DFDS opts for Wärtsilä’s SPECS tech for Selandia Seaways ferry

Live distance indications to objects around the vessel reduce collision risks, protecting passengers, crew and the ferry, while improved visibility will help crew navigate in rough seas.

DFDS head of innovation and partnerships Mads Bentzen Billesø said, “Access to a full and high-resolution image of the vessel and its surroundings, as well as exact distances to important objects around the vessel, all in real-time, is a very powerful tool.”

“This supports our crew members and captains in making the right operational decisions in even the most challenging situations based on data, improving efficiency and safety.”

Wärtsilä said SPECS’ motion stabilisation technology works regardless of weather and available light, while its vibration cushioning and automatic camera cleaning offers Selandia Seaway’s crew better visibility. A calibrated grid will provide the exact distance between the vessel and the quayside when docking. 

An augmented reality function superimposes navigation data onto the video stream provided by the cameras in real time, helping to detect hazards earlier. Finally, SPECS includes a post-voyage incident investigation tool.

Fellow operator Brittany Ferries has also signed up to use Wärtsilä’s SPECS camera system on a large passenger ferry.

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