CCTV on boat for security

[mil1194]

Has anybody ever seen or had CCTV on their boat to try and keep toerags from 'walking off' with bits? I am serious thinking of putting on mine while its in bits and can hide the cabling etc. I have been able to find some VERY low power camera that can do the job and was just interested in other peoples thoughts...

 

[aquatom]

Hello.

I have seen some boats with CCTV. Are you able to get Internet where you are berthed? There are some good systems that can be remotely viewed. Nokia also do a remote camera that take a mobile phone sim card and text you a photo as soon as anyone moves past the infrared sensor. I believe best deterent is to make it look like someone is on the boat.

 

[EugeneR]

For it to be effective in preventing intruders coming to your boat, it needs to be clearly visible and cover all possible approaches / entrances e.g. front hatches, etc.

Can you give more details about the camera you are thinking about?

 

[mil1194]

We supply and install a lot of 'fixed' cameras for companies. We tend to take two approaches - either make it blatantly obvious there are cameras there and working - big and ugly and lots of signs - OR as discreet as possible (covert) if there has been a problem previously and actually want to obtain evidence the next time it happens. I agree completely re the making it look like someone is onboard but if someone is watching your boat because they actually want something off it then it makes it more and more tricky making sure that it looks like there is someone there if they aren't! We would have wireless internet when she's back in the water so the remote viewing would be perfect - also the system I have in mind will SMS me when motion is detected and then I can log in and see whats going on (in theory....)

 

[mil1194]

I was thinking along the lines of this - but not specifically - http://www.spycameracctv.com/spycamera/spy-pinhole-camera-hidden-380tvl-cmos - for a couple of the cameras - just one in cockpit and one in the forward cabin.

 

[EugeneR]

We would have wireless internet when she's back in the water so the remote viewing would be perfect - also the system I have in mind will SMS me when motion is detected and then I can log in and see whats going on (in theory....)

This is what I would prefer as well; it is more evidence orientated and may not prevent a loss in the first place. What is your main objective, prevention, recording or both?

It would be interesting to get motion detection right, there are quite a lot of "normal" movements around a boat especially if, like me, you want to protect the dinghy on the swim platform. Could you also trigger it using some other mechanism e.g. the dinghy moving, etc?

 

[mil1194]

I havn't got an exact plan in my head yet - just that we have access to all the bits, the boat is in bits, and we are gizmo/gadget freaks! Being as we can do all the labour/planning ourselves then it seems silly not to do it if it can be done at a reasonably sensible price! I DON'T want to cover the boat in 'warning CCTV signs' as it'll look a ******* mess - but if something did go missing then I would like a picture of the thieving toerag(s)..... The motion bit does need a bit of thinking about but I'm not worried TOO much about TOO many false alarms inthe beginning - I'll just increase the motion detect level as needed - or even a simple switch on doors into cabin could send off the SMS.....I'd rather a few false alarms so I knew the system was working rather than none and assume all was well only to find on my next visit all I'd have was an empty shell!!!!