Our eyes are the first line of defence against these hazards, as they are not the best detectors at night or in bad weather. Any accident at sea does not only have severe consequences for the vessel but also for its passengers and crew. A number of tools are available to help us detect potential dangers before they become a real hazard.

Thermal imaging: an excellent tool to help you see at night
One of these tools is thermal imaging. Thermal imaging is the use of an infrared camera to “see” thermal energy emitted from an object. Infrared energy can not be detected by the eye because the energy of the photons is too low to stimulate the photoreceptors in the eye. Also, IR light does not get to the retina, because it is highly absorbed by the eye’s lens and fluids. Infrared allows us to see what our eyes cannot - invisible heat radiation emitted by all objects regardless of lighting conditions. Thermal imaging cameras produce images of invisible infrared or “heat” radiation. Based on temperature differences between objects, thermal imaging produces a clear image.

Thermal imagers are very effective in marine environments. They can detect objects floating in the water which may damage a vessel or even sink it. Other vessels, shipping lane traffic, buoys, bridges, etc. are all easily detected by thermal imaging.

Although there are other technologies available for helping you to navigate during the night and to help you prevent catastrophes, thermal imaging either outperforms them, has some advantages over them or can complement them.

Navigation lights
The oldest anti-collision systems on ships are lights. In ancient times, sailors would maintain small fires on deck in order to be spotted by other vessels. Later these fires were replaced by electrical navigation lights.

Several types of lights serve as navigational aids at night. But even when all boats have proper lighting, it’s very difficult to judge bearings and closure rates. But when boats have improper lighting, like a lot of them do, you don’t really have a chance of avoiding an accident. Navigation lights also become less useful when fog or rain is obstructing your view. You might see an approaching vessel too late which can lead to lethal accidents.

Thermal imaging can see through light fog and haze. Although the distance a thermal imager can see is also obstructed by light fog and haze, it will give you a clear warning of an approaching vessel, in all weather conditions.

Visualize RADAR blips
RADAR (RAdio Detection And Ranging) is a system that uses reflected radio waves to determine and map the location, direction, and/or speed of both moving and fixed objects. The first commercial RADAR systems were developed during the 1940’s and today they are installed on practically every yacht.

The limitation of RADAR is that it only gives you a small blip on the screen when it is detecting an object. A thermal imager will give you a real image of the situation. This will help you to determine whether a certain object is a real danger or not.

Another limitation is that RADAR systems fail to pick up small objects. However, even objects that cannot be detected by a RADAR system, such as sail boats, wooden boats and floating debris can cause massive damage to your vessel.

Light amplification
Light amplification, also referred to as I2 technology, amplifies small amounts of visible light thousands of times so that objects can be seen at night. These systems scan an area and amplify the available ambient light to produce an image. Light amplification does require a certain level of ambient light, but even starlight can produce an image on a cloudless night. A high-end image intensified camera can produce outstanding images on a clear moonlit night.

Because the system requires at least a minimum level of ambient light, conditions such as heavy overcast can limit its effectiveness. Similarly, too much light may overwhelm the system and reduce its effectiveness. Imagine yourself navigating in a harbour with the lights of the marina, or the skyline of a city, in the background. These lights will also be amplified and you will be totally blinded.

Contrary to light amplification systems, thermal imaging works by detecting the heat energy being radiated. It needs no light at all and produces a clear image in the darkest environments.

Low-lux cameras
The light requirements to produce an image are measured in lux. The lux is the rating for how well the camera sees in low lighting conditions. The smaller the number, the less light the camera needs to produce an image and the better the ability to see in the dark. Low-lux cameras provide an image in an environment that is too bright for light intensification equipment but still restricted by darkness. But do not assume that if it is pitch black you can still see well with a low lux camera.

Contrary to a thermal imaging camera, a low lux camera will not produce an image in total darkness. Thermal imaging systems sometimes combine one or more thermal imaging cameras with a low lux camera. This gives you the ability to see during day-light and low-light conditions.

Thermal imaging: more than just night time navigation
Thermal imagers are excellent tools for short to medium range threat detection. Today, more than ever, shipboard security is important. Thermal imaging allows you to see what is around you, even at long ranges. You can monitor activity in port or at anchor and see approaching vessels or people without alerting them that they are being watched.

Each year, people die after falling overboard and not being found fast enough. Finding a person that has fallen overboard within the shortest possible time-frame is of the utmost importance. Not only can the person float away from the vessel but hypothermia is an important factor to take into account. Thermal imaging can help find a person in the water before it is too late.

Thermal cameras also work during the day and give users the ability to see through marine haze more effectively than with the unaided eye. It is not affected by glare from the sun. Thermal imaging allows you to see through the glare, and detect possible obstacles, when navigating during sunrise or sunset.