C-Pod Boat Management Systems

The C-Pod system is a boat management system that provides peace of mind and gives the boat owner direct access to the boat via a web portal or a mobile phone.

In addition to offering an active anti-theft alarm system, directly alerting the owner or an appointed third party in the event of a theft attempt, the C-Pod offers online services to enhance the boating experience and to bring the boat closer to the owner.

These services can also be shared via the web portal with family and friends back home.

Alarm Handling

The C-Pod server handles incoming alarms according to a pre-defined and user-configurable action list.

Alarms are sent either as an SMS message or as an e-mail and are also visible on the web portal. The action list is configured per alarm type. All alarms must be reset by the end-user. If an alarm is not recognised by the recipient, then a built-in escalation on the C-Pod server sees to it that the next recipient on the action list gets the alarm. The alarm message that is sent to the recipient contains user-configurable information specific to the type of alarm or warning that has been triggered as well as standard information such as a timestamp and position. This information is configurable from the web portal so that the end-user can enter telephone numbers that are relevant for each situation.

A user might, for instance, want every geo-fence alarm to contain the telephone number to the police or coastguard and every battery warning to contain the number to the service personnel at the local marina.

Anti-theft Alarms

The overall anti-theft alarm function can be switched on or off by pressing the alarm activation button. Typically, the magnetic intrusion alarm is mounted in a way that it will be triggered before accessing the activation button. The alarm will therefore trigger only if the alarm has not been switched-off within 45 seconds from intrusion detection. Similarly, the alarm is activated 45 seconds after switching-on the alarm. When a theft-attempt alarm has been triggered, positions are sent regularly to the C-Pod server until the alarm has been reset.

Intrusion Alarms

The C-Pod unit is delivered with one magnetic sensor for intrusion alarms as standard.

When fully equipped, the unit will have up to 12 sensors organised in two different alarm sections, i.e. when triggered, the system will indicate within which sector the alarm is triggered, but not which specific sensor has been triggered.

Geo-fence

The geo-fence alarm is triggered when the position of the built-in GPS receiver has changed more than 250 m from the supposed position which is set to be the current position when the alarm is activated.

Battery Disconnect Alarm

If the C-Pod unit detects that the external power supply has been disconnected a battery disconnect alarm will be triggered and sent to the selected recipients according to the pre-defined action list.

System Monitoring Warnings and Alarms

System monitoring-related warnings and alarms are sent from the C-Pod server to the registered alarm receivers according to the predefined action list. There is no need to reset warnings that have been issued as is the case with alarms.

Battery Levels

When the boat battery level drops below a user configurable level a low battery warning is sent to the C-Pod server and passed on to the registered receivers according to the pre-defined action list. Note that, if the unit senses that the discharge is not continuous, a battery alarm is triggered instead of a warning.

Heartbeats

The C-Pod unit can be made to send heartbeats on regular intervals. Heartbeats confirm that the agent is working properly. When a heartbeat has not been received as expected, a communication monitor warning is triggered by the server and handled according to the pre-defined action list. This type of warning will always be triggered even if the unit has been located and been made nonoperational.

Positioning and Status Requests

The C-Pod unit can be requested to send its position and status by a direct request from the C-Pod server via the web portal or a mobile phone at any time, regardless of whether the alarm function is switched on or not.

Reasons to Buy

Easy to install

Instantaneous message alert

Global reach

Updated information on position, speed and status

Central server for maximum security

HeartBeat technology gives regular communication with your boat

GeoFence alarm

Flexible system with possibilities to equip sensors for intrusion, fire, water and motion detection

Remote control to onboard equipment including AC, refrigerator and heating

Back-up battery

C-Pod System, Standard Package

The standard consumer-packaged C-Pod system includes:

One C-pod unit with fastener, ready for installation

External GSM/GPRS antenna (direct attachment)

External GPS antenna with fastener and cord

External alarm activation button with integrated status LED

A power cord for connection to external battery

One external magnetic intrusion sensor with cord

Installation instructions and activation code

Guarantee certificate

Accessories

A number of accessories have been developed that extend the functionality of the system:

Beeper (remote alarm activation, waterproof and it floats)

Hubs (plug-and-play connector boxes for adding sensors to alarm loop)

Relays (for remote on/off switching of third-party hardware)

Cables (3-, 5- and 10-m cables with connectors)

Sensors (magnetic and IR)

Sirens

Antennas (for special applications

Outboard motor protection sensor

Additional services

Tracking

The end-user pre-selects a time period, e.g. the summer holiday, during which the position of the boat is sent at regular intervals. The tracking data is then stored on the C-Pod server and available to the end-user as a map with route and waypoints. The service is charged based on the frequency of the position reports and the duration of the tracking period.

Online Log-book

The end-user sends an SMS message from his or her mobile phone to the C-Pod server. The sender’s phone number is matched with a C-Pod unit, a position poll is sent to the unit and the SMS message is stored together with the position of the boat and a time stamp. An upgraded version supports messages in the MMS format, i.e. containing images together with the text.

Guest Accounts

It is possible to add guest accounts via the web portal. A guest account user will receive certain information such as log messages and tracking data either by e-mail or sent directly to their mobile phone when the owner of the C-Pod wishes to share information.

Direct Handling of Warnings and Alarms

It is possible to select a professional receiver for triggered warnings and alarms that will receive alarms directly without the involvement of the end-user through SMS or e-mail. The recipient could be an insurance company, a 24/7 call centre or the coastguard depending on type of alarm, location and situation.

Installation

The C-Pod unit is installed by mounting it on a well-hidden and protected surface onboard the boat using the provided snap-on mounting bracket. The GSM antenna and the GPS antenna are connected to the bottom of the unit and the GPS antenna which is attached via an extension cord is mounted at a suitable position on the boat. The magnetic intrusion sensor is connected to the connection socket in the bottom part of the unit and mounted at suitable position on the boat (e.g. entrance). The alarm activation button is connected to the connection socket in the bottom part of the agent and mounted at a suitable (i.e. well-hidden but easily accessible) position on the boat.

The external power cable is connected to the onboard battery in one end and to the power input connector on the unit in the other. When the unit is powered-up the first time it is automatically installed on the server and ready to use.

Activation

When powered-up and connected to the GSM/GPRS network, the C-Pod unit sends an activation message to the C-Pod server. When the unit receives the first position from the GPS it immediately sends it to the server, thereby completing the activation of the C-Pod unit.

Registration

The C-Pod unit is registered by the end-user by sending the registration code provided with the unit to the C-Pod server via SMS. When the message has been received by the server, the mobile phone number of the end-user is connected to the C-pod unit and the mobile phone

number is registered as default receiver of any alarm or warning triggered. A confirmation is sent to the end-user which includes the status of the C-pod unit and a temporary user name and password to access the C-Pod web portal.