Secure Your Boat With The Proper Alarm System

The boating season is in the height of activity. Now is the best time to look into how a boat alarm system can prevent theft and help supervise your vessel for loss of shore power, high bilge water, extreme temperatures, movement and unauthorized boarding.

The systems that are designed from the ground up just for the marine environment are the most dependable. Many companies offer modified home or business security systems as boat alarms. These systems are not able to stand the test of time in the harsh environments we use our boats in. They also utilize equipment that was never designed to detect violations in or on boats.

When you research the systems that are designed just for the marine environment, the difference becomes visibly and sensibly clear. Easy to install, works on 12/24V systems, very low power draw, simple to use and functional for all the things you want protected on your vessel, is what you get with a marine security system. They are extremely affordable also, as you are not paying for features you will not be using in the home security platforms.

These systems can be used as a stand alone attention getter, sounding siren and flashing vessel lights or they can easily be monitored by adding a cellular or satellite communicator that is also designed just for boat alarm systems.

We have developed a website where you can learn all about the finest boat and yacht security alarm systems available at MarineGuardSecurity.com If you have any additional questions when doing your boat alarm research, I will be available there to answer all of your questions.

An alarm system on your boat is so much more than just a security system!

Many don’t think about alarming their boat until there is some activity in the area where the boat is kept, provoking a concern. At that point they scramble to protect their vessel and its equipment, and end up paying way too much for a system that was designed for a residential application. These modified home alarms, will never stand up to the harsh marine environment they are expected to function in and have only basic features built into them.

A true marine alarm is built from the ground up with purposeful design. They are enclosed in NMEAIII enclosures, protecting them from the damp marine environment. The devices are encased in epoxies, have potted electronics, they operate on the 12/24 VDC systems that the boats supply. The marine systems draw minimal amperage so that they can be used when the vessel is traveling without shore power.

You can remotely control all the features of your system from PC or cell phone, such as arming/disarming, turning lights and appliances on/off etc…

There is an array of available alarm devices such as contacts for hatches and doors, canvas snap detectors, deck and ladder pressure sensors and motion sensors, to protect from unwanted visitors. All are offered in hardwired versions and licensed frequency wireless devices for the hard to wire vessel.

A marine security system also supervises your vessel.

When you purchase a marine alarm system, supervising your vessel is an added feature that residential alarm systems can’t provide.

Since your vessel has no telephone lines or cables ran to it, you will monitor your boat alarm through cellular SIM cards or satellite and IP (internet protocol).

Boat security systems are monitored directly by the boat master via text message, voice reporting, internet and two way voice and listen in capabilities.

Your boat security system will monitor and report loss of shore power, high and low temperatures in your engine room and cabin, high water in your bilge (if your bilge pump should fail), smoke and fire and unannounced guests boarding.

There is an available option to look inside and around your vessel from anywhere in the world via PC or Java enabled device (you can pan and tilt the cameras). During a system violation video is stored on an off vessel server for your retrieval and review.

You can also add vessel tracking to your system, which will report all vessel movement by course, speed and heading until you disarm it remotely.

Are these systems affordable?

You will be amazed at how affordable these systems are! They can be modulated, so you purchase just the level of features you are interested in, and can be added to easily at any time. Many are virtually plug and play as they come preprogrammed from the distributer. They can all be installed easily by the handy boat owner or his/her favorite mechanic. Join us at www.MarineGuardSecurity, to learn all about these marine grade security and supervisory systems. I make myself always available to answer all of your questions and support you, as your personal consultant. I look forward to helping you find the perfect system for you and your vessel.

WARNING Reminder of 100 Yard Approach Limit.

Do not approach within 100 yards of any U.S. naval vessel. If you need to pass within 100 yards of a U.S. naval vessel in order to ensure a safe passage in accordance with the Navigation Rules, you must contact the U.S. naval vessel or the Coast Guard escort vessel on VHF-FM channel 16.


You must operate at minimum speed within 500 yards of any U.S. naval vessel and proceed as directed by the Commanding Officer or the official patrol.

Violations of the Naval Vessel Protection Zone are a felony offense, punishable by up to 6 years in prison and/or up to $250,000 in fines.

Visit Our Comprehensive Boat Security Site

Yacht owners are always insistent on these two things.

• Only the best of your friends and business associates are permitted to enjoy the pleasures of visiting your vessel.

• You are diligent about bringing only the finest products on board for safety and lifestyle.

As vessel owners ourselves we at “Marine Guard Yacht Security” share your passion. It is with a deep understanding of marine security needs and our desire to bypass inferior substitutes, that we developed the security and supervisory solutions for your prized possession.

With 25 years of hands on experience in all aspects of the electronic security industry, we have both the ability and the desire to weed through the vast multitudes of available components to select only the very best. It is with personal knowledge of the demands of our vessels and how they operate, that qualifies us to integrate security into the marine environment. Products that were manufactured for residential and commercial applications are often used but rarely stand up to the conditions our vessels operate and reside in.

As a branch of an industry specific consumer protection company, “The Experts Know!” we are mandated to a level of consumer concern that is above and beyond. If we wouldn’t use it ourselves, we will never suggest it to you!

The Marine Guard Yacht Security Systems:

* Are designed specifically for the marine environment
* Are user friendly and operate without complication
* Report directly to you on your cell phone and computer
* Protect your vessel from intruders boarding with state of the art detection devices
* Guard against undesired hatch / door openings
* Announce welcome guests while you're aboard
* Identify, report and log authorized real time boarding’s and departures
* Monitor your bilge high water levels
* Monitor your 12VDC and shore power supply
* Monitor your vessels high and low temperatures
* Detect and report smoke and rapid temperature change
* Set a Geo Fence around your boat preventing unauthorized movement
* Give you web site access for your vessels GPS location, heading and speed
* Allow you to remotely control lighting and on board systems
* Give you remote 2 way voice communications
* Provide remote video of your vessel's interior, bridge and engine room
* Store video of interior violations on an off vessel server w/ internet access
* Are available in hardwired and licensed frequency wireless platforms
* Can be used as a stand alone local system without reporting.

Reporting is done by your choice of cellular communicators for local protection or satellite communicators for global vessel protection.

We look forward to designing a custom system for you.

Requesting Permission to come aboard! www.MarineGuardSecurity.com

What You Can’t See Can Hurt You!

As my wife and I returned home to our marina from a day at the office yesterday, we saw the upset on the face of a fellow live aboard. She stated that a diver was called to check the zincs on the bottom of the boat that shares the slip with hers. The boat owner lives in a different state and hadn’t been up to visit his vessel for over two years.

When the diver took a look below, he was in shock not only by the amount of growth on the bottom but at the total loss of all of the boats zincs. The twin props became the new sacrificial lambs and were in the advanced stages of disintegrating as well.

The reason my neighbor was so upset, is that she and her husband were only back in the water 10 days from a new bottom paint job, new zincs, and serviced props. The diver told her that he noticed her new paint was bleeding copper and her new zincs were already corroding. It was obvious from her neighbor’s boat condition that he was sitting hot.

The dock master was called and contacted the boat owner to notify him of the condition, that was causing a problem for him and his neighbors. The out of town owner asked the dock master to board and check things out for him. When the dock master and president of our docks condo association boarded the vessel, they noticed a water leak from one of the through hulls. When they touched it, the through hull popped off and the vessel began to take on water. An emergency tow and haul out saved a boat that was doomed for a trip to the bottom, if it wasn’t discovered by this chain of events.

Upon returning home today we saw the boat in the slings and a crowd of people stood around in awe at the horrific conditions that were now visible on this beautiful boat. In just two years the bottom was becoming it’s own reef and the running gear was all pitted and now useless.

My wife and I no longer feel bad about spending money to have our boat dove on every three to four months for cleaning, inspection and zinc replacement as needed. As with everything else in our beloved boating world it’s “Pay Me Now” or “Pay Me Much More Later”

Let’s take notice of the parts of our boats that we can’t see and remember that our neglect can also cause hardship for our neighbors.

Stop Shouting At Me! Does This Sound Familiar?

It should, because every boat that is crewed by 2 or more people has heard it.

Its not that the skippers are wanting to shout, it’s because concise and well understood communications are pertinent to the safety of the crew and vessel itself. Timing and execution of necessary maneuvers are always important to their success. Every skipper knows that job #1 is to take responsibility for these.

Due to winds and currents causing ever changing docking, anchoring and mooring buoy situations, the shouting of an unrehearsed crew becomes entertainment for onlookers and all others within earshot. Some attempt to overcome this well known problem with the use of hand held radios or cell phones. This just adds to the list of things to coordinate as crew with lines or bow hooks in hand, fumble for the talk button on the radio or wait their turn to answer the skipper when he/she is orchestrating the crew.

This problem is easily solved by what I consider a “must have piece of boating equipment.” The Eartec TD 900 wireless communications system is the finest captain to crew radio set I have ever had the pleasure of using. It is crystal clear without any static from anywhere on board. This system is not push to talk and not voice activated, instead both captain and crew can talk simultaneously (because of its full duplex technology) as if they were in the same room having a conversation.

This system has relieved much anxiety for my wife and I as we are in constant communications and always aware of what the other is thinking and doing, without any shouting. This allows us both to concentrate on our responsibilities and task at hand. It also allows me to talk her through her plan of action which creates training through repetition.

The radio itself is a lightweight unit with a belt clip. Since my wife works the decks and lines, we found that putting hers in a small cloth bag with an over shoulder strap keeps her unit secure while moving about. The lightweight headset is plugged into the radio and keeps one ear free for other sounds. A quick radio check has us both off to work with the task at hand, looking like we actually know what we are doing.

The unit costs under $300.00 and comes with a molded storage case; two radios (master and remote), two headsets and two recharging plug in transformers. More can be learned about these units from Eartec at: www.eartec.com

It is worth every penny and will add to your boating safety and pleasure. If you are into other two person activities such as rock climbing, bicycling, horseback riding etc… Bonus!

Launch of Third Generation Nav-Tracker Web Site

Paradox Marine And EMS Satamatics
Launch Third Generation Nav-Tracker Web Site
www.Nav-Tracker.com allows users to manage boat tracking system online

Fort Lauderdale, Florida (USA) – Wireless boat security system supplier Paradox Marine has collaborated with EMS Satamatics, a leading provider of telematics, asset tracking and monitoring services, to launch their new web site Nav-Tracker.com (www.Nav-Tracker.com). The web site, hosted by EMS Satamatics, allows users of Paradox Marine Nav-Tracker GPS Tracking, Security & Monitoring Systems to manage their onboard systems remotely via the World Wide Web and track their vessel over an advanced Google Earth interface.

EMS Satamatics - a leading IsatM2M provider and a division of EMS Technologies inc. - an innovator in the design and manufacture of wireless, satellite and defense solutions - provide Nav-Tracker systems with the core modem technology and the required ground earth stations. These in conjunction with Inmarsat’s Satellite Network, provide asset tracking and monitoring capability globally. The system monitors a boat’s location and notifies up to ten people by email and/or text message every 15 minutes with the latitude/longitude, speed and heading if it is moved outside of its predefined “geo-fence”. Nav-tracker system options include 3 daily status reports and alarm notification reports if security sensors or bilge pump sensors on the vessel are tripped.

Nav-Tracker.com is a third generation tracking website which incorporates an advanced Google Earth interface allowing users to overlay a trace (breadcrumb trail) of their vessel, or fleet of vessels, with their exact current location and precisely where they have been. On the new site, users can track the movement, adjust the geo-fence radius and reporting intervals for a boat - or a fleet of boats - located anywhere in the world.

Other unique features of the new site include the ability to arm/disarm the geo-fence & sensors from the website, ping/poll the vessel at any time for the vessel’s exact position, have up to 10 text or email recipients for alerts with the ability to select which alerts go to which users. The website’s advanced technology even allows multiple users to hold different levels of access to the site, from view only options to complete control of entire fleets.

Some insurance companies now require GPS tracking devices, like the Nav-Tracker, to be installed on certain types of boats, including high performance boats and boats with high-horsepower outboards. Paradox Marine recently received a medal from the US Coast Guard in recognition of the role a Nav-Tracker system played in the quick recovery of a stolen boat in the Bahamas last September.

About EMS Satamatics

EMS Satamatics, a division of EMS Technologies (NASDAQ: ELMG) is a leader in global telematics, providing global, end-to-end tracking and monitoring solutions for transportation, security, maritime and oil and gas industries. EMS Satamatics helps companies and governments locate, track and communicate with mobile assets, safeguard their fleets, cargo and personnel, and monitor their fixed and mobile assets in the most hostile or remote terrains in the world. Visit www.satamatics.com or www.ems-t.com for more information.

About Paradox Marine

Paradox Marine manufactures wireless security, monitoring, GPS tracking & surveillance systems for boats of all sizes. Together with Paradox Security Systems, our products are distributed in over 100 countries worldwide and remain one of the top ten security companies in the world. Our personalized service and innovative technology has allowed us to provide complete peace of mind for the boat owner while onboard and afar. For more information on Nav-Tracker and the complete Paradox Marine product line, visit www.MarineGuardSecurity.com

Another Stolen Boat Recovered With Aid of Nav-Tracker 2.0

According to the International Association of Marine Investigators, as many as 27,000 boats are stolen annually. “Alarms and other deterrents are not enough. However, with Nav-Tracker on board, if your boat is stolen, there's a very good chance you'll get it back,” said Jay Keenan, Paradox Marine Vice President of Marketing.

Which was the case on January 3, 2009 when the Nav-Tracker 2.0 wireless boat location and GPS tracking system from Paradox Marine helped the Broward County, Florida Sheriff's Department recover a stolen, 35' Fountain worth $200,000 within 60 minutes.

According to Paradox Marine, when a Nav-Tracker 2.0 transmitter is mounted discreetly on a boat, a wireless ‘fence’ with a 500-foot range is created. If a boat is moved outside of this fence, Nav-Tracker 2.0 uses Inmarsat based GPS satellite technology to monitor a boat’s location and notify up to four people by email and/or text message every 15 minutes with the latitude/longitude, speed and heading.

The NAV-TRACKER is a completely self contained send and receive satellite terminal

This extremely reliable service, formerly used exclusively by commercial vessels, is now available to the private boat owner. When armed, the system passively sets a 500 meter geo-fence (radius) around the vessel. In the event the geo-fence is breached, as many as 4 recipients you designate will receive an email and/or text message displaying the vessel name, its location in latitude and longitude, the closest city, its speed and heading. The unit will also send you a daily status report with the same information. Finally boat owners can have peace of mind knowing where their boat is at all times.

• Daily transmissions of location and status
• Passive Geo-Fence Arm and Disarm
• Real time GPS tracking through INMARSAT D+ Satellite Service
• When in Geo-Fence Alarm, unit transmits location, speed and heading every 15 minutes
• Stand alone system or Wirelessly Integrate with Paradox Marine Magellan systems
  
• Runs on 12 VDC Power with optional Battery Back up Available

Actual Message from NAV-TRACKER 2.0:

User: Paradox Marine
Asset: M/Y Island Time
Fleet: ETI
DateTime: 2006-07-25 15:06:28 (EDT)
Event: Geo-fence breached;
Location: 26.05767,-80.13033 (0.75 mi NE of Hollywood,FL(33019)
Speed/heading: 9.2 Knots, 144 Deg
Google Earth Map: [KML]
This email is for notification only. Please DO NOT reply to this email.

What Can A Marine Security System Do For You?

When we looked for a hardwired system to serve in the marine environment, we were shocked at how many modified home security systems were being marketed as marine systems. The Marine Guard system and equipment was developed ground up specifically for and with a deep understanding of what the marine environment is. From its NMEA III enclosure to its potted and epoxy coated components, it is precisely what is needed to protect and watch over your vessel in your absence.

The manufacturer of the system Sure Action Inc. is the inventor of the deck sensor, a small pressure sensor that is hidden under decks and ladders. The deck sensor is immune to birds, sun, rain, the rocking of the boat and the boat banging against the dock. They are the only motion detection device of its kind in the industry. The deck sensors are used in pairs to balance the system. Three different pulsars are manufactured specifically for fiberglass decks, wood decks and all gunwales and steel/aluminum decks. The control has a 24 hr bilge zone, (2 or 4) dedicated deck sensor zones and (3) additional hardwired zones for any other normally open security and supervisory equipment you would like to add to your system.

The MG58 can handle up to (8) eight deck sensors and the MG54 handles up to (4) four deck sensors. I recommend the 58 for vessels larger than 60 ft. and the 54 for those less than 60 ft. Each control comes with (1) Outdoor Siren, a (4) channel wireless receiver, (2) keychain remotes for arming and disarming, (1) chime-plate with on / off switch to announce visitors and (2) LED’s for alarm status. Most of the Marine Guard Yacht Security packages include (2) to (4) deck sensors and (2) contacts as well.

Add a contact to doors and hatches to the interior for additional perimeter protection. The contacts come in four different styles. (Large) for wide gap hatches, (Small) for tight door protection, (Recessed) for hidden contacts and (wireless) for areas that you can’t get a wire to.

Add an optional Bilge Sensor & Sounder for high water detection.

Add an optional Pet Immune Dual Technology Passive Infrared Motion Detector for interior applications.

You can use your system as a stand alone local system to sound a siren and flash lighting or you can add a Marine Guard Monitoring device to give you 24/7 contact with your boats security and supervisory devices.

For boats that are restricted to inland waters or will always be in a cell coverage area, the Marine Guard Cellular Communicator works with a prepaid SIM card. It will send a report to your e-mail and text your cell phone on any violation. The cellular communicator is available both with and without GPS tracking capability. For everywhere in the world coverage, you would add the Marine Guard Satellite Transponder. This device will bounce any violation signal off of a satellite to your e-mail and cell phone.

You will be able to set a Geo-Fence (Virtual Fence) around your boat with either of these reporting systems from your computer. If the boat moves out of your Geo-Fence you will be alerted immediately. You will than have the ability to track your vessels location, speed and heading from any computer.

There is a monthly fee to monitor these devices based on what frequencies of reports you want. The basic package is (1) one report every five days and always during every violation. You can choose to receive a report up to hourly for high security applications. One example of how a reporting package might be utilized is boat owners could be notified every time their vessel is boarded and know the course, speed and location at all times when the boat is moved from its assigned slip. Charter boat owners love this feature.

There is also a monitoring central station option for the owner that needs a professional operator to receive and dispatch assigned responders to alarms and supervisory conditions.

There is nothing more dependable than a hardwired system that is designed just for the marine environment. Many boat owners are capable of doing installations themselves and they will find the Marine Guard System to be straight forward and easy to install. For those that prefer professional installation, you will find that any marine electronics installer has the skills to install your system.

If you would like to know more about this system, how extremely affordable it is or how to purchase one, visit the informative website built by Marine Guard Yacht Security at www.MarineGuardSecurity.com

How Does a Marine Magellan System Work?

Install This System in your Boat - Home - Business With Ease

Your Cell Phone & Computer is a Window into your Boat from Anywhere!

Until now if you wanted to protect and supervise your property you would turn to traditional security systems and alarm installation companies to find some peace of mind. You no longer have to buy both a security system and a CCTV system separately and you don't need a professional to install them for you.

The GOST Watch System enables boat and RV owners to monitor security and supervisory conditions on board their vessels from anywhere they have access to a PC or cell phone. This amazing system is easy to set up as it is virtually plug and play.

The GOST Watch internet gateway plugs into any free port on your computer network gateway. If your vessel doesn’t have internet, you can add it simply by installing a readily available EVDO cell card enabled wireless router. You run your cameras with Cat. 5 cable, to their desired mounting positions. The color pan and tilt cameras have passive infrared motion detectors built into them.

The bilge high water sensors, door / hatch contacts, temperature hi/lo sensors, siren and arm/disarm key-switch are all wireless units that can be mounted anywhere you would like them. Press the discovery button on each and your GOST Watch internet gateway finds them and registers each on your gateways control menu.

You can logon anytime from anywhere in the world to check the status of your vessel, look inside and control the pan/tilt cameras, record video or take a snapshot and arm or disarm all or individual devices.

Once armed your GOST Watch system looks for violations such as doors opening, motion in a camera protected area, temperatures higher or lower than you set on the temperature sensor, high water or loss of shore power. On violation your system begins archiving live video through its gateway and an off vessel server. You receive notification by cell text message and e-mail of the violation.

You can go to any PC or Java enabled cell phone and see live streaming video and control status of each of your GOST Watch devices from anywhere in the world.

When you are aboard your boat, you can use your internet connection and PC or laptop to view up to four cameras simultaneously. This is handy for monitoring various areas from the bridge.

You will have full control of your device settings, arming, disarming, violation contact information, and camera control anytime you login. You also determine who is to be contacted on various type violations. This might be handy to call a dock master and/or your mechanic at the same time you are notified.

There is an available GOST Watch DVR you can add to your system. Your DVR will record 24/7/30 even without violations and store accessible video on the off vessel server. You can access your DVR online anytime and view onboard activity

Learn more about this exciting breakthrough in state of the art boat security and surveillance through our Marine Guard Yacht Security website at: MarineGuardSecurity.Com

Paradox Marine Receives US Coast Guard Medal

Paradox Marine Receives US Coast Guard Medal
For Help With Stolen Boat Recovery
Nav-Tracker 2.0 Located Stolen Boat In The Bahamas,
Recovered By Coast Guard 12 Hours Later

Fort Lauderdale, Florida (USA) – Wireless boat security systems supplier Paradox Marine has received a medal from the US Coast Guard in recognition of its innovative product, the NAV-TRACKER 2.0 GPS Tracking System. The system helped the Coast Guard recover a stolen boat in the Bahamas last September 17.

A 34-foot Contender equipped with the Paradox Marine Nav-Tracker 2.0 GPS tracking system, stolen from Marsh Harbor in the Bahamas, was located by the system and recovered in the vicinity by the US Coast Guard about 12 hours later.

Paradox Marine Nav-Tracker

When a Nav-Tracker 2.0 transmitter is mounted discreetly on a boat, a wireless ‘geo-fence’ with a 500-meter radius is created. If a boat is moved outside of this geo-fence, the Nav-Tracker 2.0 uses Inmarsat based GPS satellite technology to monitor a boat’s location and notify up to ten people by email and/or text message every 15 minutes with the latitude/longitude, speed, heading and distance to closest city.

As many as 27,000 boats are stolen annually and the odds of recovery are only about 1 in 10, according to the International Association of Marine Investigators. “With a NAV-TRACKER 2.0 onboard, we have experienced the successful recovery of vessels unharmed, sometimes in less than one hour,” said Jay Keenan, Paradox Marine Vice President.

The message transmitted from Nav-Tracker 2.0 on board the Contender when it was stolen would have been similar to this:

Message From Nav-Tracker 2.0
User: Paradox Marine
Asset: M/Y Island Time
Fleet: ETI
Date/Time: 2006-07-25 15:06:28 (EDT)
Event: Geo-fence breached;
Location: 26.05767,-80.1303.3 (0.75 mi NE of Hollywood, FL 33019)
Speed/heading: 9.2 Knots, 144 deg
Google Earth Map: [KML]

On January 3rd of this year, a 35’ Fountain Executioner was also recovered with the help of a NAV-TRACKER 2.0 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, just 54 minutes after being stolen.

Some insurance companies now require GPS tracking devices, like the NAV-TRACKER 2.0, to be installed on certain types of boats, including high performance boats and boats with triple high-horsepower outboards.

The NAV-TRACKER 2.0 is powered by Satamatics, a global telematics company, which provides customized, end-to-end tracking and monitoring solutions that will work anywhere in the world.

For more information about Nav-Tracker 2.0 and other Paradox Marine boat security, monitoring and tracking products, visit www.MarineGuardSecurity.com or call 360.588.2120

121 MHz EPIRB Coverage Ends February 1st

It's time to make the switch to 406 MHz EPIRBs (Emergency Positioning Indicating Radio Beacon)! Satellite processing of distress signals by the U.S. Coast Guard on the 121 and 243 MHz bands will cease on February 1. Due to numerous false alerts and poor accuracy which degraded the reliability of lifesaving services, the decision was made by the international satellite-based search and rescue organization, COSPAS/SARSAT, nearly nine years ago to discontinue satellite coverage on these bands. With 406 MHz EPIRBs operating on a more reliable frequency, along with the required registration process, search and rescue agencies are able to respond quicker using the proper equipment, and pinpoint offshore boaters in distress. You can purchase a 406 MHz EPIRB for $700 retail or for short offshore trips, rent from the BoatUS Foundation for only $40 a week.

MarineGuard Boat Security Alarm Systems Are Built Just For The Marine Environment

The MarineGuard 58 Security System (MG58) is designed for boats over 40 feet with access under the decking. The MG58C MarineGuard System includes the security control panel which is encased in epoxy to protect it from the harsh marine environment, a white siren to provide an audible alarm, two key-chain transmitters to arm and disarm the system and a chime mounted on a white switch plate, four Deck sensors, one large contact and one small contact.

The MarineGuard security systems are unique because they use Pulsor Deck Sensors. Mounted under a boat's decking, MarineGuard Deck Pulsor Sensors are invisible. Not only does this take an intruder by surprise, but it also does not take away from the boat's decor. Better yet the MarineGuard Pulsor Deck Sensors, when installed according to our direction, are virtually false-alarm free. Deck sensors detect the weight of a person walking on the deck, and will never false alarm from birds, boat movement or any environmental factors that trigger other types of security sensors.

The Deck Sensor is the most stable and versatile motion detector available anywhere!

• The Sensor is completely invisible. It is mounted with epoxy to the underside of a boat's decking where it cannot be seen.
• It is effective on almost any boat structure including wood, fiberglass, aluminum and steel.
• The Deck Sensor is environmentally sealed.
• It utilizes 22-gauge, marine-grade wire leads.
• Deck Sensors sense only the unique flexing of the decking caused by a person's movement.
• The Sensor will not false due to wind, the rocking of the boat or normal boat vibration.
• They will not detect or respond to birds and are unaffected by sunlight.

You can use the MarineGuard systems as stand alone local alarms for audible and visual detection, or add GPS tracking and monitoring with MarineGuard cellular or satellite communicators.

Learn all about these incredible boat alarm systems that were built specifically for the marine environment at: www.MarineGuardSecurity.com

The Silent Killer Wants You!

As a liveaboard I'm blessed with the opportunity to stay on top of vessel maintenance on a daily basis (it's never a problem finding something that needs to be done). I make sure to include vessel safety concepts and accident prevention into the daily rotation, and consider them as equally important. This can be as simple as putting fresh batteries in all detectors or as complex as designing a safety drill and rehearsing an emergency situation with my first mate until we feel comfortable with our response.

If you are a boat owner that uses your vessel only occasionally for recreation, I can only imagine that the little precious time you have onboard is consumed most often by the obvious needs and less by the invisible concerns.

Although carbon monoxide poisoning is a year round problem, this time of year needs to be considered high risk. With our vessels sealed tight to keep out the cold, the chance of CO building in cabins and on enclosed bridges increases drammaticly. Please take a moment to consider your CO detectors on your very next visit. This silent killer is so prevalent in our environment, that it deserves your prioritized consideration. Although any detector is better than none (It's the law on boats), be advised that devices that are designed for marine use are calibrated at a different standard than those designed for household use. Also many boat occupants mistake the early symptoms of CO poisoning, for sea sickness.

Here is an excellent example and some information you need as presented by: BoatUS

Source:BoatUS.org

A couple in Michigan arrived at their boat, started the gas generator, turned on the boat's electric heater, and set to work on a few end of the season projects. While they were working, carbon monoxide (CO) from the gas generator began creeping quietly into the main saloon somewhere down in the bilge.

Without a CO alarm, there was no way that the couple could have been aware-or even had the tiniest hint--that the deadly gas was mixing with the oxygen in the boat's cabin. CO is colorless, odorless, and it produces initial symptoms-drowsiness, headaches, nausea, or dizziness--that aren't especially alarming.

The unsuspecting couple soon "fell asleep," and would have died had it not been for the early arrival-almost two hours early-of their son. He quickly shut off the generator, opened ports, and phoned the rescue squad. They were extremely lucky; most CO claims have a much sadder outcome.

An investigation afterward concluded that the CO had come from a drain plug in the generator's muffler that had worked loose and lay in the bilge. The report also noted the lack of a CO detector aboard, which wasn't a surprise.

Of a dozen or so recent claims for CO fatalities or near fatalities in a boat's cabin, the lack of a CO detector is the only thing that all of them had in common.

CO can enter a cabin from many different sources, according to the claim files: from a hot water heater; from a galley stove; from the "station wagon effect"-exhaust from the boat's exhaust; from a generator; and even from other nearby boats. There have also been several injuries from people swimming under swim platforms when an engine or generator was being operated.

Certainly it is important to recognize the symptoms of CO poisoning: headaches, drowsiness, and nausea. With most of the BoatU.S. claims, one or more of these symptoms were present, but victims did not recognize the danger they were in.

It is also advisable to inspect the engine and generator for leaks in the exhaust system and to avoid, or try to avoid, the many different situations that could bring CO into a boat's cabin, that isn't easy. Besides the station wagon effect, accidents have been traced to wind direction, proximity to a dock or seawall, boats rafted together, an open hatch or port, a canvas cover, or combination of several causes.

It isn't unusual after an accident, for an inspection to spend many hours, or even days, trying to ascertain how CO got into a boat's cabin.

While guarding against the many possible sources of CO is certainly advisable, the most reliable safeguard is a CO detector. As of August 1, 1998 the American Boat and Yacht Council (ABYC), the organization that writes the voluntary standards for recreational boats, began recommending that all boats with enclosed accommodation areas and a gasoline generator or a gasoline inboard propulsion engine have a CO detector installed.

(Diesel engines are not included because they are much less likely to produce deadly levels of CO.) The recommendation that CO detectors be installed on new boats is great news for anyone who will be buying a new boat, but what about boats built before August 1998?

INSTALLING A CO DETECTOR: A FEW CONSIDERATIONS

One reason that ABYC may have been slow to recommend the use of CO detectors may be their reputation in the past for emitting unnerving false alarms periodically. You could almost count on a CO detector made prior to 1992, the older "single point" alarms, to sound whenever they detected even the slightest trace of CO.

Since a whiff or two of CO is likely to drift into a cabin several times a day, the frequent alarms were an ongoing nuisance. After 1992, however, manufacturers began making more technically advanced units that use "time-weighted averaging" to greatly reduce the number of alarms.

By averaging the CO over a period of a few minutes, these newer alarms will not sound unless they repeatedly detect CO.

Some of the newer units can even do things like disengage the generator if CO is detected. A proper marine CO detector, incidentally, will have the UL 1524 marine mark, which means it was tested by Underwriters Laboratories standard 1524.

ABYC does not say where on the boat a CO detector should be located. The gas, which is about the same weight as oxygen, tends to dissipate evenly in an area and isn't any more likely to be found up near the ceiling or down by the cabin sole.

As a practical matter, placing an alarm at eye level allows you to easily monitor any meters or warning lights on a unit.

Sleeping areas, main saloons, an enclosed fly-bridge, and anywhere else people spend time are candidates for a CO detector. Areas that should be avoided include near hatches or doors where fresh air might distort readings. Dead air spaces-corners-should also be avoided.

TAKING CO DETECTORS SERIOUSLY

While the older alarms were often a nuisance, the improved technology means that when a newer alarm sounds it should be investigated.

CO that drifts in and out of a cabin can be dangerous, since the effects of CO are cumulative and can build up gradually in a person's bloodstream over hours or even days before it reaches critical levels.

This is true even if when the person breathes fresh air periodically; the CO remains in the bloodstream. How quickly the CO builds up is a factor of the concentration of the gas being inhaled (measured in parts per million [PPM]) and the duration of the exposure.

The half-life of CO is approximately five hours, which means that it takes five hours for the level of CO in the blood to drop to half its level when exposure was terminated.

There is also some recent research challenges traditional thinking that the effects of CO poisoning are transitory. Studying 96 victims for one year beyond their exposure, researchers found over 25% showed evidence of brain damage 12 months after exposure. These long-term CO injuries can include apathy, memory loss, inattention, and depression.

How Much CO is Too Much? (In Parts Per Million (PPM)

• 200 PPM Slight headaches within two to three hours.

• 400 PPM Frontal headaches within one to two hours.

• 800 PPM Dizziness, nausea, and convulsions within 45 minutes. Insensible within two hours.

• 1,600 PPM Headache. Dizziness and nausea within 20 minutes. Death within 30 minutes.

• 3,200 PPM Headache and dizziness within five minutes. Death within 30 minutes.

• 6,400 PPM Headache and dizziness within one to two minutes. Death in less than 15 minutes.

• 12,800 PPM Death in less than three minutes.

CO Concentration at the Source

• Gasoline Engine 10,000 - 100,000 PPM

• Diesel Engine 1,000 PPM

WHAT'S WRONG WITH THIS PICTURE?

Shortly after she bought her 33' Egg Harbor, Terri Parrow, Vice President of Internet Operations at BoatU.S., took an action photograph of the boat as it went zooming by near Solomon's Island, Maryland.

The photo (above) turned out well, with a blue sky, puffy clouds, and lots of exciting spray.

The more she studied the photograph, though, the more it seemed that something was wrong. Then it dawned on her that the ship's ensign--the flag on the stern--is flapping forward, toward the two people on the flying bridge, Aren't flags supposed to point aft?

The canvas on the fly-bridge had just been added and when the flaps were closed exhaust from the boat's twin 340 hp gasoline engines was being sucked back into the cabin and onto the fly-bridge (the "station wagon effect). After seeing the photo, Terri made some changes.

First, she cruises with the forward canvas flaps and hatch on the foredeck opened slightly to keep fresh air flowing throughout the fly-bridge and cabin. And she also replaced one the boat's two CO detectors, which had been inoperable.

These two simple changes have saved her a lot of potential headaches, or worse, whenever the boat is underway.