The Spin-Yacht alarm module integrates all of its functions within a handful of displays. It allows you to make the most of the broad range of possibilities that programmable logic controllers (PLC’s) offer for the care and service of a yacht. Salvador Doménech.

To be able to count on a proper monitoring and management system for the various alarm situations that can occur on board benefits a yacht’s safety and greatly aids the captain, or any other person in charge, in carrying out daily functions. Even though the regulations only require a system of this sort in yachts of over 24 meters in length, any yacht with a certain level of complexity tends to resort to some type of assistance in this sense. The Spin-Yacht system alarm module collects varied information by way of a network of sensors arranged throughout the boat and presents this information with the help of an easy-to-use interface, a screen display software through which it is also possible to send specific commands to various types of equipment. An interesting aspect of this screen display interface is that it can also project closed circuit television images from the engine room or the yacht’s perimeter. A prime example, the system that we will look at here centers on essential aspects of the bilge pumps in different independent areas of the boat, gray and black water tank levels, the yacht’s navigation lights and hydraulic pressure in the rigging rams, providing an alternative means to interact with the equipment, the generators and the exterior lighting sources from one same point. In this specific case there are two control screen displays, one at the chart table and another integrated into the starboard pedestal. It is a custommade configuration in accordance with the yacht’s necessities and carried out at the skipper’s suggestion which, as it is based on standard PLC+SCADA elements, is capable of being modified or of becoming more extensive in the future. The application of an economy-minded principle is seen here in its present configuration thanks to which the number of screen displays and the use of analogical and digital input and output modules have been kept to a minimum. As an example, it can be emphasized that thanks to this implantation the exterior lighting display has been eliminated, this being a typical source of problems due to the aggressiveness of the marine environment, and the quality of information that traditional systems supplied has been improved.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION
The application is star ted by clicking on a direct access icon situated on your desktop. Optionally, it can be included in the Windows Start menu and be configured to start automatically each time you turn on your PC. Once the SCADA application is running the main display will appear on the screen, which can also be minimized. The Scada program resides in the yacht’s PC’s. The communication between the PC’s and the PLC is carried out by means of an ethernet network with the elements of this network being connected through a switch located beside the PLC. In order for the PC’s and the PLC to be properly connected, they should be configured with the specified IP addresses. In order for the Scada program licenses to function properly, a USB key should be installed in each PC. Connected to the PLC are sensors whose change of state is used to set off an alarm. The PLC program is the one that detects changes and filters them, eliminating any false readings. If the program determines that the change of state is valid, the corresponding alarm is generated. The outputs necessary to control the lights, generators and discharge pumps for the water tanks are also connected to the PLC. In addition to the digital signals, five analogical signals corresponding to hydraulic pressures are connected to the PLC. The PLC and the screen display communicate to each other. The alarm information is transmitted from the PLC to the screen display. As soon as the PLC detects an alarm, it is reflected in a graph. A lighted indicator is displayed and the alarm is summarized in an entry in the table of alarms.

MONITORING APPLICATION
At the top of all the screen displays are the buttons to use when changing to the other screen displays. By touching the corresponding area the rest of the application’s displays can be accessed.These screen displays are: main, gray/black water system and bilge pumps, generators and lights, hydraulic system and alarms. The button corresponding to the activated display is shown in blue.The date and hour of the system are seen on the main screen display. The button used to close the application and return to the operating system via user confirmation is also seen on this screen display. In addition to the screen display presentation, the alarms are represented using lighted indicators connected directly to the PLC. One indicator corresponds to each alarm .The indicators are illuminated as long as the alarm remains activated. Two more signals are used to warn of an alarm : a blinking light and an acoustic warning. As soon as an alarm goes off, the blinking light and acoustic warning are activated simultaneously. One of the PLC’s inputs is meant to be connected to a button to acknowledge the alarms. If the button is pushed, the acoustic warning is shut off and the blinking light stops blinking and becomes steady. This light remains activated until the cause of the alarm disappears. In the Scada application the alarm button on the menu indicates that there is an alarm activated. If the button is red, there is an alarm activated. If it is blinking, the alarm has not yet been acknowledged. On the alarm screen display there is an alarm acknowledgement button which serves the same purpose as that of the external button. In the diagrams, the alarms are represented by means of a blinking red frame around the signal that caused the alarm.