Navigating our inland waterways can be as challenging as finding a parking spot downtown on a Saturday afternoon. However, with Bridgescout® on board, this becomes much clearer. This system acts as your extra pair of eyes on the water, allowing you to always follow your route safely and efficiently, which is essential for the safety of inland navigation.
The safety of our inland waterways is increasingly under pressure, according to figures from Rijkswaterstaat. The number of incidents on the water rose from 1,225 in 2021 to 1,319 in 2022, with a particularly sharp increase in serious accidents within commercial shipping. This worrying trend underscores the growing importance of effective risk management and the implementation of preventative solutions. A specific issue that often leads to incidents is inadequate information about bridge heights. Rijkswaterstaat emphasized the need for clear communication and advanced technology to reduce these incidents in an interview with Brabants Dagblad.
In this context, Bridgescout® plays a crucial role by providing skippers with real-time bridge height information, enabling them to navigate more informedly and therefore more safely. By making precise data available, Bridgescout® significantly helps reduce the chance of bridge collisions, contributes to a safer navigation environment, and reduces the number of serious incidents. This is crucial for ensuring the safety of our inland waterways and supporting professional skippers in their daily challenges.
How does Bridgescout® contribute to inland waterway safety?
Bridgescout® is a cutting-edge technology developed by SensorMaritime, specifically aimed at enhancing safety in inland navigation. This system uses LIDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) sensors and advanced algorithms to measure distances to bridges and other obstacles accurately. This allows skippers to react timely and efficiently to avoid potential collisions.
https://youtu.be/7c-JJSMWR1c?si=EvX_BwW54gPhwqL3
Benefits of Bridgescout®
- Measurement of Foremast and Aftmast Height: By measuring the height of both the foremast and aftmast, Bridgescout® provides real-time data that is crucial to determine whether a ship can safely pass under a bridge. This is particularly important during variable water levels.
- External Controls: Bridgescout® is equipped with controls that are accessible from outside, allowing for quick responses to changing conditions.
- Mast Wheelhouse High and Low Function: This feature allows the skipper to adjust the height of the wheelhouse depending on the required clearance height.
- Height Creep Line Display: Shows the ‘creep line,’ or the maximum height at which the ship can still safely pass under a bridge.
- Total Wheelhouse Height: Provides information about the total height of the wheelhouse, so skippers always have a clear view of the space needed to navigate safely.
- Display on Screen: All measurements are clearly displayed on an easily readable screen in the wheelhouse, designed for ease of use.
Inland waterway safety
practical applications and benefits
Bridgescout® is not just a technical tool, but an integral part of daily operations on ships. By providing detailed and real-time information, skippers can make better decisions that lead to safer and more efficient sailing routes. This has a direct positive impact on operational costs and the environmental impact of shipping by reducing fuel consumption and emissions.
Shall we call?
Want to learn more about how Bridgescout® can help you? Call us at +31 73 220 0454 or send an email to info@sensormaritime.com to discuss the possibilities. And of course, we are also happy to discuss solutions over a cup of coffee!
