SmartDock® PILOT GPS
Portable Pilot Unit for Ultra Precise Approach and Docking Manoeuvres
Trelleborg Harbour Marine's SmartDock® PILOT range has been developed to offer GPS-based vessel positioning data during critical jetty approach, maneuvering and berthing stages of vessel piloting where our SmartDock® DAS is not appropriate. Various levels of positioning accuracy are available to suit the application.
The technology is designed to be portable and set up on the vessel takes only a few minutes, following which the pilot has access to ultra-precise navigation data. Applications include:
- Vessel piloting / navigation
- Vessel route planning during final approach to a jetty or offshore facility
- Vessel push up and berthing operations (typically where lasers cannot be used)
- Ship-to-ship manoeuvring and berthing
- FPSO/SPM offshore mooring operations
- Ferry operations
The SmartDock® PILOT system contains a Personal Piloting Unit (PPU) with laptop and advanced software, which provide graphical display of vessel location either on an electronic, scalable map or as relative positions in ship-to-ship application. During operation, the SmartDock® PILOT PPU communicates to the laptop via Wireless LAN.
The SmartDock® PILOT PPU is customised to house the GPS antennas with magnet mount and cables, Pilot laptop with charger along with accessories like universal power connectors and AC Cable extension.
To meet the demands of navigating and docking large vessels, the measurement of low speeds, precise heading and Rate of Turn is of utmost importance to the pilot. SmartDock® PILOT derives these measurements using "state of the art" GPS and Rate of Turn Sensors integrated via advanced mathematical filters.
SmartDock® PILOT Features
- Independent system more accurate then ship-installed gyros, ROT sensors, and speed logs.
- For maximum efficiency and safety during challenging jetty manoeuvres and navigating in confined and tidal waters.
- Installed and operational within only a few minutes.
- AIS and VTS traffic image available via wireless AIS and broadband internet connections.
- Utilises software specifically developed for the application: SmartDock® for approach and berthing; Qastor for piloting.
A Range of Applications
Within the SmartDock® PILOT range there are two product series: "X" and "G". Both share the similar portability, designed for severe marine environments incorporating IP rated wireless transponders. The difference is the accuracy and reliability of the positioning equipment and it is therefore important to fully understand the application of the system in the real world.
¹ Realtime No lag or latency ² Accuracy based on 2 sigma RMS value, post filtered ie some lag; typical realtime is :± 5cm/sec ³ Subject to application |
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| Typical Performance³ | SmartDock® PILOT-X | SmartDock® PILOT-G |
|---|---|---|
| Position Accuracy | 1-2cm | 0.9m DGPS |
| Vertical Accuracy | 2-3cm | 1.5m DGPS |
| Speed | ±1cm/sec (0.02kn) ¹ | ±5cm/sec (0.1kn) ² |
| Heading | ±0.05º | ±0.2º |
| Rate of Turn | ±0.1º/min | ±1.0º/min |
| Weight | 12kg | 11kg |
| Battery Life | 12h | 20h |
| GPS System | L1, L2 & Glonass RTK | L1 Only |
| Fibre Optic Rate of Turn Sensor | Yes | No |
| Advanced Kalman Filter | Yes | Yes |
| Reliability | Best | Good |
| Availability | Best | Good |
| Corrections | Local | SBAS/Local |
| Recommended Application | SmartDock® PILOT-X | SmartDock® PILOT-G |
|---|---|---|
| Navigation | Yes | Yes |
| Jetty Approach in Harbour | Yes | Yes with limitations |
| Docking | Yes | Not Suitable for Accurate Docking |
The data provided by the SmartDock® PILOT system is completely independent from the ship instruments. Pilots are therefore more familiar with this system when in everyday use and are less reliant on the ships equipment, which may not be accurately calibrated.
SmartDock® PILOT receives navigation data at the pilot laptop via a wireless LAN connection. Therefore because the laptop is self-contained and portable, the pilot has access to this navigation data all over the bridge.
SmartDock® PILOT software for ship-to-ship and offshore facility berthing
