Designing a yacht bridge © Raytheon Anschütz 16 <strong>HANSA</strong> YACHTS | <strong>2021</strong>
Integrated bridge systems (IBS) for superyachts have significantly improved in the past years. The experts of Raytheon Anschütz summarize the relevant developments out of recent superyacht IBS projects in terms of technology, ergonomics and attractive wheelhouse design On conventional bridges many single units were connected through multiple cables and interfaces. Such an unclear data distribution has turned out to be a risk. Further, the overflow of inconsistent information as well as superfluous alarms generated by single units further hamper safe decision making and foster stress on the bridge. On the modern bridge the single navigation devices transform into network participants and the integration of data creates many new useful functions. This also has benefits when it comes to functional upgrades or refits. Modern superyacht bridge systems also ensure an entirely consistent use, designation and presentation of sensor data and targets throughout the system – which is significantly different from the »console thinking« in the past. At the same time, the bridge features an intelligent, central handling of any alerts arising. The crew can handle any task or attend to any situation from any multifunctional display. In other words: The navigator interacts with a single system only, what is a strong contribution to a much-improved situational awareness and reduction of stress. Rack installation enables flexibility State-of-the-art is to share all sensor data, charts and the radar raw video via LAN. Standardized computers are used for the multifunctional displays and the function of each dedicated display can later be defined by simple means of software applications and modules – or adapted, as needed by the crew. Computers and other hardware can be installed in 19” racks within a separate technical room, utilizing the benefits of the modern network topology. On the bridge it just needs to have the multifunctional displays with few devices for indication and control. This means almost unlimited flexibility for very lean, space-saving and ergonomic bridge console designs, besides other advantages with regard to maintenance, security, cooling, and cabling. The design of new navigational software applications concentrates on the »human element«, to overcome the issues of former inhomogeneous, confusing and difficult to use user interfaces. Standardized user interfaces simplify right situational assessment and decision making, while intuitive workflows and supported common interaction pattern ease the work of navigators when it comes to their daily tasks and use cases. Likewise, the navigational applications are loaded with smart functionality to support voyage management, collision avoidance or area surveillance. Larger systems can also integrate software or workstations of OEMs, such as automation systems, sonars, dynamic positioning systems or camera systems. Customer choose applications from the preferred makers, which are integrated for example by using a digital KVM system Individualization by customer’s choice A well thought out bridge design contributes to fulfilling the demands of the owner and the interior designer regarding attractive wheelhouse surroundings, making the superyacht bridge a comfortable public area covering only indispensable devices for navigation and control. Whilst the crew enjoys latest technological and functional achievements to operate safely at high comfort, guests will experience the wheelhouse rather like an appealing living-room, peppered with innovative technology. The modern bridge network architecture in combination with the 19” racks is an efficient approach to enable individual and lean bridge arrangements. A highquality, seamless and clean design is also ensured by using modular foil panels. Foil panels can provide a common look and feel for the indispensable hardware controls, such as rudder steering, DP system and main engine. Other hardware controls for devices such as window wipers, air horn, search lights, thrusters, or pumps can be transformed to software, hosted on 12.1” panel-pcs and designed with the same user interfaces, like the existing navigational applications. This makes the bridge not only look fancy and innovative, it also bears technological advantages: the actual number of devices on the bridge is significantly reduced, and adaptations or upgrades to new functionalities becomes fairly easy, as required by the customer. <strong>HANSA</strong> YACHTS | <strong>2021</strong> 17
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