Wärtsilä launches SmartPredict to provide safer ship manoeuvring guidance
Wärtsilä launched its latest innovation, SmartPredict, at this year’s Seatrade Cruise Global event in Fort Lauderdale, USA, in March. Developed by the company’s Dynamic Positioning unit, SmartPredict is designed to provide safer and more efficient vessel operations by reducing the risks associated with manoeuvring.
The system displays the vessel’s predicted future position and heading, and uses proven dynamic positioning (DP) analysis algorithms to evaluate forces affecting the vessel, thereby providing advanced motion prediction. SmartPredict also features a configurable prediction time display.
Most conventional prediction systems are only able to use basic input parameters, so the assistance they provide is limited. Wärtsilä’s SmartPredict software module, however, utilises all of the parameters used for automated control by the DP and adjusts them for the motion characteristics of the vessel. These inputs include the vessel’s current position and heading, as well as its velocity and rate of turn and all associated accelerations. Also taken into consideration are the manual commands from the co-ordinated control joystick, and environmental input from the onboard wind sensors. These factors are all continuously evaluated to provide a constant updating of the vessel’s path.
“Enabling the operator to see into the future enables smarter and safer ship handling decisions to be made, thus lowering the risk of accidents occurring. We see SmartPredict as being an important step towards more automated procedures, such as docking and, eventually, fully autonomous vessel manoeuvring,” said Maik Stövhase, director of automation, navigation, communication and integrated systems in Wärtsilä Marine Solutions’ electrical and automation division.
The Wärtsilä user interfaces provide a simple, intuitive display, allowing the operator to toggle on or off the “ghost ship” indicators for the predicted positions. This display also allows the user to configure the time steps for the predictions. Fully compatible with the electronic chart display and information system (ECDIS) overlay function, SmartPredict provides clear indications of potential dangers during ship manoeuvring, immediately increasing the safety and efficiency of operations.
New system supports GE SeaStream
GE’s Marine Solutions’ new vessel control and dynamic positioning (DP) system SeaLyte complements GE’s bespoke SeaStream solutions, providing a structured and standardised package to better serve customers with smaller vessels for offshore support and merchant markets.
“Side-by-side consultation with our customers has guided the development and application of the new range of vessel automation, control and DP systems to the market. It is the way we ensure that SeaLyte responds to industry challenges and provides much needed flexibility and cost efficiency for effective maritime operations,” said Tim Schweikert, president and chief executive of GE’s Marine Solutions.
The SeaLyte solution streamlines tried, tested and trusted SeaStream technology and offers a range of configurable options within a standardised package to help customers achieve their performance goals more cost effectively.
SeaLyte comprises two standalone products – the SeaLyte Vessel Control System (VCS) and SeaLyte DP. Both can be fully integrated into one package or used independently with third-party technologies, providing much needed flexibility to accommodate and integrate with existing or pre-selected sub-systems on board vessels.
There is a trend for various independent elements of electronic equipment to have commonality such as shared interfaces with other sub-systems. SeaLyte provides an intuitive touchscreen with high resolution graphics that is suitable for use with third-party sub-systems.
The SeaLyte VCS sits at the heart of a vessel’s automation process. It constitutes a platform of integrated functions, including machinery alarm and monitoring, machinery and auxiliary systems control, optional power management and mission-specific systems such as cargo handling. Although designed to automate smaller types of vessels, the SeaLyte VCS is not restricted in its functionality or class compliance.
The SeaLyte DP System is an automatic position and heading control system with manual and automatic position control, heading control, joystick manoeuvring and a user-friendly interface to ships’ systems and reference equipment.
SeaLyte DP is Class 1 and Class 2 compliant. There are numerous options available for the operator station with different levels of sophistication and corresponding levels of functionality to cost effectively meet the needs of each shipowner, shipbuilder and DP operator.
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