What IS this thing?

[Durcott]

Hello All,

I took the mast down on my Newbridge Venturer yesterday. It had a curious looking 'anchor light' at the masthead. When I had a close look at it, it was pretty clear that it wasn't a light of any kind I recognised.

If anything, it looked like a security camera. But then, why only a power lead going to it? That would imply a camera with a WiFi device? You'd think that would find its way onto the inventory!

Note the red LED at the base of whatever this is.

Would anyone like to offer an opinion on what this thing is?

Jeff

 

[Poignard]

A guess: a strobe light.

 

[pete]

It looks like a security camera perhaps a dummy one ?
I have seen them with a small battery inside and a switch to turn the flashing light on and off (but it would not be very convenient to turn on and off up there)

 

[auditdata]

Its a Dome Pan Tilt Camera. Should have a controller some where in the boat.

 

[alant]

Hello All,

I took the mast down on my Newbridge Venturer yesterday. It had a curious looking 'anchor light' at the masthead. When I had a close look at it, it was pretty clear that it wasn't a light of any kind I recognised.

If anything, it looked like a security camera. But then, why only a power lead going to it? That would imply a camera with a WiFi device? You'd think that would find its way onto the inventory!

Note the red LED at the base of whatever this is.

Would anyone like to offer an opinion on what this thing is?

Jeff

CCTV?

 

[nimbusgb]

Pan and tilt webcam. Possibly as you say WiFi but could also be networked with power over the ethernet feed unless you are certain it is only fed by 2 wires.

Someone has made a nice job of it. If you have an multifunction plotter you could hook it up to the video feed

 

[Durcott]

Yes - as you say - nice job.

Hate to have to break it open just to see what's going on.

Jeff

 

[BlueChip]

Hello All,

I took the mast down on my Newbridge Venturer yesterday. It had a curious looking 'anchor light' at the masthead. When I had a close look at it, it was pretty clear that it wasn't a light of any kind I recognised.

If anything, it looked like a security camera. But then, why only a power lead going to it? That would imply a camera with a WiFi device? You'd think that would find its way onto the inventory!

Note the red LED at the base of whatever this is.

Would anyone like to offer an opinion on what this thing is?

Jeff

Are you sure it's only a 2 wire power lead. I have a camera up the mast that only uses three wires, thats 2 wires and a shield.

 

[auditdata]

It is very unlikely to be wifi.
It would have had at least...
1. 12v feed
2. Video out
3. Camera control 2 wires

It is common to have the video out and camera control in the same cable so I suspect this has been removed at some point. The marine environment is harsh and it would have to be at least IP67 to survive. Most are IP66 so my guess is it failed hence no mention on the inventory and wire and remote pan tilt removed from the nav station.
However I might be wrong

 

[VicS]

Just an beacon connected to an intruder alarm?

Whatever it is it looks as though your VHF aerial is broken off

 

[pappaecho]

How long have you owned the boat?
It begs the question as to why it would be fitted, when clearly you knew nothing about it?

 

[jimmcgee]

last owner has been spying on you , hope you dont sail in the buff

 

[nimbusgb]

It is very unlikely to be wifi.
It would have had at least...
1. 12v feed
2. Video out
3. Camera control 2 wires

It is common to have the video out and camera control in the same cable so I suspect this has been removed at some point. The marine environment is harsh and it would have to be at least IP67 to survive. Most are IP66 so my guess is it failed hence no mention on the inventory and wire and remote pan tilt removed from the nav station.
However I might be wrong

I have a WiFi webcam with pan and tilt control ( over the wifi ) that only needs 2 wires. 12v and ground.

 

[auditdata]

I have a WiFi webcam with pan and tilt control ( over the wifi ) that only needs 2 wires. 12v and ground.

Yes that is certainly possible now but you are forgetting the type and age.

 

[Durcott]

Well - thanks for all those suggestions folks.

It must have been put on several years ago, yet it appears to be in perfect condition. (Whatever it is). I've decided I've no need for a camera on the mast, so I'll probably retrieve it

Jeff

 

[Paddy_N_Murphy]

Leave it place if it is a Camera surely ?

Could be bloody handy to have an eye in the sky>>>>>

 

[Billjratt]

If the boat is used in a sea-misty area, it (the camera) could be there for a very good reason. Perhaps it was originally interfaced to one of the smarter plotters (like a Garmin) which allows a video window as part of the display. The previous owner may have kept the expensive bit.
We felt the need for such a device - or a crows-nest (like the Endurance 35s have) when we were in the Med, where the dense fog isn't actually very deep.
I could do with one on our motor-sailer, as I can't see the pontoon from the wheelhouse....

 

[prv]

We felt the need for such a device - or a crows-nest (like the Endurance 35s have) when we were in the Med

I was intrigued by the idea of a yacht with a crow's nest, but googling Endurance 35 doesn't show anything unusual in the rig department?

Pete

 

[Billjratt]

They were made near where we berthed in Alicante, and many had a stainless steel crows-nest at the spreaders, with wooden rungs on one set of lowers. Don't think any of my pics show an example. We just got used to seeing them.

 

[prv]

They were made near where we berthed in Alicante, and many had a stainless steel crows-nest at the spreaders, with wooden rungs on one set of lowers. Don't think any of my pics show an example. We just got used to seeing them.

Sounds fun

Pete