to download large amounts of data, stay in touch with family and friends and access social media and the internet often caused staff to quit their jobs.
Outlining the range of services now available from Starlink, OneWeb, Amazon LEO and other providers Robertson demonstrated how there are now thousands of satellites being launched on a regular basis, enabling users to pick from a variety of lower cost options, with a variety of antennae suitable for all types of users from superyachts to tenders, with worldwide polar to polar coverage. Explaining how by the end of 2026 Starlink Maritime will be cheaper and faster than 90% of current VSAT contracts, Robertson showed the audience the latest innovation from MIMO, a portable modular LEO satellite case which can provide over 22 hours of Starlink usage and can even be carried on planes as hand luggage. The session ended with an insight into how LEO satellite companies will be looking to providing direct to cell services, offering mobile network operation through space in the near future – a long way from the traditional method of laying sea cables across the ocean for intercontinental connectivity.
