I’ve been impressed with the wide array of high-end security, monitoring, and tracking technology offered by GOST (previously Paradox Marine), so it’ll be nice to take a bit more time to learn about the line at the Seattle Boat Show (January 21-30). GOST will be upstairs at Concourse 2317. I spend a lot of time up on the Concourse; I call it the “electronics ghetto”. On with the press release! —Tim

FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA (USA) – Boat security, monitoring & tracking systems from Global Ocean Security Technologies (GOST – formerly Paradox Marine) will be on display at the 2011 Seattle Boat Show, January 21-30, Concourse booth 2317 in the Qwest Field Event Center.

GOST products include the Nav-Tracker GPS Tracking System, Marine Magellan Insight Security, Monitoring & Surveillance System, the GOST Immobilizer and the GOST Acoustic Barrier powered by Inferno.

When a Nav-Tracker transmitter is mounted discreetly on a boat and armed, a wireless ‘geo-fence’ with a 500-meter radius is created. If a boat is moved outside of this fence, Nav-Tracker uses Inmarsat based GPS satellite technology to monitor a boat’s location and notify up to ten people by email and/or text message every 15 minutes with the latitude/longitude, speed and heading. The systems’ optional sensors include door contacts, infrared beam sensors, deck pressure sensors and high water sensors. There is also an optional 130 decibel siren that can be added for extra protection.

The Marine Magellan Insight includes all the components necessary to help protect a boat and keep an eye on exactly what is happening onboard at all times. The system sends emails and text messages when events occur and saves a snapshot or video clip to the user’s account, which is accessible on any computer or mobile phone with internet access. The owner sees what the camera sees when motion is detected and it also allows the owner to login and view streaming video off the boat on their computer or cell phone.

In addition, Insight notifies a boat owner or captain with a phone call if there’s high water in the bilge, low battery voltage, loss of shore power, smoke or intrusion.

The New GOST Immobilizer is an easy-to-install boat security system for single-engine boats, yacht tenders, RIBs and PWCs.

The device is controlled via a wireless key fob. When armed, the Immobilizer blocks high current draw from the battery while still allowing low power consumption components such as stereo memory to function normally. When an engine startup is attempted, the Immobilizer sounds a timed siren and prevents the engine from turning over.

GOST Acoustic Barrier powered by Inferno can function as a sound barrier or as a traditional siren. It effectively stops intruders in their tracks by generating a patented unbearable pattern, frequency and intensity noise.

For more information about these and other GOST boat security, monitoring, tracking and surveillance systems, visit Concourse booth 2317 at the 2011 Seattle Boat Show, www.gostglobal.com or call 1+954.565.9898.

I got a chance to see the entire suite of GOST components yesterday at the big NMEA conference here in Seattle. I’m hoping to spend a bit of time with the folks from GOST (formerly Paradox), but for the time being you’ll have to make due with a press release:

FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA (USA) – Global Ocean Security Technologies (GOST – formerly Paradox Marine) will introduce the industry to three new onboard security cameras at the National Marine Electronics Association’s 2010 International Marine Electronics Conference and Expo, September 29-October 2 in Seattle, Washington.

GOST Vari-Focal Ball Analog Camera

Measuring only 4.72 inch (D) X 3.94 inch (H) inches in diameter, the GOST Vari-Focal Ball Analog Camera is a rugged, tamper proof, water resistant camera which will not detract from the décor and ambience of the vessel. With 24 state-of-the-art, infrared LED’s, the VF Ball Camera automatically senses light changes and switches the camera mode from bright to monochrome light at night, or in low light conditions. The high resolution camera uses 540 TVL and a 2.8 to 11 mm DC Iris lens, allowing the user to set the zoom where it is most appropriate and easily adjusts when necessary.

GOST Mini Dome LED

The new GOST Mini Dome Infrared LED Camera measuring just 3.14 inch (D) X 1.10 Inch (H), is a high performance, high resolution; day/night camera will perform very well in total darkness, with powerful illumination to provide visibility of objects up to 20 feet away. This camera has Sony Super HAD II CCD with 540 TVL and a 3.6mm fixed iris lens.

GOST Mini Dome Pixim

The new GOST Mini Dome Camera with Pixim Digital Pixel System Technology measuring just 3.14 inch (D) X 1.10 Inch (H), is a high performance camera which offers exceptional Wide Dynamic Range and sensitivity for any harsh lighting environment. Offering high resolution imaging with its 1/3" CMOS Pixim chip set, the programming of all Mini Dome Prixim functions can be managed easily through the camera joystick and on-screen display. Pixim’s patented Digital Pixel System technology revolutionizes the way video cameras capture and process images. Unlike traditional cameras, where each pixel cannot adjust to highlights and lowlights in the same scene, Pixim technology empowers hundreds of thousands of pixels to act like individual cameras constantly self-adjusting. This all-digital system enables Pixim-powered cameras to efficiently capture the whole picture, regardless of lighting condition or application, to secure the highest resolution, natural color and clarity, while automatically eliminating image-compromising visual noise (e.g., glare, reflections).

It’s another innovative product from Paradox Marine’s Gost division. And you gotta admit the “GOST” name is pretty cool all by itself. It stands for “Global Ocean Security Technologies”.

But never mind the hype; pay attention to what this unit actually DOES. They’ve really given this some thought. OK, on with the press release!

FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA (USA) – Global Ocean Security Technologies (GOST – formerly Paradox Marine) has introduced GOST Immobilizer, a start up prevention system for single-engine outboard boats, yacht tenders, RIBs and PWCs.

The device is controlled via a wireless key fob. When armed, the Immobilizer blocks high current draw from the battery while still allowing low power consumption components to function normally. When an engine startup is attempted, the Immobilizer sounds a timed siren and prevents the engine from turning over.

The Immobilizer installs easily and thanks to its hardened battery lug connection design, is difficult to compromise. “Immobilizer is the ideal solution for small craft and fills a significant void in this segment of the market. It will thwart the joy riders and island hoppers who need a quick transport from a tender when it is tied up at a transient dock,” said GOST Director of Research and Development Brian Kane.

I wrote a little bit about this last week while covering the Seattle Boat Show. Now the press release comes out, complete with a little note: A C-Pod Security System will be on display at the Cobra Marine booth #1610 at the Miami International Boat Show, February 11-15 in Miami, Florida.

Gosh, and to think I saw it at Tim and Marya’s North Pacific Marketing booth at the Seattle show a week ago! Anyway, on with the press release…

When boaters are away from their vessel, it’s important for them to know their investment is safe and sound. Giving owners peace of mind, the C-Pod Security System offered by Cobra Marine, a division of Cobra Electronics, monitors and manages any vessel through the internet or a mobile phone. Notifications are sent instantly via the web or by text message, if events, such as battery shortages, unauthorized movement, high water levels, intrusions or fires, occur on board.

The C-Pod can also be used to remotely switch on equipment, such as AC, heating or a refrigerator, and accurately serves as a GPS tracking device. All communication setup is controlled through mycpod.com and users can choose the recipients of the alarms and warnings, ensuring they’re never missed. Owners can also log on via the internet to view updated information regarding boat position, speed and status.

Equipped with GeoFence, an alarm is triggered if the vessel is moved more than 820′ without authorization. The C-Pod is monitored using a Heartbeat function, which sends out a signal at regular intervals. If a Heartbeat fails, such as if the system is disabled, a warning is sent to notify the owner.

Easy to install, the system is plug-and-play capable and utilizes up to 12 optional sensors. Sophisticated accessory options include a two-way remote control, smoke detector, high water sensor, high gain antenna, motion detector, connection hubs, siren and 12 or 24V remote switched relays.

The C-Pod system from Cobra Marine retails for $499.95 and comes with the C-Pod communication unit, GSM and GPSantennas, 33′ of power cable, 20′ of USB cable, remote activation button with status LED, magnetic intrusion alarm, manual and a three-year warranty in the USA. Activation requires a $24.95/month service fee and a two-year service contract. All GSM communication is included in the monthly fee. The service includes free international roaming to ensure optimum security in case of theft.

I wrote a roundup of vessel tracking systems last spring, but just now I spotted a new offering in this field from Cobra Marine.

The C-Pod Security System consists of a monitor and GPS tracker you install on the boat, out of sight. If your boat leaves home, or if the battery voltage falls outside preset limits, or if a motion sensor is triggered, you’ll know about it.

It uses the cellular grid to communicate vessel status, so that’s a limiting factor if your boat is outside a service area. The unit costs $495, and requires a $25 monthly service contract for the communication part.

There’s more to it than I’ve described here, but Cobra doesn’t have a page up for this product yet! They only recently aquired the product line, as I understand it, so you can find a lot of information at the existing C-Pod website. Also, you can see a sample and get the lowdown from Tim Groseclose at North Pacific Marketing (C2113, upstairs).

Seattle’s on the map! No offense to all those wonderful east-coast boat shows, but SOME east-coast manufacturers seem to think the only boat show worth hyping is one in Florida.

I beg to differ. Seattle has a lot to offer a manufacturer trying to make an impression on influential recreational boaters. Seattle has long been home to many innovative manufacturers (in marine as well as aviation and info-tech industries), so naturally the region is home to quite a lot of forward-thinking boat owners interested in technology.

It’s refreshing to see a Florida-based manufacturer talk up its presence at the upcoming Seattle Boat Show. I’ve written a bit about Paradox Marine’s Nav-Tracker product line in the past. Paradox Marine has a reputation for creating high-end vessel tracking and monitoring systems.

If you want the best, but you don’t have the propeller-headed über-geekiness to build it all yourself like Steve Roberts (and even in Seattle, few of us have), then Paradox Marine’s booth (2317) at the 2010 Seattle Boat show ought to be on your list.

On with the press release!

FT. LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA (USA) – Boat security systems supplier Paradox Marine will feature its Magellan Insight GPS DVR and Nav-Tracker 2.0 GPS tracking systems at the 2010 Seattle Boat Show, January 29-February 6 at the Qwest Field Event Center, concourse booth 2317.

Insight includes all the components necessary to help protect a boat and keep an eye on exactly what is happening onboard at all times. The system sends emails and text messages when events occur and saves a snapshot or video clip to the user’s account which is accessible on any computer or mobile phone with internet access. The owner sees what the camera sees when motion is detected and it also allows the owner to login and view streaming video off the boat on their computer or cell phone.

In addition, Insight notifies a boat owner or captain with a phone call if there’s high water in the bilge, low battery voltage, loss of shore power, smoke or intrusion. If the boat is moved without authorization or stolen, Insight will send emails or text messages every 15 minutes with the vessel’s speed, heading, latitude and longitude and distance to closest city.

Connected to the internet through a 3G GSM communication device, Insight provides complete access to a boat from any computer with internet access or through a web-enabled mobile phone. The system has complete GPS tracking through the Inmarsat IsatM2M network and will report alarm notifications from anywhere in the world. When in 3G range, Insight will report alarms with a voice message, and/or email and/or SMS text message and allow owners to view live video feeds off the boat. The system will also interface with onboard satellite communication equipment for global video streaming and two way voice communication.

Owners and captains have a personalized, password-protected web page to view live streaming video from onboard cameras and archived footage from triggered events. (Insight DVR adds the ability to record and store 30 days of video from 4 onboard cameras.) Onboard security cameras can be armed, disarmed and controlled from the website.

The NAV-TRACKER 2.0 GPS Tracking System keeps owners or captains informed of a boat’s location through a GPS tracking service using the Inmarsat satellite network. The system sets a 500 Meter geo-fence (radius) around the vessel when armed. In the event of geo-fence breach or if any of the optional sensors go into alarm mode, the system will send up to 10 emails or text messages with latitude, longitude, speed and heading.

It will continue to send messages every 15 minutes until the vessel returns to the geo-fence area or the system is disarmed.

The systems optional sensors include door contacts, infrared beam sensors, deck pressure sensors, engine removal sensors or high water sensors to name a few. There is also an optional 130-decibel siren that can be added for extra protection.

For more information about Marine Magellan Insight, NAV-TRACKER 2.0 and other Paradox Marine boat security, monitoring and tracking and surveillance products, visit concourse booth 2317 at the 2010 Seattle Boat Show.

A few weeks ago, I wrote a brief summary of several of the vessel tracking packages on the market, and the do-it-yourself alternatives. One of the features I found attractive was the wireless key-fob included with the Blackline GPS Harpoon. Here’s what I wrote:

“When you get to the boat, the Harpoon disarms itself. When you leave the boat, the system arms itself again, with no action on your part. Easy!”

Not to be outdone, the go-anywhere, monitor-anything Nav-Tracker from Paradox Marine has just added a similar feature. The press release tells the tale:

Fort Lauderdale, Florida (USA) – Boat security systems supplier Paradox Marine has enhanced its Nav-Tracker 2.0 wireless boat location and GPS tracking system with SmartKEY, which automatically disarms the system when the vessel operator boards the vessel and re-arms it when the operator disembarks.

SmartKEY uses RFID technology that allows for ‘no touch’ arming and disarming of the Nav-Tracker 2.0 system. There are no buttons to push or keys to turn. With a SmartKEY in range, Nav-Tracker 2.0 is disarmed. When a SmartKEY is out of range for more than 60 seconds or is turned off, the system will re-arm itself.

How SmartKEY Works

The Nav-Tracker 2.0 SmartKEY is comprised of a state-of-the-art wireless 2.4GHz Active RFID technology with a transmitter paired with a receiver packaged inside of the Nav-Tracker 2.0 control unit operating on a proprietary frequency. The SmartKEY transmits 10 data packs per second when turned on. When it is in range of the Nav-Tracker 2.0, the SmartKEY disarms the system, and it will remain disarmed until it stops receiving the data packets for more than 60 seconds. This provides an extremely high level of security by automatically arming and disarming the system when the operator arrives or leaves the vessel – there’s no more need to remember to arm or disarm the Nav-Tracker 2.0.

[This was the Navagear spotlight over at MadMariner a couple weeks back. Enjoy! —Tim]

What the heck is “real-time asset management”? Isn’t that something my stock broker does? Oh wait, I fired my stock broker. No, this is something different.

Think of it as LoJack for your boat. Imagine a device that combines GPS technology with some form of low-power RF communication to let you know where your boat is, all the time – even if your kids, friends or some uninvited guests decide to take it for a spin.

Sure, it’s “Big Brother” – but you get to be the big brother.

Vessel trackers have become small enough, and inexpensive enough in some cases, that a system can be had for virtually any boat, even a PWC or dinghy.

This overview is not exhaustive – there are many solutions on the market – but it should help you better understand the extremely broad range of features, coverage and range options and prices you’ll encounter as you shop.

PARADOX MARINE’S NAV-TRACKER

One of the most-expensive systems is also one of the best. Wireless boat-security system supplier Paradox Marine produces the Nav-Tracker, which uses Inmarsat’s satellite network to provide tracking and monitoring anywhere in the world. The system monitors a boat’s location and, if it escapes its predefined “geo-fence,” notifies up to 10 people by e-mail or text message every 15 minutes with the vessel’s latitude and longitude, speed and heading.

Nav-Tracker.com is Paradox’s new tracking Web site, which incorporates Google Earth to display a trace (breadcrumb trail) to show precisely where a vessel has been, anywhere in the world. Since Nav-Tracker uses a two-way satellite connection, you can configure the system right from the Web site.

Nav-Tracker options include fully configurable and schedulable status reports, as well as alarm notification reports for a wide range of security sensors, bilge-pump sensors, and the like. With the Web-based interface, users can arm/disarm the system, adjust the geo-fence radius and reporting intervals, ping the vessel at any time for current position, and configure notification recipients.

You can even select which alerts go to which users, and give different users different levels of authority for the account, from view-only options to complete control.

Here’s the text of an actual Nav-Tracker message. This is what you would receive via e-mail, or as a text message on your phone:

User: Paradox Marine
Asset: M/Y Island Time
Fleet: ETI
DateTime: 2009-03-25 15:06:28 (EDT)
Event: Geo-fence breached;
Location: 26.05767,-80.13033 (0.75 mi NE of Hollywood,FL(33019))
Speed/heading: 9.2 Knots, 144 Deg
Google Earth Map: [KML]

The basic Nav-Tracker system costs about $1,000, and service plans start at $1 a day. Nav-Tracker 2.0, which starts at $1,500, includes the ability to add security and monitoring sensors, as well as local control of the unit. Nav-Tracker is one component of Paradox’s extremely comprehensive line of vessel security and fleet-management products.

BLACKLINE GPS HARPOON

This is a smaller, bare-bones unit that does essentially the same thing as Nav-Tracker, except that it uses the cellular network instead of satellites. It features a Web interface for configuring, tracking and mapping. Obviously, it will only work in coastal waters with good cellular coverage. For some smaller vessels, though, this coverage will be more than adequate.

The Harpoon unit features a built-in motion sensor. For smaller boats on trailers, this can alert you that someone is moving around on the boat, even if the boat isn’t moving. For boats stored afloat, you disable this sensor to prevent false alarms, relying instead on location changes indicated by GPS.

The costs is about $350, with a monthly subscription plan of approximately $20. One cool feature: a wireless key fob. When you get to the boat, the Harpoon disarms itself. When you leave the boat, the system arms itself again, with no action on your part. Easy!

BlackLine’s Web site allows you to configure and monitor the Harpoon units, and it displays your vessel’s location with Google’s online mapping.

CHEAPER OPTIONS

There are some cheaper options available, including non-marine units and some home-brewed solutions.

For example, there are a large number of car-tracking systems out there. The Zoombak is one of them. It isn’t a marine product, and perhaps that explains why it’s only $200. But essentially, this product does the same thing as the others, again relying on the cellular network to communicate, and using a Web-based interface to display the location of your car . . . er, sorry . . . “boat.” Service plans run $15 a month.

If you’re willing to risk a bit in the area of reliability and able to do some work yourself, you might be able to accomplish basic, bare-bones vessel tracking for less money. Be warned that all these home-brewed, do-it-yourself solutions require a bit more effort, time and energy. Also, you can’t expect to resolve any problems by placing a call to tech support.

INSTAMAPPER AND GPS PHONE

This is an extremely inexpensive option, using any GPS-enabled cell phone and the InstaMapper free online mapping service.

The InstaMapper Web site includes complete step-by-step instructions. Suffice it to say that with a $40 phone, an unlimited data plan (35 cents a day), a recharger adapter to power it and a free InstaMapper account, you’ll always know where your boat is.

As long as you set it up right, and nothing goes wrong – that includes making sure nobody disconnects it – the system should work well.

APRS OVER HAM RADIO

OK, you really need to love to fiddle with gadgets to make this APRS option work. But, you could end up with much better range than systems that rely on cellular networks (though not as good as satellite-based systems). Steve Roberts, the original over-gadgeted technomad, is the fellow who clued us in to this. Navagear first addressed this option in a recent article.

SPOT SATELLITE MESSENGER

Remember the SPOT Satellite Messenger? It’s not really a Personal Locator Beacon (PLB); those devices are like a perso
nal EPIRB, intended to be triggered only in the event of an emergency. Instead, SPOT is a tracker that provides periodic position reports via satellite, from anywhere in the world. And it’s packed into a small, rugged package, at a reasonable price. It’s intended for outdoor recreation enthusiasts in all kinds of environments.

But hey, could SPOT be used to track down a lost boat?

I suspect that SPOT could serve as a vessel tracker, anywhere in the world, if you could figure out a way to power it without relying on the internal batteries. You would need to open up the battery compartment and modify the unit to accept power from the boat’s batteries, stepping down the voltage appropriately.

Nope, I’ve never done this, but it should be possible. One huge caveat, of course: You would certainly void the unit’s warranty by tampering with the power supply. A SPOT typically sells for about $150, and a one-year service plan with the tracking option is $150.

It’s time for another Navagear feature at MadMariner. This time, it’s a survey of vessel tracking systems. Click on over and take a look!

[Steve Roberts added a comment on my recent press release posting about the Nav-Tracker service from Paradox and EMS Satamatics. With Steve's permission, Navagear will publish his comments in full here, as a stand-alone blog post.

See, if anybody is qualified to argue for a "home-brewed" alternative to commercial vehicle security, tracking, and monitoring services, it would be Steve Roberts. He was doing this with his bicycle back when LoJack was a pretty neat idea that might or might not catch on. Read on to see what he had to say about Nav-Tracker.  —Tim]

Cool tracker tech there, though it is worth appending the fact that there is a free amateur-radio alternative that works well when cruising within range of shore stations (it is not satellite-based, although there is some HF capability that is fiddly but useful in a pinch).

It is called APRS, and is a flavor of packet radio that transmits position reports at any specified interval (with minimal provision for added telemetry). Three or four sites now exist to display the resulting track in real-time on Google maps… here is a piece of the track from my cruise last fall, with the red dots indicating actual reports that made it and were forwarded on to a server in Finland:

[Click to see full size.]

And this image shows the paths of reports that were heard during one afternoon in the San Juans:

For local cruising on a budget, a little $250 tracker (or cheaper homebrew alternative) just works with no subscription fees. One must be a licensed amateur radio operator, however (tech class is sufficient). There is no added monitoring comparable to the geo-fence or Nav-Tracker alarm features, of course… this is completely open-loop from a security perspective. Still useful, though.

Cheers,
Steve (N4RVE)