The earth’s Polar Regions are considered by many seafarers to be among the most challenging environments in the world. 

The combination of extremely long nights, harsh weather and icebergs can make a trip through Arctic and Antarctic waters dangerous. Nowadays these trips can be made safer by using a thermal imaging camera from FLIR Systems to find the safest path through the ice.

The narrow beam of the searchlight needs to be pointed directly at this bergy bit to illuminate it while these bergy bits show up clearly on these thermal images.

The FLIR technical note (please click here) explains how thermal cameras can be employed to complement radar technology for ice detection.

A  field test was run by FLIR on a ship in Greenland’s ice filled waters. Its success proves that thermal imaging cameras are capable of detecting ice in total darkness and even during snowfall.

The value of being able to detect small vessels approaching in any weather conditions, and automatically identify potentially hostile behaviour, is highlighted by a report of piracy in 2011's first edition of 'Maritime Feedback' (issue 28), a newsletter from CHIRP*

SharpEye^TM can detect small pirate craft much better than conventional marine radar.        

Picture courtesy of Eunavfor.

"Thick low clouds and rain may provide a hiding place for pirate craft," warns a CHIRP report about an incident in the South China Sea. While passing the Anamabas Archipeligo in the middle of the night, an officer of the watch noticed two small unidentified targets on the radar, and thick low clouds forming and developing in their direction. The targets became lost in rain clutter. Some time later he received a distress call from a tanker in the vicinity advising that it had been boarded by pirates.

The 'lesson learned' was that a careful radar watch should be kept on areas of thick low clouds and rain, adjusting range and rain clutter accordingly, the watchkeeper concluded. "While this is good advice, the truth is that, in these conditions, most commercial marine radars will struggle to detect the type of small craft favoured by pirates," said Spike Hughes, Kelvin Hughes' Commercial Business Director "However, not all radars are the same. Our SharpEye^TM solid state technology is exceptionally effective in detecting small targets, especially in high levels of rain and sea clutter and can prove a valuable tool in the early detection of pirates.

Comparison of Magnetron vs SharpEye^TM radar in heavy rain.

 "Furthermore, SharpEye^TM can help to take the strain off radar watchkeepers by automatically alerting them to craft displaying hostile behaviour patterns. Pirates typically use boats with very small radar cross-sections and approach their intended victims on a direct track, most often from astern and frequently at night.

SharpEye's optional doppler processing means it can extract targets showing certain velocity characteristics. The detection process is completely autonomous of the display system and can be used to drive a MantaDigital display's second PPI. All targets meeting the velocity filter characteristics will be displayed, with a warning/alarm if required.

SharpEye^TM provides better detection of small targets than a conventional magnetron radar both because of its improved performance in clutter and by using doppler processing. These two factors combine to provide SharpEye with the best possible threat detection, approaching that of multi-million-dollar military systems, and gives a ship time to take appropriate counter-measures."

 * Confidential Hazardous Incident Reporting Programme (www.chirp.co.uk)