ONBOARD Magazine winter 2019

Q & A
ASK THE EXPERTS
Advice and knowledge from the leading experts in their fields
LUKE PORTER
Commercial Manager
Shipyard Supply Co
SAM THOMPSON
Co-founder & Director
JMS Crew
EDDIE KLOOSTERMAN
Global Commercial Manager
Mr Smith
GWYNNE LEWIS
Product Line Director
Orolia Maritime
WHAT OPTIONS ARE
AVAILABLE IN INFLATABLE
FENDER CONSTRUCTION?
AS A CREWMEMBER IS
BIGGER ALWAYS BETTER?
WHAT ARE THE LATEST
DEVELOPMENTS FOR ON
BOARD ENTERTAINMENT
SYSTEMS?
IN A GROWING AGE OF
CYBER-CRIME AT SEA,
HOW CAN WE SECURE OUR
NAVIGATIONAL SYSTEMS?
There are three main
fabrics used in inflatable
fender construction; PVC,
Hypalon and Polyurethane
(PU) and each has its pros
and cons depending on
budget and intended usage.
Most will be familiar with
PVC fenders as they’re
used on small dinghies
through to superyachts.
They’re lightweight,
have neat welded seams
and generally offer the
most cost-effective
way of protecting the
yacht. However, they are
more susceptible to UV
degradation so are best
used with a protective
acrylic cover. Hypalon,
on the other hand offers
better UV and abrasion
resistance and the glued
seams are easier to
repair once out at sea.
This functionality typically
comes at a higher cost
and increased weight
compared to PVC. Finally,
there is Polyurethane for
the ultimate abrasion
resistant and hardcore
fendering solution. But
more frequently used in
the commercial sector
on very large yachts.
More and more I am
getting crewmembers
stating a specific size of
yacht they are looking to
join. When I hear this I
immediately roll out the
phrase that ‘bigger isn’t
always better’ which in
the case of superyachts
is very relevant. One size
most definitely doesn’t fit
all in this industry and it
often takes a bit of trial
and error before you find
out what works for you.
The scope of a specific role
differs massively from a
30m to an 80m, so much
so that it takes a very
different mind set and skill
level to be able to tackle
the job properly. This runs
across all departments and
we haven’t even touched on
the required certification!
To ensure a happy and well
run yacht it is vital that
the crew enjoy and feel
comfortable in the role
they are taking on and it
shouldn’t be ‘all about the
money’. Never rule out a
smaller yacht as it could be
the best job you have ever
had, it was for me!
The biggest development
is IP Television, this
means you do not have to
use any tvro’s anymore
only a good and stable
internet which could be
provided for example by
cellweaver.Other latest
developments are Apple
TV solutions, updates via
app and music streams.
A yacht owner or guest
needs to feel that they can
go across the world with
just one single touch of a
touchscreen button. At
Mr Smith we provide the
ultimate entertainment
experience for superyachts
by employing user friendly
software for accessible
control. We believe that
entertainment systems
must be quick, high-end
and easy to use regarding
movies, series or any kind
of music or entertainment
that is requested. We also
pride ourselves in constant
reasearch and development
so we’re always ahead of
the curve and providing
the very latest in on board
audio visual solutions.
Since the development
of the Global Navigation
Satellite System (GNSS)
in the late 70s, Position,
Navigation and Timing
(PNT) based on satellite
input has been vital
on board superyachts,
allowing GNSS receivers to
determine location using
time signals transmitted
from space. The best way
to protect navigational
systems from intentional
interference is with a
multi-layered suite of
resilient PNT solutions:
Passive protection
devices such as antijam
antennae that block GNSS
interference from the
horizon, software-based
navigation protection
devices that alert
the bridge and active
defence solutions which
filter suspicious radio
frequencies from the GNSS
signal. Orolia Maritime also
offers alternatives such as
Satellite Time and Location
(STL), an encrypted signal
1000x stronger than
GNSS. It resists spoofing
and allows vessels to
maintain course even when
there has been total denial
of navigation signals.
ONBOARD | WINTER 2019 | 155