Skipper's Mate
Comms and Entertainment when you're on board
Security, Remote Control and Information when you're not
24/7 access to your boat from your browser
Security, Remote Control and Information when you're not
24/7 access to your boat from your browser
Under the Bonnet
Details for those who wish to use the FREE Open Source Software - or those who are generally a bit geeky and want to know more about how it all hangs together ! If you just want to plug it together and use it then you don't need to be here.
The system comprises 3 parts -
- your local browser which can be a desktop PC, laptop, tablet, smartphone …
- a central server
- the equipment installed on your boat
All software sources are included in the Open Source GPlv2 download so that you can build your own Boat Control Unit and Central Server. The system is written in a mixture of languages, HTML and JavaScript on the client side, PHP and C++ on the Boat Control Unit side and C on the Arduino Server side. The sources are provided so that you can compile for whichever chipset and operating system you use - we currently use Raspbian Jessie for the Boat Control Unit - generally running on a late Raspberry Pi - 2 or 3 Model B - but the software can be used on earlier versions. See the KnowledgeBase / Open Source section for details on power requirements. Our Central Server currently runs CentOS 6.7. To run a Central Server you will need a fixed IP address, a Linux operating system with PostgreSQL database, a VPN Server, an email and SMS server plus standard stuff (e.g. web server, ssh, iptables) and our Open Source software from the download file.
The Equipment on Your Boat
This comprises :
* required
- *Boat Control Unit - based around a Raspberry Pi, from 12V / 24V / mains power, stepped-down to 5V
- Sensor Control Unit - optional - Arduino communicating via Bluetooth -any number
- Relay Control Unit - optional - Raspberry Pi communicating via Wi-Fi - any number - serve 2 relays each
* one or other required
- *3G/4G Mobile Broadband Dongle
- *Wireless receiver
- GPS dongle
- USB camera(s)
- IP camera(s)
- DVB-T FreeView TV/Radio dongle
- Media storage - memory stick/flash drive and/or solid-state drive (SSD)
- Sensors - voltage, temp/humid, make-and-break
- Relays - to switch on-board equipment
Making Contact with Your Boat
To utilise the security features, it is necessary to go through a Central Server because the 3G dongle/Wi-Fi receiver on your boat will change its IP address at the whim of your 3G/Wi-Fi supplier. This can sometimes be several times a day. The extra software to build the Central Server is included in the download.
To make contact, we need to know the IP address. To achieve this, the equipment on your boat calls home to the central server with it's current IP address which is stored centrally. So to access the cameras, GPS etc. on your boat you log in to the central server with your unique id and password which automatically redirects you to the Raspberry on your boat.
This is completely transparent to the end user – you simply use the menus presented to you in your browser to access cameras, GPS etc.
The Raspberry has limited storage space available locally so any video recorded and snapshots taken and GPS plots are periodically uploaded to the server where they are kept for a minimum of 12 months. * Note 1 – Optional extra
Any irregular activity on your boat (motion detected or movement of the boat herself) is communicated to the central server which is responsible for contacting you (and up to 4 nominated representatives) with details in an email and/or SMS (SMS Optional extra).
A wireless access point provides :
- a Wi-Fi Hotspot when you're on board
- access to the Raspberry when you're on board
- communication with any wireless cameras or other devices
The data are stored in an industrial-strength relational database – PostgreSQL. Since SD cards, unlike hard disks, can only be written a limited number of times any temporary information is stored on a ramdisk in an SQLite database. Selected data are transferred from the Raspberry ramdisk to more permanent storage in the PostgreSQL database on the Raspberry and/or the PostgreSQL database on the central server.
Future Developments
Future expansion includes additional boat interfaces and greater choice/settings.
And the system now offers control of on-board equipment remotely – for example, to turn on your fridge and heating when you're stuck in the queue on the motorway - see Relays.
We are also open to suggestions for any other useful features.