Wärtsilä Voyage, part of the technology group Wärtsilä, announced that its Smart Panoramic Edge Camera System (SPECS) will be used by Brittany Ferries to improve the safety and efficiency of its passenger ferry operations.
SPECS will be first installed onboard the Salamanca, the 214.5m 1,015-passenger ferry which started operations between Portsmouth and Bilbao in March 2022.
Navigating busy ports and berthing are two of the most challenging aspects of ferry operations.
Increased vessel size, introduced in line with ‘safe return to port’ regulations, and challenging weather conditions mean the margin for error during these manoeuvres is small.
The SPECS super-wide cameras will give the crew a 360° view, from the edge of the hull to the horizon, streamed directly to the bridge in real-time.
Live distance indications to objects around the vessel reduce risks of a collision, protecting passengers, crew and the ferry, while improved visibility helps captains navigate rough seas.
With busy schedules to keep, minutes used manoeuvring on each side of a voyage can also quickly increase costs.
The efficiencies achieved thanks to the assistance of the SPECS system can maximise trading time and minimise fuel consumption.
By saving fuel, Brittany Ferries is also reducing its greenhouse gas emissions, advancing the company’s sustainability strategy.
