360 Vision Technology Invictus Cameras Deployed to Protect Cattewater Harbour, Plymouth

Cattewater Harbour in Plymouth is harnessing the power and performance of 360 Vision Technology’s Invictus cameras, to protect and secure operations across the challenging and changing conditions at the harbour’s extensive shoreline.

The UK manufacturer of ruggedised HD, radar and thermal PTZ imaging cameras, was selected to provide their industry leading camera technology after a comprehensive on-site evaluation.  

Located  on  the  south  coast  of  Devon,  Plymouth  is  the  largest  city  on  the  southwest  peninsula  and  the  port  is  also  home  to  the  largest  naval  base  in  Western  Europe.  As  well  as  civilian  pleasure  traffic  from  paddleboards  to  yachts,  the  Port  of  Plymouth  handles  a  variety  of  cargo  vessels  through  its  commercial  terminals  at  Cattedown  Wharves,  Victoria  Wharf  and  Corporation  Wharf.  Freight  includes  liquid  and  dry  bulk,  as  well as specialist project consignments for construction and heavy industry. 

Safe operation

The Cattewater Harbour Commissioners are responsible for the smooth and safe running of the port. They are required to maintain and order safe navigation for all manner of craft, maintain and survey dredging channels, maintain navigation marks and lights, provide pilotage services and traffic regulation within the Cattewater Harbour and remainder of the civil port.

At the port, nationally agreed standards for the safety of marine operations are required to be applied with a commitment to both local and international security measures, with the port’s own pilots boarding and guiding vessels with a 24/7 essential safety service – ensuring that all vessels over 50m complete their passage safely.

The harbour covers an expansive coastline, with limits to the east of a line joining Mountbatten Breakwater to Fishers Nose, bounded by Sutton Lock Gates to the North, and Laira Bridge to the East. 

The Harbour Master’s role is to ensure the safety of navigation for all harbour users –  whether military warships, cross-channel ferries, UAVs, underwater research vessels, small fishing boats, fuel tankers, large cargo ships, jet skis, or paddle boarders – and to take preventative measures to avoid incidents. 

“We are responsible for the safety of vessels, people and operations,” says Capt. Richard Allan, CEO & Harbour Master, PFSO (Port Facility Security Officer), Cattewater Harbour Commissioners. “We need to know what’s happening in the port at all times”.

Effective surveillance coverage

To achieve this, a camera system covering the port was deemed invaluable, with requirements for total coverage of the water and shoreline, combined with economy, performance and longevity of the camera equipment in the harsh seaport environment.

To bring the project to fruition, Outersight (UK), a ‘hands-on’ consultancy dedicated to delivering innovative technical solutions were brought on board. 

Working  with  the  Cattewater  Harbour  Commissioners  and  360  Vision  on  previous  projects  for  over  ten  years,  and  with  experience  working  with  universities,  government  departments,  broadcasters,  nature  conservation  bodies,  natural  heritage  visitor  centres,  as  well  as  port  authorities  –  Cattewater  Harbour  Commissioners  knew  that  Outersight (UK) were the people with the experience required for the project. 

“We have worked with 360 Vision on many projects and have relied on the manufacturer’s surveillance camera experience and technological expertise before,” says Peter Barlow, Managing Director of Outersight (UK). “It was no different with this project. Right from the start, the team at 360 Vision helped us to demonstrate the advantages of using a network of their Invictus cameras at the port – primarily with an on-site demonstration to the port management team – so they could get real ‘eyes-on’ experience of the Invictus camera within the environment in which it would be used.”

The  Outersight  (UK)  team  installed  a  network  of  360  Vision  Invictus  cameras  around  the  port  to  cover  the  water  and  shoreline,  including  cameras  high  on  the  marker  light  poles  that signal the entrance to the port. 

 “The  camera  locations  were  selected  based  on  the  most  economical  way  to  cover  the  area  required,”  continues  Peter.  “The  flexibility  of  mounting  options  and  visual  performance  of  the  Invictus  cameras  really  paid  dividends,  allowing  us  to  provide  the  port with the coverage they required, allied to the most economical cost. 

 “The  fact  that  we  have  access  to  the  navigation  light  towers  which  by  default  have  a  great  view  of  the  water,  allied  with  the  brilliant  zoom  function  of  the  Invictus  cameras  means  we  do  not  need  many  cameras  to  cover  a  really  large  area.  By  specifying  really  great  cameras  and  optimising  each  camera  position,  we  have  managed  to  cover  an  extensive  area  with  only  a  small  amount  of  equipment  –  giving  us  great  return  on  investment and the lowest possible running costs.” 

 The  360  Vision  cameras  cover  the  entire  harbour  area,  including  Cattewater  Berths,  Barbican  Landing  Stage,  marina  areas,  slipways  and  the  vast  shoreline.  They  are  located  on  navigation  lights  dotted  around  the  estuary  and  on  top  of  the  harbour  master’s  building,  with  all  having  good  open  aspects  to  the  water  for  maximum  surveillance coverage. 

 Additionally,  The  Cattewater  Harbour  Master  provides  the  Kings  Harbour  Master  with  access  to  the  cameras  to  oversee  operations  in  the  MoD  dockyard  and  Plymouth  Sound. 

360 Vision Invictus cameras feature 32x zoom and a 5-year guaranteed marine-grade paint – an essential attribute for use within the harbour’s corrosive saline environment. Additionally, several Invictus cameras with PoE option were used – greatly simplifying installation at the more remote reaches of the system.

Optical clarity

“The 32x zoom capability and stable image quality of the Invictus camera provides wide area coverage and excellent zoomed-in image results,” explains Peter. “This is especially advantageous to identify small vessels at distance – an essential requirement at the port.”

“The Invictus camera has everything we need and at a very competitive price,” adds Richard. “It’s especially reliable in the harsh coastal environment, where we deal with a combination of sea salt, saline air and hot summer sun.”

With essential marine environment features, such as viewing window wiper and low light capability, the network of Invictus cameras is capable of alerting the harbour management team to any operational, security or safety situation, allowing them to take action and suppress the situation before it escalates. 

The surveillance system is recorded 24/7 and video footage can be accessed by the Harbour Master in the control room and by mobile login by authorised duty personnel on site, via seamless integration with the Blue Iris VMS.

Optical clarity and zoom capability of the camera network ensures instant visual confirmation, no matter what size of vessel or incident, with members of the harbour management team afforded remote access to the camera network via their phones for instant confirmation of incidents while on the ground or out on the water.

The low power operation of the Invictus cameras also means lower running costs for the port, as certified by the camera’s Elexon charge code compliance for Unmetered Supply (UMS) outdoor powered devices, where electricity consumption is billed at just 30W per camera deployed

Organisations operating CCTV systems can achieve power consumption savings of an incredible 70%.  This is a significantly lower power draw versus peer PTZ cameras with generic Charge Codes which are typically billed at 100W, and helps to lower daily running costs at the port.

Using 360 Vision’s Invictus cameras as its backbone, Cattewater Harbour Commissioners now have an electronic surveillance system that is reliable, future-proof, rugged, economical and delivers the high performance required to meet the demanding daily operations of the busy seaport.

“Making things safe and secure for everyone using the port is greatly aided by the surveillance camera system,” says Richard. “The port keeps watch on a wide variety of vessels, including those carrying oil, gas, cattle feed and aggregate, to military warships, cross-channel ferries and underwater research vessels. We also see paddle boarders and jet ski enthusiasts out on the waters too. Evidential footage from the system provides us with the power to convict irresponsible users, such as jet ski riders speeding, or illegal bass fishing brought in on small boats at night.

“Since the inception of the new CCTV system, we have been able to solve a vast variety of incidents from the control room – keeping the public safe, ensuring shipping adheres to the rules of the port and preventing crime.” 

For more information on 360 Vision Technology’s range of ruggedised HD, hybrid, radar, thermal and TX wireless imaging cameras, customers can contact 360 Vision Technology on  +44 (0)1928 570000, email: info@360visiontechnology.com, or visit their website at www.360visiontechnology.com