MSC Cruises To Use New Innovative ‘Man Overboard’ Detection Technology.

We all want our cruise ships to be as safe as possible and it looks like MSC Cruises are leading the way when it comes to developing new technology to try and achieve this.

MSC Cruises has recently announced the launch of a new video surveillance system offering even greater on-board security. The cruise line has developed a highly-sophisticated advanced system with the help of Bosch and Hewlett Packard Enterprise, global leaders in security technology.

After a successful phase of extensive stress-testing and continuous software upgrades, the intelligent video capturing and analysis system is now operational.

Pierfrancesco Vago, MSC Cruises’ Executive Chairman said: “The security and safety of our guests and crew on board has always been our highest priority. Therefore we have developed a highly-innovative solution that, through the use of military-grade technology, will allow ship command to take immediate action if needed.”

The new system consists of a comprehensive shield of intelligent optical and thermal video cameras which provide nonstop comprehensive surveillance alongside the relevant exterior parts of the ship. All captured video images are streamed in real-time to a Central Security Room where the video stream is monitored together with all other inputs from the 1,200 HD CCTV cameras on board the ship.

MSC Cruises Security Department and experts from Bosch and Hewlett Packard Enterprise have worked over 14 months to meet demanding security requirements and create the right surveillance setup to further increase the accuracy of the captured video images, the latter are processed and analysed by two separate and independent image processing systems.

This double security system has allowed to significantly lower the error margin for false alerts – typically caused by natural movements such as waves, reflection of sun or moon, or a bird triggering the alarm. These ordinary interferences usually pose significant challenges for current shipboard CCTV technology. Through over 25,000 hours of video analysis, extensive software testing and continuous algorithmic updates, the system has now reached a confirmed accuracy level of 97%.

In case of alarm, an acoustic signal and light will alert the ship’s Security Officer in the Central Security Room who can immediately connect to the system and acquire all images and data and, if necessary, retrieve or review the relevant video images. The Security Officer has direct access to the ship command at the Bridge to allow for immediate action.

The system is now operational on MSC Meraviglia and is a first of its kind in the industry. Over time, similar systems will be developed and deployed across MSC Cruises’ global fleet.

Not a lot of people know that.

Bye for now.