Axis PTZ cameras make it easy for Seafar to navigate autonomously

This Belgian company, Specialized in solutions and services to operate unmanned vessels, uses different PTZ cameras from Axis Communications for remote supervision and monitoring of ships.

Seafar NV is a developer of solutions and services for operate unmanned and reduced-crew vessels for ship owners and shipping companies. The boats integrate your control system and operated by an authorized captain remotely.

It is operational and Automated Vessel Management is carried out through its Remote Operations Centers (ROC), located in Belgium and Germany, in which captains are backed by the latest technologies based on artificial intelligence and learning.

Seafar currently operates about forty ships on European inland waterways, that monitor via Axis PTZ network cameras from Seafar's remote operations centres in Antwerp, Charleroi and Duisburg.

"The Artificial intelligence and machine learning are vital to feed the object detection capabilities of our software and allow a ship to learn from its surroundings," he explains Janis Bargsten, CCO Seafar NV-. In this way we increase the situation awareness of the ship operator and improve operational safety in any type of weather circumstance".

Seafar NV has gained extensive experience using this technology on the waterways of Belgium, which shows his Efficiency and safety on the semi-autonomous navigation remote, reducing human error and improving responsiveness.

The same, The shipping industry benefits from streamlined operations, lower costs and better resource management, making the seas more accessible and sustainable.

As he points out Johan Ledens, Axis Sales Engineer, "To see a ship of more than 100 meters long enter a lock, with only an arm's length between the doors, It's simply stunning. Knowing that our PTZ cameras are the eyes of the captain miles away in a shipping hub clearly shows how innovation and technology make our lives easier.".

Artificial intelligence technology and deep learning are used for object detection and sensor fusion. The combination of the ship's autonomy (navigation) and remote piloting is the key to the implementation of smart and efficient maritime transport.

A variety of Axis PTZ network cameras provide the necessary overview of the boat and its surroundings. Devices with horizontal movement, vertical and zoom of the Q61- series, Q62 & M55 of this manufacturer are 'the eyes' in every position relevant to the captains or skippers who are in the control center.

The skipper uses the cameras during manoeuvres to provide a complete overview of port and starboard, as well as the front and rear of the boat, which must be planned and initiated well in advance of the actual action. The model Axis Q62, with its flat front glass with wipers and MIL-STD-810G helps in this process.

Thanks to the installation of PTZ cameras, The captain now has a Much broader vision around your boat than you would have from your cabin on board, resulting in a significant improvement in safety.

Boats are remotely controlled for delicate maneuvers, as happens in locks, but they can also navigate completely autonomously on simple routes using video analytics and other technologies that enable autonomous governance, so that a captain can control several ships at the same time.

In addition to the video, The Axis cameras with microphones allow the ship's crew to remotely monitor engine performance and audibly detect sounds of early engine failure. If necessary, A Speaker Speaker of the series Axis C13 to send live messages to passers-by or staff.

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