SmartDock Docking Aid System

The primary benefit of the SmartDock Docking Aid

System or DAS is the provision of real time data of the
vessels position and progress relative to the jetty by
measuring distance from the jetty and speed of approach in
the critical 0 to 200 meters zone. With this data the vessels
Master and Pilot can better direct tug and shipboard
personnel in the safe maneuvering of the vessel towards
the jetty and minimize any potential for damage to the berth
or ship.

Typically, two sensors are located on the jetty

measuring distance to bow and stern sections
of the ship. This together with average speed
are captured at the jetty control unit and
displayed to the ship and mooring crew on
wireless monitor, computer screen or jetty
mounted display board, as required. Earlier
systems used radar sensors, however today
laser sensors are the most reliable technology
employed for vessel docking and operate very
effectively in poor visibility and heavy rain. They
are certified for Class 1 Zone 1 hazardous
locations and are eye-safe to FDA Class 1, the
safest class.

Laser Sensor

Harbour & Marines SmartDock DAS employs

the latest hardware and instrumentation
technology in a package available either as a
stand-alone system or for integrating with
mooring load monitoring and environmental
sensing (see I-Smart Integrated Vessel
Monitoring Systems).

The basic SmartDock system

comprises:
Two jetty mounted laser sensors
which may be fixed on the jetty head or
provided on elevators. Single phase
power supply is required to each sensor
and communications cabling
interconnects each with the monitoring
unit which is usually located within the
control room
Computer workstation to monitor,
display and record information of the
control room.

Handheld monitor, certified intrinsically

safe, provides constant update of
docking information to mooring/
shipboard personnel.
Optional large jetty mounted display
board visible from the vessels bridge to
display speed of approach, distance from
jetty and optional angle.
Speed warning indication lights may
be totally independent or integral with the
large display board.
Optional jetty remote indicator
displays basic docking information locally.

SmartDock DAS Screen

Docking speed, distance and angle is captured
and displayed for the jetty operator and the
vessels Master or Pilot.
Docking information is continuously recorded
allowing hard docking events to be analysed
should jetty, fenders or the vessel hull sustain
damage.
Following docking, system provides warning in
case of vessel drift from fenders.

Vessel drift-warning monitoring

Following mooring of the vessel, the docking
system can be switched to driftwarning mode.
Should the vessel drift from the fenders over a
predetermined distance, appropriate alarms
will be raised to notify both jetty and vessel
based personnel.

Elevators for docking sensors

For jetties subject to large variation in tide and
vessel hull profiles, Harbour & Marine have
developed an elevator which allows the
docking sensor to adjust its elevation as the
tide level changes so that the vessels hull can
be detected during docking and later for driftoff monitoring. The elevator has no
submerged components.

Harbour & Marine will design the most cost effective docking system using our SmartDock
approach to suit either new or existing jetties. We can also recommend optimum:
Location, separation and elevation of sensors for the range of vessels to be monitored.
Location and orientation of the jetty mounted display board considering the range of
vessels and their bridge elevation.
Operating system to suit the particular requirements, which may be freestanding or
integrated.

Handheld monitor
Displays vessel speed, distance and angle and can also
receive load monitoring and environmental information from
the Harbour & Marine integrated system.
Provides speed warnings with audible or vibrating alarm.
May be taken on board the vessel by the pilot.
Displays data which is updated automatically without needing
to continuously press buttons to view information.
Intrinsically safe for use in hazardous locations.

SmartDock Software Features

Docking screens are designed to provide maximum
visual impact, essential during docking operations.
Operators can quickly view the vessel approach speed
and distance.
Bold distance and speed indicators with color-coded
alarm status provide instant warning of speed violations.
Speed alarms are zoned into bands at varying
approach distances.
Docking Approach graph shows vessel approach speed
and distance.
Reports can be generated from the vessel history or by
date and time.
Report criteria is user selectable
Reports can be previewed on screen prior to printing.

Copyright 2001-2002 Harbour & Marine Engineering Pty Ltd

Handheld Monitor