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MT BB100 Marine Satellite Antenna Receives Brazilian Anatel Approval
Marine Technologies (MT) is pleased to announce that its third generation BB100 marine-stabilized satellite antenna has been approved for use in Brazilian waters by the Brazilian federal communication agency, Anatel.
Marine Technologies joins the ranks of Seatel, Orbit and Schlumberger as one of just four manufacturers in the world to receive the coveted approval for use of one-meter class marine-stabilized satellite antennas in Brazilian waters. At least six other manufacturers of similar antennas have failed to meet approval.
The endorsement by Anatel was accomplished in record time and on the first attempt. MT's BB100 antenna is the only two-axis antenna on the market to achieve this status.
"Achieving Anatel certification means that this antenna is one of the best one-meter antennas in the world," stated Federico Zarghetta, MT antenna design engineer. "We can now ask for type approval from any satellite operator on the planet without limitations on transmit power."
The MT BB100, with its carbon fiber reflector and structure, is the lightest one-meter antenna available, weighing in at 55 kg (121 lb). Not only is the antenna easy to install, but it also boasts the simplest mechanical design of all one-meter antennas. The BB100's advanced inertial measurement unit and navigational computer are state of the art and micro in size compared to its competitors. Its antenna remote control unit incorporates Commercially available Off-The-Shelf (COTS) components with a user-friendly interface requiring no custom software. If you can use a web browser, you already know how to use the BB100 control system interface. The BB100 will be installed on all Edison Chouest Offshore vessels bound for Brazilian waters.
Click here to download the brochure.
MT Delivers IBS for Royal Huisman's First Flybridge Sailing Yacht
When Royal Huisman was contracted to design and build a high-performance sailing yacht with all the comforts and amenities of a motoryacht, they knew they had embarked on something truly special. The owners knew exactly what they wanted from what would be Royal Huisman's first flybridge sailing yacht, especially when it came to design and onboard technologies. Radio Holland was contracted to deliver the 189-foot (57.5 m) vessel's navigation and communication package. When designing the bridge system, the owners decided to use multi-function workstations with all applications installed locally on each workstation instead of via the standard server-client arrangement. This unusual arrangment was chosen to improve reliability while saving space as much less hardware is required. Radio Holland was contracted to deliver the navigation and communication package for the vessel. 
Radio Holland then contacted Marine Technologies with an offer to collaborate on this special project. MT was chosen because they are the only company that can deliver an architecture based on "multi-masters" for their bridge systems. MT's role in the partnership was to supply the core system and oversee the integration of the system. Radio Holland supplied the monitors, glass panels and all sensors and reference systems, with the exception of the radar transceivers.
Marine Technologies customized a conning display with three different pages - autopilot, dynamic positioning (DP) and track steering. The display also indicates the position of the vessel's centreboard as well as standard applications including ARPA radar and ECDIS. An automation system controlling the onboard entertainment and CCTV systems from Royal Huisman was also integrated.
MT also provided a DP system, enabling the vessel to maintain a given position and/or heading. The DP system allows the vessel operator to follow a pre-defined track or elegantly dock the vessel with the use of a simple joystick or a pre-programmed approach. The dynamic positioning application is integrated into the IBS and available on eight workstations, offering a highly redundant solution and alleviating the need for an additional stand-alone workstation.
In addition, a DNV-approved heading control system (HCS) was installed, enabling operation of the autopilot and track control from all workstations. The HCS provides much more detailed information than a traditional autopilot, including status of propellers, thrusters and rudders; along-ship and athward speed; and data from gyros, anemometers and DGPSs. The system also allows the user to set alarms for these readings.
MT is currently outfitting a 220-foot (67 m) motoryacht at Feadships De Vries shipyard in the Netherlands.
Bridge Mate Total Thruster Control System
Marine Technologies has developed a total Thruster Control System based upon the well-proven DP technology both for software and hardware:
- Triple redundant controller unit and operator stations
- Interface unit consists of independent stand alone units that interface various types of propellers, thrusters and rudders
- Interface units can be placed close to equipment to be interfaced and connected to a dual redundant network