Masthead Cameras

[Arcady]

A search through the archives returns little discussion on this subject later than about 2015. Good cheap cameras have moved on a lot since then. I'm interested to know whether anyone out there has experience of using a cheap, weatherproof fixed camera on the masthead. Does fouling make it ultimately unusable, or - with enough rainfall - does it reach a point where whilst not perfect, it's essentially self-cleaning?

I'm thinking of going off-piste in due course and the ability to spot rocks from above is appealing. I really can't be assed to haul myself up to the spreaders every time I need a better look...

 

[Daverw]

With the very short time between having to clean the cameras on my car, like every trip, I would think it would be impractical

 

[Rappey]

With 5 home security cameras and living on the edge of a harbour would say spiders cause the most problems, first its a Web then it holds dirt then a leaf ! .
They do get salty when wind is blasting across the harbour but in no time I guess it rained and they look clean again.
After a year I have never had to clean 4 of them and they are quite exposed.
One at the rear is home for the gardens spiders
Reversing camera on estate car, drive on a wet day and it goes very blurry, but next time I'm reversing it's clear again ? Maybe it's aero dynamics keeping it clean ?
These cameras are so cheap nowadays so I would say go for it as not a lot to lose if it goes bad.
I would also consider painting it white as being black could get extremely hot from the sun, expand / contract /leak ? Maybe that's a bit much. Haha.

 

[ryanroberts]

There are 'superhydrophobic' coatings for security camera mounts. Might not stop a determined seagull but.

Apparently used with panasonic dome cams, which are not exactly cheap but others may have similar features Panasonic WV-SFV781L vandal-resistant 4K dome IP camera

 

[[3889]]

Mast mounted cameras I've seen are on the lower spreaders, often one facing aft, one fwd, - within easy reach of the ship's boy.

 

[RichardS]

Video: view from top of the world (or at least the top of my mast)

Richard

 

[GHA]

I'm thinking of going off-piste in due course and the ability to spot rocks from above is appealing. I really can't be assed to haul myself up to the spreaders every time I need a better look...

You might well find satellite images as chart files are better and cheaper ....