In the world of superyachts it is all about aesthetics and it is obvious that design is very important. A bridge lay-out is always subject to customisation by the Owner’s team. However most important is to ensure safe and efficient sailing. RH Marine share the opinion that ‘less is more’ by keeping mimics simple and clear with the right information at the right spot. By being involved at the design phase of the bridge console the company ensure that the operational goals meet the customers demand for safety and comfort and obviously the requirements of rules and regulations.
As integrated bridge systems (IBS) for superyachts advance substantially in both usability and aesthetics, marine electronics specialists Admarel B.V., an Alewijnse Marine company. realised that superyacht owners they work with typically expect something that both looks good as well as ensures a safe and compliant cruising experience. Malou Bense the company’s marketing communications manager believes, “The sheer diversity of navigation, communications and control systems often means that even the latest bridges end up with a range of independent stations, each catering to a different system and each with its own operating manual and training requirements.
“With that in mind, she says, “The ultimate objective for Admarel and its fellow companies involved in superyacht electronics supply and integration has been to achieve what is already being delivered by the automotive and aerospace sectors – a clean, unified look for ‘control centres’ where multiple systems deliver their data and control using via a harmonised interface.”
Admarel believe that their goal has been achieved with the arrival of the Synapsis NX integrated navigation system (INS) from Raytheon Anschütz. Despite the name, the Synapsis NX is about much more than just navigation. It goes beyond what most captains would regard as an IBS adding a fully flexible IT network that will receive and distribute data and commands from anywhere and to anywhere it is needed not necessarily limited to just navigation.
I-Bridge Air Wings is a new system from Onyx Marine Automation part of the TEAM Italia Group. It provides for integration of the 3D. Federico Sturlese, the firms CTO, says, “The 3D monitoring we developed tracks out a new route on the panorama of supervision systems, guaranteeing unprecedented levels of usability. The innovative three-dimensional graphics are perfectly integrated into the I-Bridge® system and enhance its versatility, efficiency and design,” affirms Captain David Clarke was for many years the Master and Commander of the 73 metre Delta Marine built Laurel. That was before he and his wife, the yachts purser, stepped ashore to set up Superyacht Operating Systems a powerful standard operating procedure system featuring tools superyacht crew need to complete seamless digital tasks, checklists, work lists, procedures and calendars not just for the bridge but the entire superyacht.
Bridge Management might look very different on a 30 metre as compared to a 130 metre but when you break it down the basics are all the same. Good Bridge Management is a combination of the right team, the right equipment and the right tools, and without all of them working in harmony, Bridge Management can easily turn into Bridge Mayhem.
The right team consists of the following, The Decision Maker, The Helmsman, The Plotter, The Radio Officer and The Lookout. Often one person will carry out multiple roles during a Bridge watch and when the conditions are presented it might be required that five or more persons carry out just one role each. Nether the less all these roles make up the Bridge team and weather it’s a team of one or a team of five working in harmony, the right team in the bridge is what makes up the first component of good Bridge Management on board any vessel.