Next-Generation Seajack Alarm Developed
July 1, 2003
NYK and its affiliate NYK Logistics Techonology Institute (NYKLTI) have jointly developed a next-generation vessel emergency alarmtentatively named the "Seajack Alarm".
The new device is designed to enhance the alarm function of the Fleet Remote Monitoring System (FROM), a system for monitoring ship movements developed by NYKLTI, that has already been put to practical use. The Seajack Alarm satisfies the requisites of the Ship Security Alert System (SSAS), which is currently under study by the Maritime Safety Committee of the International Maritime Organization (IMO). NYK formally proposed the adoption of the new alarm system at the 77th meeting of the committee held in London On May 29.
The new device enables crew to issue an alarm from a ship by remote control using a different communication channel from that used by FROM. Subsequently, it radios the location of the ship at hourly intervals.
A ship equipped with the new device will be able to issue an alarm even if pirates or terrorists destroy the ship's location monitoring system or cut off the power. Tests have confirmed that it can notify occurrence of an incident to any location in the world within about 90 minutes.
The Seajack Alarm is slated to be commercialized from around March 2004.