IPfocus - IP UserGroup

IPfocusArchipelago Island CCTV from VIDEOTECSea tested IP Monitoring for theenchanting Archipelago of SardiniaThe Maddalena archipelago is a group ofislands north-east of Sardinia, off theEmerald Coast, a popular destination forpleasure sailors for its natural beauty andunspoiled emerald waters.Established in 1996, the National Park isstrictly protected by environmental heritagelaws. The archipelago is famous for theamazing rock carved by the wind. LaMaddalena is the main island.The ambitious total IP video system whichaims to protect the marine and coastalenvironment of La Maddalena distinguishesitself for its charming locations and thesingularity of the challenges it has faced andthe relevance of current issues at stake.The Ministry of Transport and Harbour Officerequested action on two different fronts:video surveillance of a vast area thatincludes sea, houses, wharves andsurrounding docks plus the monitoring ofmaritime traffic in the Park area. The firstcase, the tender’s specifications required anIP video system, installed on the LaMaddalena island consisting of a controlroom located in the ancient tower in theGuardia Vecchia suburb, and a remote systeminstalled at Punta Chiara.To control the traffic on the sea areas whichare not visible from the island it wasessential to install mobile IP cameras invarious spots.The Rome security distribution companyItaltec and the Make Security installationcompany were called up to design and buildthe system using Panasonic and Videotecproducts, while the software was developedby the Milan company Essai. The technologiesused are all cutting edge latest generationand the works were completed in fullcompliance with all applicable standards andregulations.Since the natural location is so impervious, aconsiderable number of difficulties wereencountered in the implementation phase,such as the transportation of site equipmentor the lack of electricity, a problem resolvedby using photovoltaic panels, capable ofguaranteeing a week of independent powereven without the sun. This service wasensured by using low consumption productsonly, along with Videotec pan-tilt systemswhich have zero consumption levels wheninactive.The video system installed on the LaMaddalena island is composed of twonetwork video recorders and about a dozenPanasonic video cameras.Videotec IP68 housings and pan-tilt systemswere installed to protect and handle thecameras; the latter are made from polishedstainless steel designed to withstand themost severe environments and developedspecifically for the offshore market, industrialuse and any type of environment whereexternal agents are highly corrosive andaggressive as at sea. Furthermore, theaccurate mechanical construction andreliable motors reduce the need formaintenance even in situations of intensemechanical stress. This is an essentialcondition in sites which are difficult to reachlike the Maddalena archipelago. Moreover,these devices are equipped with wipers toensure clear viewing in all weatherconditions.Given the need for accurate sea patrolsystems, the pan-tilt systems were equippedwith two-way telemetry, an ad hocapplication developed by Italtec whichdisplays not only the video recording on themonitor but also the geographic referencecoordinates.Only a few months have passed since thework was completed but it is already possibleto draw a positive balance.There is not a small stretch of coastline or aportion of sea that escapes the widespreadpatrol systems which are capable oftransmitting images that are so clear andprecise that it is possible to read the licenseplate of a ship two miles away.The anomalous events detected by thesystem so far have mainly referred todistress calls by boats in difficulty. In suchcases, the accuracy of the shots is so highthat the operator was able to aim the cameraexactly in the direction where the call wasbeing made and watch what was actuallyhappening. But illegal situations that mayoccur are numerous: from encroachment byships to the passage of oil tankersdischarging pollutants into the environment.The example set by La Maddalena may serveto convince other marine parks to adopt thesame tools and technologies.40_issue 27