![Remote boat monitoring and security cameras Remote boat monitoring and security cameras](https://cdn.magzter.com/1387288621/1681222245/articles/2_nIsTy7P1681989169652/REMOTE-BOAT-MONITORING-AND-SECURITY-CAMERAS.jpg)
Some aspects of marine electronics have changed out of recognition over the past few years. Remote boat monitoring is one. With Zest, my partner's 36ft Rob Humphreys-designed one-off, for instance, we get an alert if the boat moves more than 6m (20ft) from her mooring, and low resolution still photographs are taken every 15 minutes, 24-hours a day.
Wireless intruder sensors on the main and fore hatches trigger a loud alarm, plus email and text messages. At the same time the system takes further photos, which are available immediately on both web and mobile apps.
We can also set alerts for heel angle, bilge levels and impact sensors that will detect another vessel colliding with her when moored. Even the batteries can be monitored in real time, so we can check whether the solar is charging correctly. Equally, it can be set up with an automated alert if the marina shore power connection is interrupted.
Yet this isn't a super-expensive futuristic system. It's an off the shelf product from Canadian company BRNKL that took me only a couple of hours to install, although fitting to a more complex boat that requires wiring to be run behind headlinings would take longer.
BRNKL unit and camera
The hardware cost was just over £1,000, plus a monthly subscription of £15. For all but the simplest and lowest value boats it's a small price to pay for the peace of mind it brings.
At the core of the system is a base unit with an accurate GPS, plus sensors for temperature and humidity, as well as an accelerometer/gyroscope for heel, pitch and motion/ impact. Batteries, bilge pump float switches and one external camera can be hard wired to this unit.
This story is from the June 2023 edition of Practical Boat Owner.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the June 2023 edition of Practical Boat Owner.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
![Sula's story Sula's story](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5181/1963491/bJQnwgwhn1738926390203/SULAS-STORY.jpg)
Sula's story
Julia Jones explains how an English yacht became a Scottish workboat and how a 120-year-old Crinan Ferry design was upcycled
![Sailing in the lap of the Gods Sailing in the lap of the Gods](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5181/1963491/svC5o3S_o1738926720650/SAILING-IN-THE-LAP-OF-THE-GODS.jpg)
Sailing in the lap of the Gods
Beyond GPS: divine assistance, suitable rites and a belt and braces multitheistic approach
![Boatbuilding college shuts downs Boatbuilding college shuts downs](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5181/1963491/V0RxadXyk1738923394279/BOATBUILDING-COLLEGE-SHUTS-DOWNS.jpg)
Boatbuilding college shuts downs
After 50 years of inspiring the next generation of traditional boatbuilders, the International Boatbuilding Training College -IBTC Lowestoft -is closing its doors for good.
![How to keep your boat in top condition How to keep your boat in top condition](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5181/1963491/KkfF4jASH1738925826076/HOW-TO-KEEP-YOUR-BOAT-IN-TOP-CONDITION.jpg)
How to keep your boat in top condition
The experts at boatcare on the importance of scheduled maintenance
![Do you really need an active radar reflector? Do you really need an active radar reflector?](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5181/1963491/4y0ujtoeA1738925552889/DO-YOU-REALLY-NEED-AN-ACTIVE-RADAR-REFLECTOR.jpg)
Do you really need an active radar reflector?
Simon Hampton-Matthews, chair of the Cruising Association's RATS committee, discusses radar reflectors and if they're still the best way to be seen on the water
![Saildrive maintenance Saildrive maintenance](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5181/1963491/TvAFU26r01738926194288/SAILDRIVE-MAINTENANCE.jpg)
Saildrive maintenance
Stu Davies shares his tips for making sure your boat's saildrive runs smoothly
![Cornish Shrimper 19 - Cape Cutter 19 | Hunter Liberty or Minstrel | Drascombe Coaster Cornish Shrimper 19 - Cape Cutter 19 | Hunter Liberty or Minstrel | Drascombe Coaster](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5181/1963491/T5spXUWfW1738923815002/CORNISH-SHRIMPER-19-CAPE-CUTTER-19-HUNTER-LIBERTY-OR-MINSTREL-DRASCOMBE-COASTER.jpg)
Cornish Shrimper 19 - Cape Cutter 19 | Hunter Liberty or Minstrel | Drascombe Coaster
Rupert Holmes looks into why this small, traditionally-styled cruiser remains so universally popular -and suggests some alternative boats that fulfill a similar brief
![Is foiling really the future of cruising? Is foiling really the future of cruising?](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5181/1963491/9skQOf0H_1738924400138/IS-FOILING-REALLY-THE-FUTURE-OF-CRUISING.jpg)
Is foiling really the future of cruising?
Foiling technology has revolutionised the world of sailboat racing, but can it make its way to cruising yachts too? Saša Fegić reports
![Warning to check your gas regulator! Warning to check your gas regulator!](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5181/1963491/sii2ct78n1738926812336/WARNING-TO-CHECK-YOUR-GAS-REGULATOR.jpg)
Warning to check your gas regulator!
PBO reader Alan Thorne suffered a harrowing lesson in the importance of using marine-grade gas regulators on board when a 'fireball' ignited.
![Weathering winter weather Weathering winter weather](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5181/1963491/vC-g3HlZU1738923513248/WEATHERING-WINTER-WEATHER.jpg)
Weathering winter weather
A handy guide to keeping warm and dry