See in the dark with FLIR thermal cameras

by Helen Hopcroft on 20 May 2007 The global thermal imaging giant FLIR is developing a range of thermal cameras for marine use.

Sail-World spoke to FLIR’s Tony Kelly who says that in a few years thermal cameras, currently widely used by police and military, will become standard boat equipment. He sees a serious range of cruising applications.

‘It’s like GPS was 7 or 8 years ago. GPS 7 or 8 years ago was quite specialised, and pretty big and bulky. We’re sure that in a few years time thermal cameras will be just another accessory that you add to your boat.’

Kelly anticipates that cruising sailors will use FLIR thermal cameras at night for security, as a navigation aid and as part of their man overboard response.

Thermal imagery cameras produce images of infrared or ‘heat’ radiation that is invisible to the human eye. The camera is able to produce images because of the temperature differences between objects.

‘All objects give out energy. Anything above zero degrees kelvin gives out energy and these cameras are looking at this particular part of the spectrum. We’re not looking at visible light at all. We’re basically looking at energy given out by all objects.’

‘It can be absolutely pitch black and the cameras will still see the energy given out by the object. That’s why they’re so useful at night. Because objects are still giving off energy and you can see these objects.’

The camera sends continuous video image of the boat’s surroundings through to a display screen; it’s like watching a black and white television.

‘People have got their radar and their GPS and all that other equipment, which is really useful, but there’s nothing like seeing what’s ahead of you…and this is what this allows you to do.’

We’re all familiar with images from thermal cameras via American television shows with cops chasing ‘perps’ at night. There’s also been a steady stream of images from war zones showing aerial shots of missile strikes and soldiers engaged in combat and surveillance operations.

‘You’ve probably seen those shows with the bad guys being chased by a helicopter?’ Tony Kelly asks. ‘9 times out of 10 it’s a FLIR camera.’

The FLIR website has impressive thermal camera video of a man leaning against a wall at night. His body is a dazzling white; he leans his hand briefly against a wall, when he drops his arm, camera picks up a white handprint on the wall where his palm had been.

Another video shows a boat coming into a crowded harbour at night. The screen is divided in half. One section shows what you can see with your normal vision, the other shows thermal imagery of the same scene. The contrast is striking. The human eye sees just blackness with a few lights twinkling; the thermal camera shows boats, navigation buoys, and even buildings on shore.
(http://www.flir.com/imaging/Maritime/Products/Voyager.aspx)

FLIR already has three models at the Sanctuary Cove boat show; the Mariner, Navigator and the top end Voyager.

‘The price is fantastic. The Navigator is around US5000 and the Mariner is not quite double that. Some people think that’s pretty expensive, but for a thermal camera, that is just a fantastic price. Two or three years ago we didn’t have a camera for less than US$50,000.’

The Navigator, Mariner and Voyager models are exempt from US licensing requirements.

‘The thermal cameras are used extensively in the military. That’s why the licensing is required because the technology is military based…And they require licensing from the US State department…And that can take anywhere from three to four months, and it can be a real pain.’

‘With these cameras, because they’re geared to a lower frame rate, we can get around that. So there’s no licensing required. They’re basically off the shelf. People can order them and be delivered in a couple of weeks.’

Kelly says that sailors are buying the thermal cameras for a range of reasons. Some customers are pure ‘early adopters’- they quickly embrace new technologies and are keen to have the cutting edge products.

It’s likely that the cameras are being purchased to help reduce some of the anxiety associated with night sailing.

‘The applications are just endless…There’s these floating shipping containers out at sea which are just floating around. It really does scare people, especially at night. You’re just going along and then whack!’

‘With a thermal camera, as long as the container is a little bit above water, you’d be able to see them.’

The cameras would be a useful aid to coming into a unfamilar marina or onto a mooring at night.

‘With people having their lights turned off on boats, or if there is a kayaker or whatever. You’ll see them with the thermal camera. It’s got huge benefits.’

And the camera may assist, in conjunction with the boat’s other safety equipment, in the event of a man overboard situation.

‘So if someone does fall over, and its pitch black, they’ll stand out in the cold water, because you’re a lot warmer than the water. They’ll really stand out.’

Thermal cameras are being used by people on stationary boats to monitor what’s happening around the vessel. The cameras can be hooked up to compatible recording equipment if this feature is required.

‘The other reason people say they like having the cameras is peace of mind and security. So when they’re anchored or if they’re docked they can be sitting back relaxing and be able to see anyone approaching.’

‘If they’re on a pier they can have a camera and see if anyone’s walking up towards their boat, for example. Or if they’re anchored, they can see anyone approaching. It’s the added peace of mind of seeing what’s going on at night. Think of the peace of mind that could provide cruising sailors in some of the less than secure ports around the world’

www.flir.com