StormGeo, provider of meteorological services, has launched the latest version of its onboard software, Bon Voyage System 8 (BVS 8). The company gathered feedback from current users to develop the system in line with captains’ needs, helping them to make the right decisions during a voyage.
“The focus of BVS 8 has been all about improved functionality from a safety and efficiency standpoint, while adding features that make the use of the system easier and more integrated with the bridge,” said Michael O’Brien, StormGeo Shipping VP of Product & Business Development. “BVS 8, through the use of the National Marine Electronics Association (NMEA) standard, allows for position input directly into the BVS track from the GPS. This track file can be shared with shore-side interests allowing for near real-time track and position evaluation. This process automates the position input process ensuring the most accurate dead reckoning of the vessel, providing an improved forecast and more accurate ETA.”
When connected to the ship’s GPS, BVS 8 conducts position polling at defined intervals. This provides optimal shore-based decision support. The ship’s BVS track can be forwarded from the master to their shore-based operations for display in StormGeo’s Fleet Decision Support System.
The company notes that the system’s seakeeping module uses weather forecasts and ship design to predict a vessel’s seakeeping characteristics, allowing for more comprehensive route planning and voyage optimization. The motion sensor and the ship specific curves will provide data on vessel dynamics and the sea state. The anemometer integration, through a series of advanced calculations, will determine the wind wave component and swell component of the sea state.
In addition, BVS 8 provides recent weather and ocean data to the ship by broadband or email communications in a highly compressed format to minimize communication costs. This data generates color-enhanced maps and graphics that allow the ship’s captain to easily view and interpret potential problem areas in advance.
Source & Image credit: StormGeo
