Month: June 2021

What Are the Advantages of ECDIS or Paperless Navigation of Ships?

Posted on: June 24, 2021


For centuries, paper charts served as the core navigational tool used by ship crews on their oceanic voyages. Until just over 15 years ago, it seemed that paper charts were completely impervious to the relentless technological evolution that was taking place around the globe and in the shipping industry. Paper charts were essentially untouchable and irreplaceable mostly due to the fact that seafarers are strict creatures of habit. Given the need for optimal expediency, convenience, and accuracy when navigating oceanic voyages, however, the move to paperless navigation of ships seemed inevitable. Enter the use of the state-of-the-art electronic chart display and information system (ECDIS), which has dominated the industry over the past few years.

Advanced Marines computers, monitors, and displays require high resolutions, quick response times, and other important features that can only be offered by the ECDIS. 

Here are some of the benefits of having this dynamic technology aboard your ship for your next minor or major mission.

Availability and Quick Adjustability

Although Marines operations and voyages are well planned and thoroughly mapped out, sometimes new circumstances can develop unexpectedly. Paper chart navigation systems required Second Mates on ships to address chart catalogues that would sometimes arrive at the last minute. If the chart catalogues arrived late, then the entire mission would be delayed or potentially compromised. 

Paperless navigation of ships allows Second Mates to use a digital voyage planner to roughly plot out the course of the ship and make necessary changes along the way. Paper chart requests are quickly emailed by the Master to the chart supplier, at which point activation codes will be provided within minutes.

Speed and Accuracy

Switching to ECDIS navigation allows for greater speed and accuracy when mapping out a Marines mission. The voyage planner can automatically input waypoints into the system using an excel document. Those waypoints are then incorporated into various data reports such as Distance Covered, Distance to Go, and Average Speed without having to manually enter it in.

Navigational Efficiency

Traditional paper charts take a great deal of time and effort to plan, create, and coordinate with the rest of the crew members. Paperless navigation of ships using ECDIS essentially eliminates the need to implement chart corrections while the voyage is in progress.

Chart corrections are a meticulous task that requires the utmost precision and can take up a great deal of time. With ECDIS, course updates can be made and uploaded into the system immediately and as often as necessary. The margin for error is greater because of the availability of this technology.

Real-Time Alerts and Safety Features

ECDIS allows vessel positions and voyages to be tracked in real-time, so that enhanced safety features can be used to immediately alert crew members of potential threats such as choppy waters, incoming storms, and other dangerous events.

Nauticomp Inc. is the single largest and most reputable supplier of high-tech reliable Marines LCD displays in North America. Visit our website or contact us today to learn about our Marines displays, computers, monitors, and other devices. 

Is Your Military Display in Compliance with Environmental Standards?

Posted on: June 7, 2021

Military Display in Compliance with Environmental StandardsCustom military LCD displays should be equipped to handle all kinds of environmental elements that Mother Nature has to offer. After all, military applications typically require a great deal of outdoor time dealing directly with natural elements like sandstorms, heavy winds, rain, snow, sleet, and extreme temperatures. Military personnel can’t control the type of climate they’re exposed to, so it’s important to have reliable and durable equipment that can withstand virtually any type of operational conditions, especially when going on covert missions in remote locations.

When the time comes to invest in new displays or upgrade components of existing ones, it’s important to consider what specific features are most suitable for the military operations at hand.

Durability, versatility, and flexibility are obviously top priority—especially when embarking on long-term missions in top secret locations. To ensure that your troops are getting the most out of their devices, you have to choose a brand and make that you trust.

Why Your Military Display Should Be Compatible with Environmental Standards

Environmental standards for military displays typically adhere to MIL-STD, also known as MIL-SPEC or MilSpecs. This is the standard of defense in the United States and all military LCD displays and monitors must comply with it in order to be deemed operational and fit to be used in the line of duty or on certain missions that entail exposure to harsh environmental conditions.

Factors to Consider when Choosing a Military Display That Can Withstand Different Environmental Conditions

Thorough planning and preparation is the key to achieving a successful military mission. Knowing the objectives of the mission inside and out is also extremely important as this will play a significant role in determining the types of features that your operation requires. Once you’ve determined the types of LCD display and monitor features you require, you can obtain the proper equipment to meet the environmental standards of your mission.

Here are some common military display and monitor features to consider for various applications.

Temperature Conditions and Fluctuations

Military life can take you to some truly remote and sometimes exotic destinations all over the world. That’s not to make it sound like a vacation, but it’s just a part of the job. Depending on where you’re stationed, temperatures can range from extreme heat to extreme cold. In some cases, severe temperature fluctuations can occur on a daily basis. As a result, you need to make sure you’re well equipped with military LCD displays that are designed to handle all kinds of extreme temperature and weather conditions without hindering performance levels.

Moisture and Debris

High moisture levels and debris are common elements that many military personnel are forced to contend with on a daily basis while on specific missions. High moisture levels and debris present a great deal of operational challenges for electronic devices under these circumstances. As a result, military-grade LCD displays need to be designed to handle condensation, rain, and high humidity levels as well as exposure to dust and sand to ensure the success of the mission without any delays.

Make sure your device has a minimum IP67 rating as this indicates its ability to withstand long periods of water and dust exposure.

Performance Capabilities

Military operations require high performance standards from their LCD devices and monitors. That typically includes an exceptionally long battery life, sunlight readability in extremely bright conditions, brightness adjustability in dark conditions, data interpretation, communication standards, and shock resistance, and so much more.

Specific performance capability standards of your devices depend on the nuances of your mission, so it’s important to have a full understanding of your needs when selecting devices.

Extreme Shock and Constant Vibrations

Military operations and missions can often entail particularly stressful situations in unsafe environments. Devices must be able to sustain high levels of stress, shock, and vibrations to ensure the success of the mission. Device failures or malfunctions in these types of high-stress situations could lead to communication breakdowns and security breaches that could jeopardize the entire mission. As a result, military LCD devices and monitors must be built to be shock- and vibration-resistant under all circumstances.

Multiple Power Input Options

One of the main challenges of working on a remote military mission is finding adequate power input options and supplies for your devices. Hence, military LCD displays and monitors need to be equipped with long-lasting, low power consumption options that continuously support high performance capabilities at all times. Power fluctuations such as over and under-voltage, short circuiting, load dumps, and reverse polarity can also pose potentially serious and difficult obstacles for your military mission. Devices with multiple power input options can overcome and even avoid these challenges.

Electromagnetic Interference

Also known as radiofrequency interference, electromagnetic interference (EMI) is classified as a system malfunction as a result of a disturbance or blockage by an external source. High-efficiency state-of-the-art military LCD displays should be able to counteract and prevent the effects of EMI by actively controlling the amount of interference caused by often unidentified radiofrequencies in their general vicinity. EMIs don’t just disrupt your military mission, but they can also lead to serious data and security breaches that compromise the covert positions of military personnel and leak important information to opposing parties.

Look for a Reputable Manufacturer

Choose a highly reputable and responsive manufacturer that specializes in designing and distributing state-of-the-art military-grade electronic devices. That way, you can have peace of mind in knowing that you’re getting high-quality devices that meet your needs. Consider their customer service capabilities as well. You’ll want to partner with a manufacturer that’s easy to get a hold of, answers all of your questions in a timely manner, and provides you with additional support when you need it.

When military operations in the United States and Canada are in need of high-quality, durable, and dependable military LCD displays and monitors, there’s only one name they trust: Nauticomp Inc. We design and manufacture custom military displays that are capable of meeting your every need and withstanding a wide range of environmental elements and standards. Contact us today to learn more or to place your order.