Advanced navigation systems for special purpose vessels
Ships designed for operation under the harshest environmental conditions and within a safety-sensitive environment require robust sensors and advanced navigation systems. Crews must be able to concentrate on their demanding tasks and rely on the highest accuracy, safe manoeuvring and supporting system functions.
Special purpose vessels include offshore and wind farm support vessels, research vessels, icebreakers, workboats, dredgers, heavy lift vessels and fishery ships. Anschütz has decades of experience in delivering products to offshore and research vessels that navigate in adverse conditions and high latitudes.
All our products are IMO-compliant and use standardised, sustainable hardware. We are constantly developing functions to fulfil current and future requirements. Our global network is ready to offer immediate technical support and spare parts at any time or place.
Our navigation systems support the demanding work at sea - wherever and in whatever conditions - with the highest levels of quality, accuracy and reliability.
Workboats and other special purpose vessels have been using Anschütz heading sensors and autopilots for decades. Highest reliability and precision are important when working at sea. At the same time, our products and systems are IMO-compliant and fulfil all regulations without compromise, even demanding class notations.
Our gyrocompasses are the first choice for ships working in demanding conditions. Anschütz gyrocompasses are highly precise and extremely resistant to external influences thanks to their robust, unique design. The level of quality as well as intelligent monitoring functions and redundancies when installed as part of a heading management system ensure the continuous, safe operation of downstream systems, e.g. dynamic positioning systems. In addition to a mechanical compass, Anschütz also offers a maintenance-free gyrocompass based on hemispherical resonator gyros.
Besides the reliable availability and accuracy of information while navigating or working in remote or safety-sensitive sea areas, monitoring the ship's environment is also crucial to ensure the safety of the crew and vessel. Integrated bridge systems (IBSs) by Anschütz feature multifunctional workstations that present a precise overview of the vessel, the system‘s health and the maritime environment. Intelligent functions automate routine tasks and allow the navigator to focus on relevant situations with less stress and distraction.
The workstations also enable the same data and functions to exist on any other command position on the vessel. If required, additional sensors and systems (specialised radars, dynamic positioning systems, camera systems, etc.) can be integrated and linked to the same workstations. While the systems on board enable networking with participants on land and promote the exchange of data, cybersecurity measures ensure the operational safety and integrity of the bridge system.
New, customised ECDIS functions that improve situational awareness and make work onboard these vessels more efficient and even safer are available. They include area alerts (geo object events) that enable, for example, offshore, offshore wind and fishery control vessels to watch a certain sea area. The surveilled sea area can be freely defined and even complex rules can be set in place to generate alerts. Other functions include support for helicopter, drone or workboat operations as well as search and rescue features.
Anschütz offers a proven autopilot system that is tailor-made for workboats and fisheries. Built on a compact hardware with a large touchscreen, it combines the high precision known from Anschütz steering algorithms with easy operation. Features include a NAV mode for waypoint steering, a fix-turn mode, a trim mode and thruster control. Tillers can be connected to form a compact yet efficient steering gear control system.
Anschütz is currently deploying autonomous ship technologies in various applications across several projects. Autonomous ships can be used, for example, to fulfil tasks in dangerous or remote areas or for remote sensing and more efficient research. In addition to the technical possibilities of remote control, research into high-performance data transmission and networking between ships and shore stations also plays a role. In the future, this has the potential to optimise both the collection of data in research contexts as well as the efficient surveillance and protection of offshore assets.
Our products and systems are easy to handle for integrators and shipyards as they consist of standard and sustainable marine hardware, standard network components and modular software. Our technology significantly reduces complexity and is less error-prone and less expensive, from the first installation throughout the entire service life. The Anschütz Group and a global network of service partners are ready to support a competent installation, and offer customers services and spare part during operations.
We have extensive experience and capabilities in the design and engineering of customised systems and functions in case these become necessary. We realise outstanding and individually sophisticated integrated bridge systems for customers in the field of offshore vessels, research vessels and other special purpose vessels. We are constantly developing functions to fulfil current and future requirements. Customers value our high level of expertise in technology and applications as well as our performance in terms of quality, delivery time and budget.
