ScanReach’s wireless maritime IoT platform saves lives on board

Many jobs in the maritime industry have a high danger factor. Workers at sea must contend with extreme wind, waves and noise. They often perform their tasks alone, on a ship the size of football fields, out of sight or earshot of others. If injured, they cannot easily call for help and their situation may go unnoticed.

“The maritime industry is struggling with safety and vessel performance. If you work on a vessel, you can’t be safe if you can’t be quickly located on board. If you have a heart attack or fall down a ladder, you’ve got a problem,” says Eide, Chief Business Development Officer at ScanReach.

The lack of onboard wireless connectivity at sea contributes to this problem.

“This is the most important technology to be deployed in the maritime industry in a decade. It’s important to get this technology out there to save lives,” says Eide.

Wireless IoT platform for the maritime industry penetrates steel

ScanReach has launched the world’s first complete wireless Internet of Things (IoT) platform for the maritime industry. Able to penetrate steel, the wireless solution connects people, the environment and assets inside vessels and installations. The result is highly effective Personnel On-Board (POB) control and asset control without the need for cables.

The solution removes a major barrier to innovation in the maritime industry, which lags behind other sectors in terms of digitalisation due to the lack of onboard wireless connectivity.

“This is a new category of technology with transformational power. Eventually every ship will have it. Those who jump in first will create competitive power, win more contracts and more easily recruit high-quality workers,” says Eide.

Optimises worker safety and vessel performance

ScanReach is the “seatbelt” of the maritime industry, according to Eide. The crew’s location is known at all times during safety training and emergencies, ensuring better emergency response and reducing search and rescue time from hours to minutes. Worker wearables allow one-to-one communication as well.

ScanReach can also be used to optimise operations and improve performance. Real-time data provides crucial metrics on fuel use, engine and compressor status and gas leaks, among others. Based on this data, operators can take action to save resources and reduce expenditures.

A low-cost, plug-and-play system, the solution can be installed by crew members in just a few hours.

Growing interest in maritime IoT

A growing number of maritime actors are seeking onboard wireless connectivity to reduce accidents and deaths. It is estimated that in five years, 50 per cent of all maritime actors will have installed an IoT solution to improve worker safety.

After years of development, the ConnectPOB solution is already in use on over 30 vessels around the world, and this number is expected to increase to 200 to 300 vessels by year-end 2021.

ScanReach also delivers POB Connect Wind, a customised solution for the offshore wind industry.