When it comes to addressing the challenges of tender towing and monitoring, you don´t have to worry. ptw Shipyard and the TowPro TSM System are your trusted partners. We are committed to providing the service that ensures the safety and efficiency of your yacht. With its advanced monitoring capabilities and our premium installation services, you can significantly reduce the risks associated with tender towing, improve insurance terms, and enjoy complete monitoring during mooring, use, and towing.
Now, let’s explore how it addresses the challenges of tender towing and monitoring, all while reducing risks, improving insurance terms, and ensuring complete peace of mind and the key components of installation.
Tender Monitoring Challenges: A Growing Concern
The risks associated with superyacht tender towing and potential damage, whether moored or left unattended, are industry-wide problems. Insurers are grappling with substantial financial losses, captains and owners face operational limitations due to insurance restrictions, and the disappointment of owners and guests when a tender is lost or damaged is all too common. The existing towing protection solutions have proven inadequate.
TowPro: Revolutionizing Tender Monitoring
In response to these challenges, a cross-industry collaboration gave rise to TowPro. Often referred to as “eyes in the boat,” its advanced tow protection system keeps captains and crew aware of issues 24/7, preventing losses, reducing insurance claims, and allowing leading insurers to revise towing restrictions in favour of safer practices.
Tender Side TowPro TSM System Installation Overview
Now, let’s delve into the installation process of the TowPro TSM System for the tender side. This cutting-edge system ensures the safety and efficiency of your vessel by collecting data through AIS, and GPS, and monitoring bilge and pump levels. The installation involves three main components:
- TowPro Processor: This central unit plays a crucial role in communication. It interacts with both the interface unit and the transceiver unit through dedicated canbusses, ensuring seamless data transfer.
- Interface Unit: Responsible for measuring voltage levels from pumps and bilges, the interface unit converts this information into can messages. Moreover, it can control various outputs like strobe lights, tow lights, and even sirens. For applications with higher current loads, ensure an appropriate feed with an 8 mm stud.
- Transceiver Unit: This unit has two antennas, one for GPS and another for VHF communication. Ideally, external mounting is recommended for optimal performance. However, in certain situations, the GPS iridium antenna can be mounted internally, with the use of a VHF splitter for convenience.
Yacht Side TowPro TSM System Installation Overview
The installation on the yacht side is relatively simpler, as it primarily involves receiving information from the tender. Key components include the receiver unit and the screen, which display essential data. Both these components are connected to a dedicated backbone supplied from 12 or 24 volts.
To receive the VHF signal from the tender, you can either use a dedicated antenna or the AIS splitter provided by TowPro with each kit. The TowPro connects to the AIS connection, and this connection can be shared with the existing VHF system on the yacht.
Tender Towing Best Practice Today
Traditionally, insurers require captains to make regular observations of the towed tender from the yacht, but this practice comes with limitations. Remote observations can only provide incomplete safety information about the tender, such as its presence and basic stability. However, what remote observers cannot do is:
- Monitor key safety information inside the boat, including bilge pump operation, battery charge levels, and bilge water levels.
- Maintain continuous observations for early awareness.
- Ensure clear observations of the tender at night.
As a result, critical issues within the tender may go unnoticed until it’s too late to prevent an incident or loss.
Contact ptw Shipyard for TowPro Excellence
If you’re ready to enhance the safety and protection of your yacht’s tender, contact us today. Our team is ready to assist you every step of the way.
To get a firsthand account of the TowPro experience, sit back, relax, and enjoy Captain Paul‘s video as he takes you on an in-depth tour of their HCB 53’ Chase Boat and shares how great of an experience it’s been to use TowPro systems.
Experience the TowPro advantage with ptw Shipyard!
