Archive for June 2008

• 22 June 2008
  Icom Supports The 2008 Round Britain Offshore Powerboat Race.
  

  The race is on!

  More than 80 boats, crew and support teams are preparing for the first ‘Round Britain Powerboat Race’ in 23 years. The race promises to be an action-packed, non-stop endurance event and will be one of the most spectacular British marine sporting events seen in recent years.

  The scale of this event is huge; the competitors face a gruelling, 1,600 mile trip around the coasts of England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

  Beginning and ending in Portsmouth, the race will start on Saturday, 21st of June and finish some 10 days and 10 locations later. There will be over 100 stop-offs, with some legs of the race being well over 200 nautical miles.

  ICOM are providing radio communication equipment to ‘Two Scoops’, a 39ft Hunton powerboat skippered by Iain May.

  ‘Two Scoops’, has been causing quite a stir within the media. Its celebrity crew is made up of ‘Top Gear’ cameraman and skipper Iain May, ‘DIY SOS’ presenter Nick Knowles, ‘Top Gear’ presenter James May and navigator Jeff Hunton, this places ‘Two Scoops’ firmly in the public imagination.

  ‘Two Scoops’ skipper Iain May and the Powerboat event have an interesting connection – in 1969 Iain’s father competed in the first ever race.

  When asked about his motivation for taking up the challenge, Iain said, ‘In 1969 my father finished 11th in this race, on a boat called Translucent. I have always been keen to emulate his success. I think I have selected an ideal team mate in my ‘Top Gear’ colleague James May. James and I have worked closely together over the last 5 years and we have often talked about taking on a challenge of this nature’.

  ICOM UK was approached as a preferred partner to provide VHF communications for the ‘Two Scoops’ crew during the event. With ICOM UK’s products being fitted as standard on the Hunton Production boats, and reliability and quality of paramount importance; ICOM was the first choice of the crew. When provided with an IC-M505 Fixed VHF/DSC transceiver, and an IC-M71 handheld transceiver Iain May commented ‘It’s great; the VHF unit works with our crash helmets and also talks to the rest of our navigation gear. We’ve also got a Procom antenna to get maximum range.”

  Icom would like to wish the “Two Scoops” crew lots of luck on race day!

  Marketing: marketing@icomuk.co.uk

  The Round Britain Offshore Power Boat Race http://www.roundbritainrace.co.uk/

• 22 June 2008
  New Deckman software launched
  

  Leading race instrumentation brand B&G has released the latest version of Deckman, its renowned tactical navigation software used by raceboats ranging from America’s Cup and Volvo Ocean Race contenders to sportsboats and club racers.

  Version 9 of the Deckman software incorporates the overlay of AIS data, allowing the navigator to view the position, course and speed of all leisure and commercial craft within range equipped with class A and B transceivers.  Not only is this important for collision avoidance, but it also gives the tactician a first-hand view of competitors and team mates fitted with AIS systems.  Deckman will interface with any NMEA-0183 compatible AIS receiver such as the Simrad AI50.

  Deckman V9 also comes with an enhanced graphics engine with enhanced layline options, including shaded limit layline sectors (see image above).
   
  The popularity of Deckman with racing tacticians around the world stems from its remarkable versatility and the sophistication of its processing capabilities.  As well as a fully featured tactical navigation interface that gives the navigator a clear overview of the racing area, Deckman also provides many additional tools to allow the navigator to make accurate decisions on the racecourse.

  Key functions include the start display; giving a full tactical overview of the start area including calculations for line bias angles, time and distance data to line intersections and ‘time to go’ and ‘time to burn’ options, polar calculations, the most accurate routing algorithm available, and much, much more.  A must for racing tacticians everywhere.

  For more information about B&G and its marine electronics visit: www.bandg.com

  Navico UK
  Tel: +44 (0) 1794 510010
  Email: sales.uk@navico.com

• 13 June 2008
  Merlin launches Powerbank – an all encompassing solution for Marine Battery Management
  

  Until now, boat builders have usually had to rely on fitting three or four separate electrical and electronic modules (often from separate suppliers) to create their “battery management” solution. Alternatively, they have had to devote a huge amount of resources, time and money to develop their own bespoke systems, which inevitably end up requiring partial redesign when a new boat comes along!

  Arguably, this problem has never really been addressed comprehensively, despite the fact that a boat’s electronic systems are only ever as good as the weakest link in the electrical system!

  With this in mind, Merlin are pleased to announce the launch of Powerbank; possibly the most flexible, comprehensive system ever seen. Powerbank is designed from the ground up as a solution that a builder can use through their entire boat range; standardising on inventory and making it much easier for installation and test engineers to understand.

  Powerbank consists of a single electronic hub controlling a number of heavy duty relays. The hub can be installed in virtually any location and connects (via data cable) to a range of optional control and monitoring panels. These can be conventional switch / indicator panels or touch-screen.

  Powerbank controls up to four battery banks, providing voltage controlled split charging, remote battery isolation, flat battery protection and emergency parallel for engine starting.

  With its extremely simple windows programming software, Powerbank can be plugged into any XP or Vista PC and configured for virtually any battery setup. For example on a smaller vessel it can be setup to control a single engine start battery and a bank for domestic use. Alternatively, on a catamaran, you may have to accommodate two independent batteries for engine starting and a single large domestic bank. Configuration in the software is all via drop down menus. There’s no additional “script” to write, so installers require no software programming skills!

  Once the battery configuration has been decided, the specific voltages can be set for split charge connection and disconnection. Choice of voltages is crucial as the power usage of loads connected to either the engine or domestic batteries can effect the efficiency of the split charging setup. For example, Merlin has seen starter batteries so overloaded by the initial power drain from block heaters, that split charging very rarely connects! Time buffers can also be set for split charging and you can determine which batteries you want to parallel in an emergency for engine starting.

  There are numerous battery isolation options. An installer can select to isolate any battery channel or combination of channels from remote switches on your panel. The battery isolation relays also double up to perform flat battery protection if you choose. The exact voltages can be set for where you want to protect your batteries from excessive discharge, how long the batteries have to be below that level before disconnection and ultimately how the system is reset afterwards! Accurate protection against excessive battery discharge from non-critical circuits is long overdue and could save boat builders a fortune in battery warranties!

  In addition to all of the above, Powerbank has a wealth of different pre-programmable alarms to tell you exactly what is going on inside your system. There are also volt free relay outputs that can be assigned to alarms to achieve almost anything, such as starting a generator to help recharge the batteries. Conversely, Powerbank will accept analogue and digital inputs to react to other things going on within the boat. For example on some larger boats with bow thrusters, it’s sometimes necessary to isolate split charging while the thruster is being used to the protect engine management computers from potentially damaging voltage spikes.

  The Powerbank programming software also has a diagnostics screen, so when the unit has been setup, you can run the boat with a PC still connected and see exactly what your system is doing and ultimately whether your settings are appropriate. Digitally smoothed battery voltages can also be viewed on screen via incredibly useful “heart monitor type” moving graphs. The system is simply a dream for test teams and maintenance engineers.

  Merlin would welcome the opportunity to talk to any boat builder regarding how Powerbank could benefit them. They can be contacted on +44 (0)1202 697979 for more details or a demonstration at your location.

  www.merlinequipment.com
  sales@merlinequipment.com

• 13 June 2008
  NEW! IC-GM651 MED GMDSS Class A VHF/DSC Marine Transceiver
  

  Icom is pleased to launch a new VHF/DSC marine transceiver to its ever-growing commercial line up. The new IC-GM651 is designed for Class A DSC operation and provides a complete GMDSS VHF communication system as required for Commercial SOLAS regulated vessels engaging in international voyages. The radio also meets MED 96/98/EC, “wheel mark” approval for European merchant ships.

  The IC-GM651 is ideal for any commercial vessel that demands reliable, easy to use and high performance communications, crucial to the daily running of a commercial operation. It would be ideally suited to cruise liners, tankers, offshore tugs, salvage vessels, deep sea fishing vessels. The IC-GM651 has an independent DSC receiver, which constantly monitors Channel 70 whilst using another VHF channel. The DSC allows crew to call other ships or coast stations directly as well as all ships in their geographical area.

  The IC-GM651 has been designed to fit comfortably on any commercial bridge and blend in with other instrumentation. Its main head can be neatly installed on a bridge whilst the power supply discretely mounts out of the way and out of sight. Its styling matches its counterpart MF/HF GMDSS radio, the IC-M801GMDSS.

  The IC-GM651 features an easy-to-use keypad, allowing direct frequency entry. The large dot-matrix display offers 7 levels of backlighting intensity to suit operating conditions. Large dials and buttons allow for easy operation in rough seas and low light conditions.

  Ian Lockyer, Marketing Manager of Icom (UK) Ltd said, ’The IC-GM651 is a powerful, yet user-friendly transceiver and is priced extremely competitively. When teamed up with the IC-M801GMDSS MF/HF radio, Icom offers a complete MF/HF/VHF GMDSS communications station. The IC-GM1600E survival craft radio completes Icom’s great new GMDSS line up.’

  Marketing: marketing@icomuk.co.uk

• 13 June 2008
  Raymarine donates ‘Spirit of the Event’ Trophy for 2008 Round Britain Offshore Power Boat Race
  

  With 48 boats in eight different classes from 7.5 to 13 metres (24-45 feet), eight legs covering some 1,424 nautical miles around Britain, and around 200 people taking part, there will be plenty of opportunities to be nominated as the recipient of the new Raymarine ‘Sprit of the Event’ Trophy to be awarded for the first time in the 2008 Round Britain Offshore Power Boat Race.

  Whether an individual or an entire team, in the slowest classic boat or the ultimate race machine, whether overcoming adversity or entertaining the crowds and crew; nominations for the trophy will be accepted from the competitors and race committee during the ten day race which starts from Gunwharf Quays in Portsmouth on June 21st. 

  Mike Lloyd, Event Director of the race said:  “We are delighted to have a stunning new trophy to add to our event, thanks to our sponsor Raymarine.  The “Spirit of the Event” really sums up what this race is all about.  It’s a great adventure and a massive challenge to everyone who takes part whether on the water, as part of the race crew, as a family member or friend.  We’ll be encouraging everyone to give us their nominations for the person, team or boat that most sums up the spirit of this truly amazing race.”

  The 2008 Round Britain Offshore Power Boat Event was first held in 1969.  This year is only the third time that the race has been held, and the quarter of a century that has passed since the last event has resulted in a healthy list of entries, with hundreds of dedicated racers and boaters taking part.  “The challenges ahead for these brave teams are enormous,“ says Mike.  “It’s an incredibly tough event on both the body and the boats.  We expect at least a quarter of the boats will suffer some kind of breakdown on the legs from Portsmouth to Oban.  We have a lay day at Inverness to regroup and I am sure by then we’ll already have a host of nominees for the Raymarine Spirit of the Event Trophy, even with another four legs to go.”

  Raymarine donates ‘Spirit of the Event’ Trophy for 2008 Round Britain Offshore Power Boat Race

  Fiona Pankhurst, International Marketing Communications Manager at Raymarine said:  “We are delighted to present the Raymarine Spirit of the Event Trophy.  We feel this is a prize that really sums up the ethos of the race.  You might not have won, you might not even have finished, but you will have deserved recognition for taking part; it’s a great looking trophy too which we hope captures some of the essence of this unique race.”

  For more information about the 2008 Round Britain Offshore Power Boat Event please visit www.roundbritainrace.co.uk
  __________________________________________

• 13 June 2008
  GEE races Round Britain with Raymarine
  

  Complete refit of historic racing powerboat includes integrated navigation, communications and safety equipment installation

  June 2008 – A total refit of GEE, originally built in 1967, has enabled owner Chris Clayton to include a complete package of the latest marine navigation, communications and safety products on board.  

  With the prospect of one of the toughest endurance races looming – the 2008 Round Britain Offshore Power Boat Race – GEE has been fully equipped with a marine electronics package that brings the boat right up to date with all the latest position, speed, communications, radar and safety equipment.  The equipment on board includes Raymarine’s latest high tech digital fishfinder.  This won’t be used to hunt down fish – unless the crew search for the Loch Ness monster while going through the Caledonian Canal – but it will give high clarity images of the sea bed and water depth when launching and berthing the boat during the nine stop-overs.

  Geoff Sargent, who has been responsible for the electronics installation on GEE, said that due to space limitation within the cockpit even the boat’s traditional fuel tank gauges had been removed.  Using Raymarine’s NMEA2000 data link, vital fuel and engine data would be available through the E120 integrated multi-function display and the ST60+ instruments fitted on board. 

  Thanks to the complete package of products available through Raymarine, Sargent says that installation of all the equipment to provide fully integrated data has been easy to achieve.  On board, data from the radar, chartplotter, and the AIS receiver – which provides a wireless exchange of details of vessels within the vicinity showing them as distinct and identifiable targets – will all be available on the large, easy to see, bright sunlight viewable, colour E120 screen.  At the push of a button, the pilot or navigator can switch screens, or select a picture within a picture, to bring up more details.  Key data, such as speed, position and fuel monitoring information will also be available and repeated on the ST60+ instruments. 

  Raymarine has also supplied an autopilot, which will intuitively understand the boat’s sea handling characteristics, giving the crew some welcome rest from manually steering on some of the longer offshore legs.  For fast shore and water-based communications there are hand-held radios combined with an installed Ray240E radio with Digital Selective Calling (DSC) which transmits an emergency call with vessel data and position at the press of a button.

  Finally, for complete crew safety, GEE has been equipped with Raymarine’s LifeTag Man Overboard system.  Anyone on-board GEE – and during the race there will be a variety of guest crew including Fiona Pankhurst, International Marketing Communications Manager of Raymarine; and Hayden Morgan, who will be celebrating his 40th birthday on the leg from Newcastle to Lowestoft – will wear a LifeTag transmitter as a standard safety procedure.  If a person falls overboard, the LifeTag emits a warning sound and the position is automatically logged on the chartplotter and instruments enabling the remaining crew or a rescue vessel to quickly find the person in the water.

  GEE’s owner Chris Clayton says he is delighted that the historic GEE is now completely up to date with the latest high technology navigation, communications and safety equipment.  He concluded: “We chose Raymarine because not only does the company have an excellent reputation for manufacturing reliable products, it was also one of the only companies that could provide us with the entire range of equipment we needed.  This has enabled us to completely integrate all the data with the plug-and-play interface, and has also been very easy to install.  All this technology on board will make a massive change from when GEE first competed in the Round Britain Race in 1969.”  

• 13 June 2008
  New 3-in-1 Gimballed rate compass from B&G
  

  The new Gimballed Rate Compass (GRC) from B&G offers for the first time a competitively priced solution to the problem of eliminating the effects of heel and pitch from the compass read-out.  This feeds through into greater accuracy for a number of instrument measurements, including wind speed and angle. By adding gimbals to the rate sensor B&G has created a compass that gives the true rate of turn whatever the angle of heel or sea state, a major advantage for both accurate autopilot steering performance and for race boats looking for real time data on course changes and wind shifts.

  In addition to heading data the Gimballed Rate Compass also brings to navigators and helmsmen the added bonus of integrated heel and trim sensors, giving a complete picture of the boat’s set-up in any given conditions via a single sensor package.

  The GRC is designed to fit in seamlessly with existing B&G systems, integrating with both B&G H3000 ACP Pilots and, following a software upgrade later in 2008, with the Graphical Function Display (GFD) unit. It also has an NMEA-0183 output for linking with other instruments. 

  The Gimballed Rate Compass will be a valued addition to the instrumentation systems of cruising boats fitted with autopilots and club racers alike.  See www.bandg.com for more details.

  For more information about B&G and its marine electronics visit: www.bandg.com

  Navico UK
  Tel: +44 (0) 1794 510010
  Email: sales.uk@navico.com

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