4/07/2009

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.

3/31/2009

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

3/15/2009

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.

3/10/2009

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!

3/05/2009

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.

Paradox Marine Nav-Tracker

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

2/18/2009

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.

2/07/2009

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.

2/05/2009

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