Keep an Eye on Your Boat from Anywhere
How Remote Monitoring Gives Kiwi Boat Owners Peace of Mind
Picture this. You're boating around Waiheke and decide to pop onshore to visit a local winery. On return (to your horror), your boat has slipped anchor and has drifted perilously close to rocks.
Or maybe your boat has been moored at the marina for the last few weeks. You jump on board, ready for a fun weekend on the water, only to find the shore power has failed, the back-up batteries are flat and all the food (and worse, bait) in your fridge-freezer has defrosted – leaving a truly horrible stench!
You'd be surprised at how often issues like this happen to unsuspecting Kiwi boaties. (And let's not mention the sinking feeling when a bilge pump fails…ouch).
Thankfully, there is now some pretty smart tech that gives boat owners convenience, safety and peace of mind – without actually being on your boat.
Remote Monitoring and Control Systems
Remote connection solutions like Garmin's OnDeck Hub, when paired with the ActiveCaptain app, allows boat owners to keep tabs on their vessels from virtually anywhere, thanks to real-time updates and text alerts. Whether you're at home, at work, or the Waiheke winery, you'll always be in the loop regarding your boat's status.
Some Common Features
Real-Time Updates
Get instant notifications about your boat's location, battery status, bilge pump activity and more. Plus you can add cameras and get real-time video to your phone.Text Alerts
Receive immediate alerts for critical issues such as security/unauthorised entry, high water levels, or low battery voltage.Remote Control Capabilities
Remotely control various systems on your boat, including lights, air conditioning, and even the engine.
Genuine Peace of Mind
One of the biggest benefits of remote monitoring and control systems is the peace of mind they provide. Owning a boat is a serious investment and a source of great joy and relaxation. But when things go wrong, it can also be a source of stress and anxiety, particularly when you can't be there in person to make sure everything is in order.
Solutions to Suit Your Budget
Like most things tech, there is a wide spectrum of features available across different models and brands. For example:
A top-of-the-line solution like Raymarine's Yacht Sense system will set you back around $3,000, and will let you expand beyond monitoring into a fully remote control system.
Garmin's OnDeck Hub, sits around $1,649, and is an excellent all-rounder that offers fantastic value for a fully integrated remote connectivity system.
While SmartSwitch provides simple text alerts for tank, battery, fire control, alarms, bilge and toilet systems.
Garmin OnDeck™ Hub
24 hour remote protection.
Remote monitoring and control systems are changing the way Kiwi’s keep their boat in tip-top working order. Now, there’s no need to worry about your boat slipping anchor or your batteries running flat while you're away. With real-time updates, text alerts, and remote control capabilities, you can monitor your boat from anywhere – making sure your investment is always protected.
Take your boating to the next level.
To discover how remote monitoring and control systems can give you the peace of mind, contact the HMB Marine Electrical team today.
Sounds Survivor: Restoring a Sunken Treasure
When Michael Jacomb purchased the Swedish-built Paragon 25 sailboat, he knew he had his work cut out for him. The boat, formerly known as "Sounds Nauti," had seen (much) better days, and its tragic sinking in the Marlborough Sounds had left it in a state of disrepair that would make even the most seasoned sailor walk away!
But Michael made it his mission to restore the boat to its former glory.
Local marine businesses recommended Half Moon Bay Marine Electrical for the job. We had previously worked on the boat, and our reputation for tackling even the most challenging projects made us the perfect fit.
Our team, led by Tom, concentrated on the rewiring and repower of the vessel. Sam, one of our technicians, took on the task of untangling the electrical wiring - armed with nothing more than his trusty pliers and a lot of patience and determination. Using tin copper and marine-grade materials, Sam was able to rewire the boat, labelling and looming each connection with precision.
We used top-of-the-line equipment for the restoration, including Simrad electronics, Fusion audio equipment, Hella lighting, batteries from Battery Town Marine, a Webasto heater, a Roca wiper system, BEP battery switches and switchboards, and a Mastervolt charger. Overall, the job took about 2 months to complete, but we had the vessel in the shop for about 9 months to ensure everything was perfect.
When the boat was finally ready for inspection, we went above and beyond, picking Michael up from his hotel and bringing him to our workshop. We greeted him with a warm cup of coffee and a comprehensive overview of all the work that had been done.
Michael was over the moon. We’d delivered on the promises we made, and the boat, now renamed "Sounds Survivor," was ready for the water once more.
To put our work to the test, Michael set out on the boat's first sea trial across the Cook Strait. The boat performed flawlessly, a testament to the quality of our work and the trust Michael had placed in us at HMB.
Saluté: Electrical Transformation
This mint 75ft Maritimo received the full treatment from the HMBE team – including Garmin gear, remote control functionality, socket outlets, Starlink, switchboard/circuit adjustments, 230V shore power generation, galvanic protection and more!
Here’s what Dave Wyeth has to say about HMB Marine Electrical:
“I have had the team at HMB Electrical work on five of my boats over the years. They understand me and my boats well, and I can tell them what issue I may have, and they simply deal with it. This saves me a lot of time because I can just tell them what’s wrong. Most recently, they are working on Salute, which is the second Maritimo they have worked on. They got the other boat ocean-ready and fit for my Fiji trip. Even though Salute is only a two-year-old boat, what I love is that they are making my access to technology and gadgets on my boat easier to use and tailoring the boat exactly how I like it.
Having the same team working on my boat is great too. Whether it is Neil, Tom, or Myles, they are only a phone call away if I need them. I am very pleased with the service I receive; they are professional, and I would highly recommend them.”