Walking by an Aqualarm display at Strictly Sail, a cellphone-based emergency alert system that ties into your boat’s systems caught my eye. I’ve seen some other devices and services that provide some similar functionality, e.g. the sophisticated SeaKey system that uses a two-way satellite connection to monitor your boat’s position and systems. The Aqualarm is a simpler system that’s relatively affordable. A small black box can monitor most any circuit that has a two conductor, closure switch, such as a bilge water detector, smoke or fire alarm, intrusion alarm, etc. It also has a low battery voltage alarm, and can detect excessive bilge pump cycling. When an event is detected, you receive a cellphone text message alerting you to the problem. Best of all, the $15/month flat fee for the monitoring service is pretty reasonable. If you are away from your moored or docked boat a lot of the time and want some peace-of-mind, this system seems like a pretty good value. Prices with various sensor options range from about $750 to $1,200.

Aqualarm has a whole range of safety-oriented sensors and alarms. After an unfortunate experience with a plugged exhaust manifold and a ruptured exhaust hose on an inboard-outboard motorboat a few weeks ago, I have a heightened interest in the raw water flow and exhaust hose temperature sensors. I bet a large proportion of Aqualarm’s sales come after a scary and/or expensive event on board! Their products seem to be fairly priced and good quality, and not overly high tech. Worth a look.