Product Roundup

By Brian Hagenbuch

his spring Intellian rolled out T the new v45C, a compact VSAT antenna that provides high-speed connectivity for commercial fishing vessels under 80 feet. The antenna’s dish has a diameter of 45 centimeters, making it Intellian’s smallest unit yet.

Viable in tight spaces on seiners, gillnetters, and trollers, the v45C provides small vessels with powerful connectivity once reserved for the big guys.

Paul Comyns, Intellian’s vice president of global sales, said these little, powerful antennas are made possible by sweeping technological advances.

“It’s an interesting time because the technology is advancing for both the satellites and the antennas. That means we’re able to create a smaller antenna that has the ability to create high-speed, broadband connectivity,” Comyns said.

The speed is facilitated by high-throughput satellite technology, which leverages multiple network operators to provide a focused spot beam for high power in a small area. The antenna works where there is satellite coverage, which Comyns said covers most fishing grounds and coastal areas.

“It opens up a huge market potential with smaller fishing vessels. Before, they might have had internet onboard, but it was slow, pay-per-megabyte, expensive,” Comyns said.

Comyns added that one advantage of the Intellian system is that it works with anyone’s airtime. Like an unlocked cellphone, this increases the versatility of the antenna. Plus, the v45C functions under a pay-what-you-use model, great for smaller boats with low overhead.

“For a smaller vessel that needs just a little bit of email connectivity, or needs to talk to their wife and kids occasionally, or needs to report their catch, they can just pay for a small amount of data,” Comyns said.

But then, of course, the high-speed internet is at hand as well, something that Comyns added is increasingly becoming an expectation at sea, no matter the size of the vessel.

By Brian Hagenbuch

orway’s Kongsberg Maritime N has rolled out two water jet control systems, the JCS Compact and JCS Extended. Based on the new JCS (jet control system) technology program, the two systems use standard components for lower costs and simpler operations.

The JCS Compact is for small- to medium-sized boats, with a custom control system to manage steering as well as reversing bucket and other options. The system works in tandem with the waterjets to provide smoother, more accurate control of the vessel.

According to Kongsberg, the Compact “can be used with either one or two control stations and a single waterjet propulsion unit or, for full redundancy and operational safety in the event of unforeseen issues, a dual-waterjet configuration.”

The Compact and the waterjet unit and hydraulic components are tested and calibrated before being sent to the buyer. The simple, small unit also features plugin assembly and easy instructions for installation and startup. A 2.8-inch display screen shows steering angle and reversing bucket, with a high-contrast display that is visible even in glaring sunlight.

The JCS Extended is similar to the compact but on a larger scale. With a capacity of three control stations and four waterjet propulsion units, the system can increase the maneuverability of larger workboats by providing more precision in the waterjet hydraulic valves.

The Extended can also be hooked up to an optional GNSS antenna, with a number of other possible applications, like Auto Positioning, Anchor Point, Auto Heading and Trim Assist, as well as Park Mode. According to Kongsberg, Park Mode “enables hydraulic cylinder rods to be withdrawn to prevent fouling when vessels are docked in areas with a high concentration of bio-organisms.”

Control stations for the Extended have 7-inch display screens, with ergonomically updated design touches.

New Intellian antenna brings high-speed connectivity to small boats.

www.intelliantech.com

Control systems for smoother, more precise maneuvering.

KONGSBERG MARITIME kongsberg.com/maritime

A collaboration between GANNET NETS and Japan’s ASANO, this STAINLESS STEEL NEEDLE is the tool you did not know you needed. The needle is designed specifi cally for effectively seizing new twines that are thinner and stronger, in particular UHMWPE twine. The softness of traditional plastic needles means they fl ex under the increased pressure of stronger line or are lacerated by the twine. This needle stands up to the force and ensures tight seizings. The new TEU001 TOUCH ENCODER UNIT from FURUNO is a sleek, compact and simple new control unit for the TZtouch2 and TZtouch3. The circular unit combines the RotoKey and LCD touchscreen, familiar to users of the Edge Swipe, for fi ngertip control of your readouts. The touchscreen allows for swiping in all directions to access menu options, with long and short press functions for zooming and panning charts, and the TEU001 is installed by simply plugging it into a USB port. KODEN’S KGC-300 is a highly accurate GPS compass; a transmitting heading device and a professionalgrade GPS navigator in one. The IMO-approved device not only provides skippers with precise heading, position, and speed data on calm days, it also stays accurate in rolling, adverse conditions. The accuracy of the KGC300 also improves the performance of other onboard electronics. Available in the states though Si-Tex Marine Electronics.

www.gannet.com

www.furuno.com

www.si-tex.com

The handy QUIK-LOK fi ttings from FLOW-RITE make connecting marine hoses quick and easy. Made from rust-proof, marine-grade polypropylene, the connectors do not require tools or hose clamps, and they are available in the standard 1-1/2- by 1-inch, straight or elbow. Dual O-rings in the male end prevent seepage, and the female end has a collar to grab and twist for tight connections. The design is easy to install in tight spaces, and the connections will hold up to boat vibration.

KIT provides a compact dashboard readout of battery health. The device’s intelligent battery sensor measures and reports voltage, current, and temperature, as well as state of charge and overall battery health for either a single 12-volt battery or two 24-volt batteries. The gauge on the monitor can also be used for liquid level monitoring with an optional dipstick, and the entire system is smartphone compatible. EDGETECH has released the 2050-DSS, a new sonar system that combines trip-frequency side-scan sonar with high-resolution sub-bottom profi ling for cleaner data. The sidescan sonar in combination with the hydrophone panel sub-bottom profi ler improve signal to noise ratios through enhanced beam patterns. The sonar comes with a combined towfi sh, rack mount, and EdgeTech’s Discover software, as well electronics and sensors to fi t the sonar to an ROV.

www. ow-rite.com

www.veratron.com

www.edgetech.com