Vaisala Maritime Observation
System MAWS410
Features
• DesignedspecificallyforVOSand
VOSClimapplications
• Easyinstallationandquickdeployment
• Top-notchanti-corrosivedesignandEMC
characteristicsmeetingLloyd’sRegisterandIEC60945
requirements
• Built-indatavalidation
• Accuratetruewindcalculation
• Meetsrequirementsfordatacommunication
giveninNMEA0183andIEC1162-1
• SupportsFM13SHIP(FM13XII)SYNOP
andIMMT-3codeformatsaugmentedoptionally
withvisualobservations
• Real-timesatellitecommunicationlinkprovided
forthecodedmeteorologicaldatatobesentto
theglobal(GTS)network
To continue the success story of Vaisala shipboard automatic
weather stations the Vaisala Maritime Observation System
MAWS410 is now available as a Commercial-Off-The-Shelf
(COTS) product, providing easy installation and quick deploy-
ment. The hardware is specially designed to withstand the wet,
salty freeze and thaw that form part of everyday life aboard
ships and platforms.
Basic measurements
The basic weather parameters measured are wind speed
and direction (relative wind, true wind, upwind), atmospheric
pressure (QFF, QFE, QNH, pressure tendency) and air
temperature and humidity (dew point). The sensors are typically
installed on a tiltable 4-meter mast. The mast can be easily tilted
when maintaining or installing the sensors and other equipment
on the upper mast assembly. It is also easy to add additional
sensor measurements such as sea water temperature; rain &
sunshine duration; global & long wave radiation; precipitation
amount; cloud base & visibility.
Accurate true wind calculation
For the most accurate true wind calculation the vessel’s
own gyro compass and navigation system is used providing
the required heading and ship speed, direction and location
information. All the requirements for data communication
given in NMEA 0183 and IEC 1162-1 are fully supported. A GPS
receiver, Inmarsat-C satellite transceiver and electronic compass
are also available. No matter what communication systems you
use, the MAWS410 supports it – both external and on-board.
Built-in data validation
Built-in algorithms test each measurement to ensure data quality.
For each parameter, tests are carried out on the minimum,
maximum and step limits, and the different parameters are
crosschecked. When data is entered manually, quality checks
ensure that the operator does not enter incorrect values.
A built-in testing system also continuously checks the hardware,
reporting immediately if a fault occurs. An expansion memor y
for data storage is also available if not sent to an an cillary system
for further use or to be stored on the PC hard drive.
Advanced ship weather reports
The system processes, displays, stores and transmits fully
automated ship weather reports in the universal FM 13 SHIP (FM 13
XII) and IMMT-3 code formats around the globe, in real-time. These
reports can be augmented with visual observations entered prior
to transmission. Factors such as cloud type; past weather; weather
phenomena; waves and swell; as well as sea-ice and/or ice accretion
onboard are added using Vaisala Observation Console software,
built to the highest standards of usability and quality control.
