Can Your Boat Do This?

For many boat owners, leaving the marina doesn’t mean leaving the boat behind. A vessel sitting unattended at the dock can still develop problems, from a weakening battery or rising bilge water to unexpected movement. The challenge is knowing about those issues before they become serious.

That’s where connected-boat technology such as Siren Marine comes into play.

Siren’s system gives owners a way to monitor important aspects of their boat remotely through a smartphone. Depending on the equipment installed, the system can provide information on battery voltage, bilge activity, temperature, vessel location and other onboard conditions.

The benefit is more than convenience. An alert about a low battery, unusual bilge-pump activity or unexpected movement can give an owner an opportunity to investigate while there is still time to address the problem.

GPS tracking and geofencing add another layer of security. Owners can monitor their boat’s location and establish geographic boundaries, receiving an alert if the vessel moves outside the designated area. For a boat that spends much of its time at a marina, that can provide welcome reassurance between visits.

Siren 3 can also connect with a vessel’s NMEA 2000 network, allowing compatible systems and equipment to share information. Depending on the installation, owners can access additional data from the boat’s systems, while wireless sensors can expand monitoring capabilities without requiring extensive wiring throughout the vessel.

Remote access can be particularly valuable for owners who travel frequently or keep their boats at a distance from home. Instead of wondering whether everything is as it should be, they can check in from virtually anywhere with cellular connectivity.

A connected boat won’t eliminate every problem that can arise aboard, but it can shorten the distance between a developing issue and the person who needs to know about it.

For boat owners, that added awareness can mean fewer surprises—and more confidence that their vessel is ready for the next outing.