Integrated Bridge Designed lor Safety, Productivity
The integrated bridge concept has steadily gained support among shipowners and operators, a group forced to pay closer attention to safety matters as a result of high-profile losses and international regulations. In fact, some industry estimates claim that 70 percent of new construction features a system classified as an integrated bridge, and that number is expected to increase.
Top manufacturers of the integrated bridge systems include Sperry, Racal Decca, STN Atlas Elektronik, Kelvin Hughes, and now Raytheon, following its acquisition of Anschiitz. In fact, a driving factor in Raytheon's bid to buy Anschiitz was gaining the integrated bridge capability.
"Our biggest lack of product was in the integrated bridge navigation system. The majority of new construction is requiring one or maybe two suppliers to provide a complete navigation/communication package. Realizing that we wanted to have such a product, and realizing that the Anschiitz product was available, the decision was made to make the investment," said Bob Schwartz, marketing manager commercial programs, Raytheon, in an interview with Maritime Reporter & Engineering News earlier this year. Each manufacturer has carved its own marketing niche, but in general each is seeking to be a singlesystem supplier, and much effort has been expended spreading the word about ease-of-installation benefits for the yards, and safety and quality benefits for the owners. Vision 2100 Designed to meet the stringent requirements of shipowners and builders, the Vision 2100 from Sperry is a line of bridge console configurations which are available in three levels of modularity: Stand Alone Cabinets; Console Modules; and NavDECK.
Vision 2100 NavDECKis the complete bridge module, ready for dropin installation. The system is reported by Sperry as helping to reduce bridge construction time and saving the designer and builder time and money. The system is factory wired and tested, with central hookup and power distribution. The company assumes turn-key bridge responsibilities from design conception to sea trials. The Voyage Management System VT is perhaps the true revolution behind the system. The second generation system is reportedly user friendly and uses open architecture industry standard hardware and Microsoft's Windows NT operating system. Aesthetically, the system is of a modern design and pleasant to look at — a factor when selling to the image-oriented cruise industry.
Ship Control Center nications and main control opera- The Ship Control Center (SCC) tions as a single source package system from STN Atlas Elektronik solution. It is ergonomically deintegrates all navigation, commu- signed and uses standardized modules and interfaces. The SCC system is available in three basic versions: SCC Standard; SCC Nav; and SCC Wl.
All three versions incorporate a full range of Debeg internal and external GMDSS-type communications facilities. Overall continuous monitoring and control of the system is provii for all ship management, safety and cargo conl operations. The SCC-W1 version with the Co pit-M Design (one-man bridge), according to the manufacturer, corresponds to the most stringe requirements regarding integration and safety the ship. It is intended for the most sophisticat maritime projects.
MIRANS Racal-Decca made a significant new develop ment in marine electronics when it made big ship integrated bridge systems available for smaller ships, via its new MIRANS 1000 and 2000 systems. The new MIRANS (Modulates Integrated Radar and Navigation System) mod els are designed for any vessel that required sophisticated electronics, but lacks the space to accommodate big ship systems. MIRANS 2000 is a system which features a ChartMaster electronic chart module, complete with a 20-in. high resolution screen.
MIRANS 1000 is an integrated bridge system with a MapMaster module. This differs from ChartMaster in that, when used in conjunction with a chart digitizing table, it enables the user to draw his or her own electronic map.
NINAS 2 Kelvin Hughes's contribution to the integrated bridge market is the NINAS 2 (Nucleus Integrated Navigation System), which monitors and automatically controls an array of navigational systems and functions.
Radio Holland U.S.A. supplies the system in the U.S., and reports that its popularity continues to grow. To date there are more than 30 ships, of various types, that have been fitted, with several more to come on line in the next few months. One of the most recent successes was the replacement of existing bridge equipment on the QE2. The scope of supply included the following integrated equipment: electronic chart display and information system (suitable for raster charts as well as for DX-90 charts when they become available); two "ECTAB" electronic chart tables, complete with Yeoman puck; NINAS nucleus integrated navigation system display; and three Nucleus color ARPA displays.
