Warning System Brings Peace of Mind

Forget perfect storms – if you’re a yacht and run down by a ship, you’re toast. That’s according to veteran cruiser Jeff Robbins, who, along with industrial designer Graham Brewster and mechanical design engineer David Howse from Procreate, designed a collision warning system that’s affordable, simple enough for everyone to use and, more importantly, can help save lives.

Robbins says both he and his partner Deirdre Schleigh felt vulnerable on plenty of occasions while cruising the world aboard their 40’ sloop. “We’re as vigilant as we can be, but there are times when you just can’t see a thing. The rain’s pouring down and you’re out there completely blind. All you can do is hope.

“As a cruiser, I really appreciate the value of something like this and want others to feel the same peace of mind we do.”

Robbins combined his hand-on knowledge with expertise gained from years in the software and hi-tech industries to develop the standalone collision warning system with Procreate. Robbins built the AIS WatchMate originally for himself; “But everyone I showed it to wanted one!”

Procreate provided essential design advice to AIS WatchMate who wanted an aesthetically pleasing design using quality components that were seaworthy. “We wanted to provide AIS WatchMate with a unique design that was modern but also could stand the test of time.”

The project required the design team to meet tight deadlines. Procreate was engaged to develop the mechanical housing and user interface late in November 2007 and sourced the mechanical components to be used by January 2008. The completion of that project phase allowed the product to be tested and sample products delivered to distributors prior to the unveiling of the AIS WatchMate at the Auckland Boat Show in March 2008. The AIS WatchMate uses the Universal Shipborne Automatic Identification System (AIS) to display data from all AIS equipped vessels in the vicinity. It is made effective by mandatory regulations requiring all international vessels over 300 tonnes and all domestic vessels over 500 tonnes to have AIS transponders installed. These AIS transponders transmit data on position and movement information such as course, speed, latitude, longitude and rate of turn every few seconds over two dedicated digital marine VHF channels.

As well as being mandatory on most commercial vessels. AIS is being adopted readily in the leisure market. Robbins says many oat-owners are voluntarily installing AIS transponders, particularly now that the more affordable ‘class b’ AIS transponders have come on the market.

The AIS WatchMate is “on watch 24/7” looking out for any potentially dangerous situation. “The alarms sounds whenever a shop is detected that will come dangerously close. Even though the ship may still be many mile away, you’re alerted immediately with the closest point of approach and the time remaining until CPA.”

He says it’s useful for all sizes of vessel, whether they’re crossing open seas or sticking close to the coast. “It’s really designed for anyone who’s concerned about their safety with regards to big ships.” One of the big advantages of AIS WatchMate is that it is “ultra energy efficient”. “A big problem with other warning systems is that they use so much power, they’re often switched off during passages. Obviously, if a system isn’t on, it’s not working.” In contrast the AIS WatchMate consumes just 65ma when idle, meaning it can be left on all the time.

Another advantage is its stand-alone system which runs independently of computers and chart plotters. “There’s no need to buy, install, or maintain any additional components or software. All you need is an AIS receiver and a GPS.”

Having sailed with AIS WatchMate for over a year now, Robbins says he wouldn’t be without one. “It’s a piece of mind thing,” he says. “A friend summed up its usefulness wonderfully when he said; ‘If you haven’t got one when you need one, you’ll never need one again.’”