Smart Monitoring Of Your Boat
Using Global Low Cost Satellite
Monitoring Your Boat
Farfields Orbit monitors the key signals that result in the most common issues that cause trouble on your boat. We want you to enjoy your boat whenever you want to go sailing without problems that get in the way of time on the water.
There are many small issues on boats that if unresolved escalate and may cascade into a number of problems needing urgent attention. Our remote monitoring system provides continuous 24/7 care of your boat in your marina, on moorings and wherever you go sailing.
We are using the latest generation of satellite technology to provide reliable low cost monitoring that is simple to install and operate. With no cellular SIM cards to worry about the Farfields Orbit system connects your boat to your phone wherever your boat is moored - that could be your local marina, swing moorings, beaches, bays, islands or multi-day adventures and voyages.
Cascade of Escalating Faults
Did you know the most common problems on boats are caused by unreliable electrical systems? We call this the cascade of escalating faults:
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Loss of Shore Power = battery discharge, onboard equipment not operating
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Low Battery Voltage = unable to start engine, bilge pumps fail to operate, fridge/freezer defrosts, cost of new batteries
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Freezer defrost = warm beer(!), cabin smells from rotting meat or fish, cost to clean cabin, new carpets
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Bilge pump running = boat leak, boat sinking, faulty pump or float switch, pump burnout
We don't overlook the risk of unwanted attention on your boat. Intruders can mean damage to boat, theft of goods onboard, theft of equipment, e.g. electronics, audiovisual gear, outboards, or theft of boat. Even though your marina has gates, guards and video security this may not be enough to prevent interference to your precious asset.
Any of these problems gets in the way of your time on the water. Precious time that you can't get back no matter what the cause of boat issues. You don't want to spend time resolving problems before sailing, and finding a marine electrician at short notice can be impossible and expensive. Claims to your insurance may affect renewal premium cost or willingness of insurers to provide cover.
The Farfields Orbit system identifies and alerts you to these issues when they occur. This gives time for you or your boat manager to investigate and resolve small problems, or arrange engineering attention that may be needed. Early alert to small issues saves you precious time and cost. You have more sailing time to enjoy with family and friends.
Why Use Satellite?
Using low cost satellite provides the advantage of horizon to horizon cover whereever your boat is located. Signals are received by satellites as they pass over your boat - signals go up to space without deadspots caused by being out of land based wireless coverage.
Our system is also capable for a diverse range of remote sensing telematic applications. From maritime assets to solar power farms the Orbit system can provide reliable low power data communications. Get in touch if you have an application to discuss with us.
Why don't we use a cellular SIM card?
Many of our competitors use cellular systems to connect their systems to boats - we don't.
Others may only use wifi or short range wireless, these only operate where someone else provides the wifi network - a risk that your monitoring fails if (or more likely, when) the wifi network goes offline.
What are the disadvantages of cellular?
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Requires cell phone coverage, but cell networks are built around populated areas not the marine environment
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There are always dead spot areas that local phone coverage doesn't reach
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Remote regions aren't covered, especially maritime areas such as beaches, bays, islands, cliff coastways
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Offshore isn't covered - 4G typically reaches 5 miles / 8 km reliably, but only if your boat is in view of a cell phone mast
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Deep ocean isn't covered - the only option for reliable offshore data connection is expensive legacy satellite systems. Until now, our new system provides global low cost coverage.
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International travel is problematic as SIM card roaming requires additional costs and carrier agreements. These are notorious for connection problems and lack of support for data connected monitoring systems. If you travel across the English Channel, around the Med or to the Carribean how will you be sure your monitoring system can track and report for you? Our satellite system has you covered!
Farfields is providing boat owners with peace of mind that your boat is safe and secure. The Farfields Orbit monitoring system ensures you are able to go sailing without dramas or problems.
Satellite IoT Sensing
We are firm believers that remote sensing of assets and resources using satellite systems will create positive outcomes. We have been investigating and experimenting with the most recent developments for the Internet of Things from space and are undertaking a project to develop practical systems.
The latest generation of low earth orbit satellites espcially for Internet of Things remote sensing applications is creating a new scope of capability that we are eager advocates for. We've spoken to many of the new satellite IoT operators and assesssed their services.
IoT from Space is somewhat of a complex topic, so we can boil the benefits down to this:
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Low cost - comparable to land based data connection providers and undercutting legacy satellite services
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Ubiquitous - a goal of global coverage solving the problem of high cost land based wireless systems and connecting regions that are underserved by existing providers
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Simple - taking care of the complexity of global data connectivity with platform services that are easy to use
The latest generation of low earth orbit satellites espcially for Internet of Things remote sensing applications is creating a new scope of capability that we are eager advocates for. We've spoken to many of the new satellite IoT operators and assesssed their services.
IoT from Space is somewhat of a complex topic, so we can boil the benefits down to this:
-
Low cost - comparable to land based data connection providers and undercutting legacy satellite services
-
Ubiquitous - a goal of global coverage solving the problem of high cost land based wireless systems and connecting regions that are underserved by existing providers
-
Simple - taking care of the complexity of global data connectivity with platform services that are easy to use