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Best Boat Security Systems and Cameras for 2024

Siren 3 Boat Monitoring System

Spot Trace Alert Tracking System

As a boat owner, you didn’t invest in your boat just so you could have it stolen, right? Whether it’s a few hundred bucks for an old fishing boat and hundreds of thousands for a yacht , you have every right to protect what’s yours. That means a solid security system to keep it safe when you’re not around. Let’s take a look at some of the best marine security systems.

If you’re looking for a serious and reliable security system for your boat, then the Siren 3 Pro from Siren Marine has to be on your radar. You’re going to pay a few more dollars for this than your knock off system that can be found on Amazon, but it’s worth it.

As long as you have a mobile device, and who doesn’t these days, the Siren 3 system allows you to monitor, track and even control your vessel remotely. You can keep an eye on critical functions such as how your bilge is holding up and what your battery life looks like.

The GPS locator ensures you always know where your vessel is. This allows for tracking if it either gets stolen or maybe your brother takes it out for the day and doesn’t come back on time.

Onboard controls can be wired to the system as well through two outputs. This can allow you to turn the lights on and off as you desire. You can even turn the AC on before you arrive so you have a cooled down boat before heading out for the day.

There are 9 hardwired inputs and you can connect to up to 15 sensors, but you need to buy those separately. You can mix and match with things like motion sensors, pull sensors and so on to ensure maximum security and coverage.

• Buy on sirenmarine   →
• Buy on Walmart   →

If you’re looking to meld a great price with great technology, Spot Trace has what you need. Keep in mind, this is not a security system but a tracking system, and we recommend you use both pieces of technology together. A great security system can absolutely prevent theft. However, if something happens and your vessel does get stolen, what next? That’s where Spot Trace comes in.

If your boat moves when it’s not supposed to you’ll instantly receive a notification in the form of an email or a text message. You will then be able to track the progress and position of your boat in real time with Google Maps. No matter where the boat goes, you’ll have updated information on location that can be shared with law enforcement to ensure you get your boat returned as fast as possible.

Tracking is customizable and you can receive updates every 60 minutes or up to every 2.5 minutes if you wish. It works fairly simply upon activation. Spot Trace uses GPS coordinates it receives from the satellite network to determine your boat’s position. It then relays those coordinates to your device.

The system is able to alter you when batteries are low or even when it’s turned off in case someone found it. The units are small and can be discreetly placed on your boat where a thief is unlikely to find them. Mounting brackets or double-sided tape can be used.

Pairing the unit with Spot Trace’s service ensures peace of mind when you have your boat at the dock. The basic services allows for tracking, movement alerts and more. Upgraded tracking ensures that update every 2.5 minutes for the most precise tracking available. This does require entering into a contract with the company, however.

Coverage is available nearly all over the world in offshore areas though inland in places like Asia and Africa may not be available. Battery life while tracking varies depending on functionality but can last anywhere from 3.5 to as much as 156 days.

• Buy on Findmespot   →

Garmin GC 100 Wireless Boat Security Camera

Finding good quality marine cameras is sometimes harder than you’d think. Amazon is full of knock off indoor/outdoor cameras but they are not made for marine use. You can likely get away with an outdoor camera on your boat for a while. But is it the best choice? Likely not. The issue is, of course, the potential moisture not to mention salt a boat camera may have to endure. They need to be tougher than a backyard camera and that’s where Garmin comes in. Garmin works in the marine field and their cameras are designed for this environment.

The GC 100 is a compact camera designed to monitor both interior and exterior of a boat. It can be connected wirelessly to a chartplotter so you can see what the camera sees right away. Any other one on the same network can also hook up to the camera feed. Up to 4 cameras can be viewed simultaneously.

One of the highlights of the GC 100 is that it’s designed to operate in total darkness. That means you can monitor the deck in the dead of night. But, of potential more use, is that you can monitor places like the engine room, no lights required.

Set up is simple and quick. The cameras work wirelessly. The device is hardwired for power. Once installed, it’s literally good to go at the push of a button. The Wi-fi range is 70 meters or about 230 feet. The night vision ability is good for around 3 meters or about 9 feet.

• Buy on Garmin   →

TH Marine Two-Way Boat Alarm

At 128 decibels, no one is going to ignore the alarm of the TH Marine two-way boat alarm when it goes off. You can be alerted up to 3000 yards off when the alarm is activated. It can also transmit up to 1000 yards.

The shock sensor has an adjustable sensitivity setting so you can make tweaks to prevent false alarms, especially if you’re in choppier waters. There are five sensitivity levels and the default is level three.

The alarm system offers three levels of protection and deterrence. The blaring and impossible to ignore sound is one. But the system also offers vibration and light as well to ensure security. Once hooked up to your deck lights they can flash while the alarm sounds. This is very effective at scaring off would be intruders while also allowing others to quickly identify where the problem is when coming to help if need be.

The main engine is waterproof and installation is fairly simple. You can also rest assured that TH Marine offers great customer service if you have any issues. The company has a proven track record of friendly and fast service if any issues pop up.

• Buy on Thmarinesupplies   →

Siren Marine Boat Alarm

When you need something cheap and effective, the Siren Marine alarm may be your best bet. Not a lot of frills and gimmicks here, it’s just a loud alarm. The sound reaches 101 decibels so it’s pretty much impossible to miss when it goes off. The system connects with a single wire in just seconds making installation easy and trouble free.

Because it’s just a simple alarm, it obviously only works when you’re in range. So if your boat is tied up at a home dock or somewhere nearby, this could be ideal. The motion sensor function will trip the alarm if anything moves around in range. The alarm can also be functional when you’re on the boat. It can be set up to detect the presence of water. So if you’re on deck and there’s a problem below, the alarm can notify you before it gets out of hand.

The alarm is easy to use. It can be connected to a Siren Marine app which allows you to switch the alarm on and off. That makes it convenient if it goes off by accident or if you want to set it off for a specific reason. The same app can be used to set it to different modes, like the motion sensor function we already mentioned. It can also be set on a schedule.

Arguably one of the best selling points of the Siren Marine boat alarm is the price. Some of the most complicated security systems can be very expensive as we’ve seen. But if you’re just looking to keep a simple boat safe in a simple boat way, this could be a great option.

The plastic housing is sturdy and also waterproof. The wiring is set for any 12V-80V DC power source. One thing to be aware of is that this needs to be used in conjunction with an MTC or “monitor, track and control” system, like the Siren 3.

• Buy on Sirenmarine   →

Skippers Wireless Boat Security System

The wireless boat security system from Skippers offers a decent system for a decent price. We wouldn’t recommend using this to keep your million dollar yacht secure. But if you have a small fishing boat and you want to add a layer of protection, this is a great choice.

The system is very similar to home security ones you may be familiar with. Once armed, the red light flashes to let you know it’s secure. It also offers a good visual deterrent to would-be thieves.

Connect to a 12 V DC power source to ensure proper functioning and longer life. There is a battery backup in the keypad but it is just that, a backup. Comes with a keyfob remote, motion sensors, and two door/hatch sensors as well. You can set up four programmable zones as well.

The motion sensors can be a little sensitive so you may want to adjust their field of view. Because you’re on the water, if things get choppy the sensors can and will pick up the motion. The potential for false alarms is there so keep that in mind. Often, a simple piece of tape obscuring just a part of the sensor can help narrow the field and prevent this. The process can be trial and error. It all depends on how you mount the sensors, of course.

The alarm is remarkably loud. If you want something you’ll hear at a distance, this one has you covered. Also means that any potential thieves are going to get nervous quickly when it goes off.

Make sure you test the batteries when the system arrives. Though it comes with some, they may not be the best quality. We recommend buying new batteries just in case. The batteries in the key fob are pre-installed but they may be old and dead or near dead.

If you want a system that looks professional and will deter would-be thieves as much by the appearance as the actual function, this could be the one for you.

 Amazon  →

Things to Remember About Your Security System

How you use a boat security system really depends on what you hope to get out of it. Some systems, as we can see, are much more expensive than others. But that’s true of boats as well. There’s little need to use a $1000 system on an old fishing boat only worth a few hundred dollars. Likewise, you may want to secure an expensive yacht with some top of the line advanced technology and not a knock off brand.

Do You Need Boat Security Cameras?

You’ll notice many of the systems we included do not have cameras. This is really a personal choice as to whether you think they are necessary. A camera can be a great help but it needs to be marine grade. If you’re using a home security camera it may not be up to task. Especially if you use your boat in saltwater. They just can’t handle the harsh conditions.

Cameras can offer more than just security. A camera to monitor your engine room, for instance, isn’t about deterring thieves. This is to ensure the smooth and safe running of your vessel. So it’s worth considering what you can get the most benefit from.

Are Wireless Boat Security Systems Best?

Cheap wireless technology has scared off a lot of people in the past. Bad signal strength and spotty performance may have made you afraid to trust in wireless. Make sure you’re buying quality products and you should see their performance is definitely up to snuff. Wireless is often of great importance on a boat. The fewer wires you have around the better. Most systems will require hardwiring into the power source. But after that, cameras and sensors that work wirelessly are a great feature. Not only do they mean less clutter, they are easier to place. If you need to move things around, doing so without the burden of wires is a consideration to keep in mind.

In terms of power supply, always make sure you know how the system needs to be wired. Basic boat electrical work doesn’t have to be hard but it can be challenging. Most systems should be compatible with the power supply on your vessel but double check. This is especially true if you’re buying a system manufactured in another country. Power needs and connections may not be what you’re expecting.

A security system can potentially offer numerous features. Decide on which ones work bets for you depending on the needs and challenges you’re dealing with. For instance, a loud siren may not be the most helpful feature if no one is anywhere near where your boat is docked. If no one can hear an alarm, it doesn’t do much good.

Likewise, motion detectors can be a great help but they may need to be adjusted. If your boat starts moving in the waves, you don’t want the security system to go off every time this happens. Make sure you’re getting a system that has some flexibility. You want to be able to adjust your motion sensors, not just in terms of installation location but sensitivity.

Systems that don’t just set off sounds but lights are also a good idea. Sometimes an alarm can be disabled fairly quickly if someone sees where it is and tears out a wire or knocks it down. But when a security system is also linked to the lights, it’s harder to deal with. Plus it makes your boat even more noticeable while exposing potential thieves.

App Functions

Gone are the days of just replying on a camera to record the scene to a VCR or an alarm that blares mindlessly. Nowadays, any good security system should be able to connect over a network as long as you have an internet connection. That means you should be able to use an app of some kind to link your system with your phone, tablet or computer. These allow greater peace of mind because you can monitor what’s going on in real time and even make adjustments for some systems.

Most people don’t look at security as a before and after, but you should. An alarm is a great “before” security device, but tracking is good for after. If the alarm is disable or otherwise doesn’t manage to scare off a thief, then your boat can be stolen. Once it’s taken, you need to focus on the “after.” That’s where tracking comes in. Just because a thief got your boat doesn’t mean it can’t be saved.

Tracking devices can be discreet and offer accurate, rapid tracking using GPS. This information can help you track a boat with your cell phone whether it was stolen by a thief or even if it’s just out late. If a friend or relative is out longer than they should be, a tracker can be invaluable in figuring out where they’ve gone. And if a thief has the boat, the tracker data can be given to law enforcement or harbor patrol.

The Bottom Line

Security systems can let you keep track of your boat, its systems, and its location. They can prevent thefts and help retrieve stolen property. In the end they’re about securing your vessel and ensuring you get to keep enjoying it. Do you need a security system? No. But we definitely think you should invest in one all the same.

My grandfather first took me fishing when I was too young to actually hold up a rod on my own. As an avid camper, hiker, and nature enthusiast I'm always looking for a new adventure.

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Last updated on May 9, 2021

A boat is a sizeable investment. And as such must be kept safe at all times. You obviously can’t monitor it 24/7 but a boat security system certainly can. For those times you leave your boat unattended at a dock or at anchor, a boat security system will be “your eyes”.

The endless misfortunes that can befall your boat range from fires to thefts and collisions. By installing a security system, you’ll have first hand evidence of any unusual occurrences on your boat.

But note that these systems aren’t only for monitoring your boat from afar—even use it when onboard.

Does this sound like something you definitely need? Let’s have a look at our top recommendations that you can pick from.

Types of Security Systems

We’ll start by outlining that there are different types of systems. We list them below:

• Local alarm: This system is designed to alert people onboard or nearby of any disturbances to your boat. 
• Remote alarm: What happens if you’re not near the boat? This system will alert an owner of any suspicious activities happening on your boat even if you’re far away. Notification is done either via text, email or SMS.
• Interactive: This type goes beyond merely notifying the owner. It also allows you to immediately respond to a situation.

Top 5 Best Boat Alarm Systems and Tracking Devices

1. skippers wireless boat security system.

First off, you’ll be impressed by how easy this unit is to set up. This is largely because it’s a wireless security system so no wiring is necessary to install the gadget.

Not only is it easy to install, but simple to use too. The intuitive keypad controller allows you to easily program the unit to your desired function. And it comes with four programmable modes.

This Skippers device displays a red flashing light which indicates that the system is armed and ready to start surveillance.

The alarm on this boat security system is pretty loud. You’re bound to hear it from a distance. The siren is designed to sound for three minutes before it shuts off.

For this system to function it needs to be connected to 12V DC power. It comes with two Energizer batteries located in the keypad but note that they are largely for back-up only. And these batteries will last you anything between six months to a year.

Generally the device is quite sturdy. But avoid exposing it to water because though it’s moisture proof it’s not waterproof.

• Very loud siren
• Easy to install
• Not waterproof
• Slightly expensive

2. Spot Trace

Before exploring the specs, we’ll quickly point out how relatively inexpensive this unit is. The system is designed to monitor the boat’s surroundings and you can view footage online on your mobile phone in real time.

If there are any suspicious movements near or around your boat, you’re immediately sent a notification. Alerts are sent via email or SMS.

The device is battery powered. And you’ll appreciate how the battery is designed to last for at least two months before the next charge. When the battery is low—or if the device has powered off—you’ll also receive a notification.

With this system, you’ll receive a daily status message that assures you of your boat’s safety. Aside from being affordable, this system is also very easy to use.

The system is negatively affected by weather. Rain is interpreted as suspicious movements resulting in a false alarm. Also, note that it’s not waterproof so avoid submerging it in water; you’re not likely to receive a signal if this happens.

• Daily status message
• Weather related false alarms

3. Trak-4 GPS Tracker

Here is yet another boat security system that’s also easy to use. Upon installation, tracking will start in a matter of minutes. If there’s any suspicious activity picked up by the surveillance, you’ll immediately receive a notification via email or text.

This system is one of the cheapest on our list which is a plus. But note that you have to pay monthly subs to access hourly pings. The terms of purchasing this unit are pretty flexible. You don’t need a contract and there are no activation or cancellation fees.

You’ll enjoy unlimited cellular data with this system. And you can access surveillance footage via your mobile phone or tablet.

The device lasts up to 18 months on a single charge which is very impressive. It’s powered by a rechargeable battery which you can recharge using a USB cable or your regular phone charger.

The system is weatherproof; you can use it both indoors and outdoors. Installation is relatively simple. Our only concern is with the mounting holes that are rather small so you can’t use large screws. But nonetheless it’s an excellent product that works well.

• Long battery life
• Weather proof
• Sturdy & compact design
• Mounting holes small
• Doesn’t track in real time

4. Siren Marine MTC2 Wireless Boat Monitoring & Security System

The Siren Marine wireless boat security system is pretty easy to install. Like most systems on our list, this model is designed to track and monitor your boats surroundings. It has not one but two sensors included which will trigger the alarm if any movement is detected in and around your boat.

Features present on this system include GPS tracking as well as geo-fencing. This way you know where your boat is at all times. The unit features a functionality that’s designed to monitor if the system is functioning as it should.

This device allows you to control different systems on the boat from afar. Systems you can control include the air conditioner and lights.

But to enjoy all these impressive features you’ll have to pay a lot more because this boat security system is rather pricy.

• Control different systems from a distance

5. Reolink Go 1080p 3G/4G GSM Outdoor Mobile Cellular Security Camera

This wireless system is powered by a 7800mAh high capacity rechargeable battery. And the long lasting battery life is one of the product’s huge draw cards. If ever you don’t want to run out of power, then you can use it with the solar panel which is sold separately.

The system features a smart sensor that’s designed to detect movements. If any motion is picked up, the siren is sounded and you’re immediately notified via email or text. You have the option of customizing your own voice alert to deter the intruder as opposed to the siren. This is thanks to the integrated microphone and speaker that allow for two way communication.

You can view images and recorded videos clearly—even at night—thanks to the Starlight night vision feature. The camera has an impressive 110ᵒ field of view that allows you to view a wider angle of your boat’s surroundings.

Since the product is from China, technical support is very difficult to access.

• Expandable storage
• Excellent night images
• Voice alerts
• Reasonably priced
• Poor technical support
• Difficult to install

Boat Security System Buying Guide

Powering the systems.

From the above it’s clear that there are several options when it comes to powering boat security systems. Boat security systems are either powered by:

• Rechargeable batteries which vary with regards to operational time span. Lithium rechargeable batteries are however designed to last long so keep that in mind when shopping.
• A solar panel is another option although whether your system can use it depends on the brand in question. Needless to say, with solar panels, your chances of running out of power are minimal.
• DC battery banks , with 12V DC power supplies being among the most common power supplies on the market. Their popularity is largely based on their impressive stability and reliability.

Boat security systems have different kinds of sensors. We’ll discuss the common two types below:

• Motion sensor: As the name suggests, this type is responsible for detecting any movement that occurs on and near your boat. It can either be armed—or disarmed—using a remote.
• Door/hatch alarm: This type is designed to monitor if a door or hatch on your boat is opened or closed to deter intruders. If a door is opened, the siren sounds off. Usually no hardwiring is required with this type of sensor.

Regardless of the one you pick make sure it’s only designed to pick up suspicious motion signals and not other harmless activities such as rainfall or moving rodents. This only results in an increasing number of false alarms which can be rather annoying.

Sensors that significantly reduce the risk of false alarms are designed to exclude body mass. This means they’ll only trigger the alarm if the object detected falls above a certain weight.

Also note that a high quality sensor will notify you if the battery is near depletion so that you can take corrective measures.

Sirens and Alarms

After movements or suspicious activities are detected by sensors on the boat security systems, the siren or alarm immediately sounds.

You need to consider how loud the alarm is. You want one that you can hear from a distance if you’re not on board your water craft.

You’ll also need to consider the duration the alarm will sound for. Most sirens and alarms on boat security systems are built into the unit’s keypad & battery powered.

The tracking aspect on your security system which includes GPS helps you keep tabs on your boat when you’re not close by. You’ll always know exactly where your boat is.

Here you insert hidden devices on your watercraft where you can set up geo-fencing around your boat. This way you can track your boat’s location via satellite if it happens to go past its geo fence.

Depending on the boat security system you pick, you can receive mobile notifications regarding your boat’s location. Other manufacturers designed their systems to allow you to view your boat and its surroundings on your phone in real time. 

It’s important to consider the storage capacity on your boat security system. Preferably you must opt for one with a sizeable storage capacity to store all footage recorded.

Does it store captured videos locally or in the cloud? Both have advantages and disadvantages. Buying a system that only allows you to store videos locally is very risky. If any sort of damage occurs to the unit, you risk losing all recorded footage. In addition, the amount of footage that can be stored is limited. You’ll have to delete videos to make space for new ones.

With local storage you can only access footage if your devices are nearby. But your footage will be fully under your control with no third party interference.

Opting for a system that allows you to store in the cloud is ideal. Footage is backed up and can be retrieved at a later day when necessary. However note that you can only access this information when you have an internet connection. And since you’re entrusting a third party to store your videos, there’s also risk of security breach.

Connection and Subscription Plans

As stated above, with certain boat security systems you can only access footage if you have internet access. What happens if you don’t? There are manufacturers who design their security systems to allow you to access recorded information without Wi-Fi. The latter may be more ideal if you’re going to be viewing from a place with no internet access.

Aside from connection, some security systems have subscription plans in place to fully access the device’s full functionality. Only after paying monthly or annual premiums can you receive functions such as hourly pings.

Final Thoughts

Granted a boat security system won’t stop your boat from capsizing or sinking but you can certainly keep track of it. In the event of theft you’ll have footage of the culprit which increases your chances of finding it. In addition, any collisions that happen are captured first hand on camera.

Take care of your investment. This certainly sounds like a system every boat owner must have don’t you agree? 

About the author   Robert Finn

Robert has over 20 years of experience boating and selling boat equipment. His passion for the latest and greatest gear helps our clients find what they need. His favorite boating place is the Florida Keys.

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Boat Alarms: A Watchful Eye from Afar

• By Tony Bessinger
• Updated: September 21, 2012

Although you might wish otherwise, you simply can’t spend all your time on board your boat. Unavoidably, it must sit unattended at a dock, on a mooring, or at anchor. At those times, you worry about all the things that boat owners worry about: leaks, fires, break-ins, theft, collisions with other boats, and the countless other misfortunes that can befall your vessel. However, in this marvelous age of the Internet, mobile phones, and GPS, there are many boat security systems that let you keep an eye on your boat from afar.

On a recent delivery from Charleston, South Carolina, to Newport, Rhode Island, aboard the original Gunboat 62, Tribe , I was fascinated by a recently installed bit of technology: three video cameras hooked up to the boat’s satellite communications system that allowed the owner to keep an eye on things from the comfort of his home, his office, or anywhere else that his laptop or smartphone could be connected to the Internet. One camera was focused on the bows; another, on the aft cockpit; the third captured the main saloon, including the steering station. He also had access to any data that the boat gathered via the electronics suite, including lat/long, wind speed and direction, course heading, and depth. While this may seem like overkill for some, it’s a great example of how you can keep track of what goes on aboard even if you’re not there.

Depending upon how much you want to spend (not only on gear, but also on cell or satellite data fees), such security systems range from simple to incredibly complex. Most of the systems we researched rely on cellular or satcom data networks. While they all rely on such networks (or a combination of both), the amount of data varies from simple text-based boat alarms and GPS positions to video feeds. You’ll need to carefully consider where your boat will be and if you really must have worldwide coverage.

| |If your boat is moved without your approval, the SPOT HUG satellite system tracks your boat’s position and notifies SPOT headquarters.|

As for specific systems, many sailors are familiar with the SPOT satellite system, which has become very popular as an inexpensive way to inform shoreside contacts on position updates and onboard-status reports. The company has recently introduced SPOT HUG , which uses the same satellite technology and offers the same features as the basic SPOT unit. In addition, SPOT HUG (from $500) will track your boat’s position, and its boat alarm will notify SPOT headquarters if your boat is moved from a set position without your approval. The system can also accept input from up to four sensors, including high-water bilge alarms and motion and smoke detectors. As it utilizes its own satellite system, the HUG doesn’t require you to maintain a cellular data connection.

| |The cellular-based BoatNanny system consists of a base station connected to a remote sensor with a float switch.|

Another basic but comprehensive boat security system is the BoatNanny , which offers a cellphone-based solution consisting of a base station with a T-Mobile SIM card connected to a remote sensor having a float switch. The base unit can be powered by 120-volt AC or by your boat’s 12-volt system, and it has a backup battery pack consisting of four AA batteries. The BoatNanny (from $1,255) monitors temperature and motion, includes AC/DC loss-of-power sensors, and can be hooked into a boat’s existing smoke-detector system. You can also call the base station and listen to what’s going on in the cabin. The remote unit, which connects wirelessly to the base station, is mounted in the engine room and has a high- and low-temperature sensor and an attached float switch that can be mounted in the bilge. When an alarm goes off, the base unit sends a text message to the numbers you designate. The BoatNanny uses the globally accepted GSM cellular data system, which in the United States costs you about $10 a month. You must activate the SIM card, or, for an additional fee, the BoatNanny folks can pre-load it.

| |The elaborate Marine Guard Security system employs hard-wired and wireless components.|

Marine Guard Security offers a more elaborate system that covers many of the BoatNanny bases but also includes intruder alerts. Marine Guard’s system (from $700), which requires a more complex installation, uses hard-wired and wireless components and relies on contact switches attached to hatches and doors, pressure sensors, and infrared motion sensors. In addition to a cellphone-based alert system, Marine Guard also offers a satellite-based option that works where cell coverage is absent. In addition, you can also set up a Geo-Fence, a virtual barrier that monitors the boat’s location with GPS and alerts you if the boat is moved outside of a set boundary and tracks its speed, heading, and lat/long. Other options include high-water and smoke/heat alarms, and alert sirens.

| |With the GOST Xtreme Mini Dome low-light stainless-steel camera installed, you can monitor activity via the Internet.|

Global Ocean Security Technologies offers a wide variety of monitoring systems (from $1,000) that perform all of the same tasks as the systems already mentioned. It also can include one or more high-definition cameras , a dedicated webpage for your boat through which you can monitor the camera or cameras and other data, and worldwide alerts via the Inmarsat Isat M2M service. ( Tribe employed the GOST system paired with KVH broadband.) GOST can also incorporate a digital video recorder to store security footage from the cameras. GOST has several different packages available, including a system for tenders that can immobilize an outboard engine.

| |Cobra’s expandable system is based on its C-pod remote sensor.|

Cobra offers an expandable system based on its C-pod sensor, which incorporates two antennas, one for GPS and one for GSM cellular networks. The Cobra system (the base system costs $500, and each add-on costs about $100) can track the boat’s location and send alarm information via text message to your mobile phone. The C-pod can support up to 12 sensors, including a high-water alarm, an intrusion alert, and smoke detectors. It can also be used to remotely start such equipment as heaters and refrigerators.

The system from Boatalarms.us (from $850) incorporates all of the same features of other GSM-based systems, but with a twist: All of its components are mounted with two-sided adhesive tape, which facilitates do-it-yourself installations. Another neat option is its Wire Loop Protection Sensor , which can be attached to an outboard motor or any other easily removed item; when the wire is cut or broken, the alarm goes off. Got pets, but want to have a motion alarm live when you’re sleeping? No problem. Boatalarms.us also offers a specially tuned motion sensor that only reacts to moving creatures that weigh more than 85 pounds.

Siren Marine debuted its security and monitoring systems in Rhode Island at last fall’s Newport International Boat Show, and those who’ve used it report that it’s an affordable option laden with features. The Siren Pixie , the company’s least expensive option (from $500) is a cellular-based system that offers high-water and battery-level alarms, and a low-battery alert as well as a tamper sensor, GPS tracking, and geo-fence capabilities.

Your personal security and alarm needs will ultimately determine the complexity of the system that you choose to install. Almost all of the systems can support alarms for high water, smoke, power loss, motion detection, hatch or door openings, and freezing temperatures, pretty much covering all of the bad things that can happen to your boat. With the more complex systems, you can listen in on intruders and even view them on a live video feed. You can disable your boat’s engine, shut off power, and command lights to flash and sirens to wail. You can monitor alarms on personalized websites or be contacted by a dedicated security firm that carries out 24-hour monitoring. You can also assure yourself, like the owner of the boat I mentioned delivering earlier, that your delivery crew is taking good care of your pride and joy.

Tony’s Tips All of the systems that I discuss in “A Watchful Eye from Afar” offer a certain peace of mind for the times when you’re not aboard—but what about when you are? Most of us can deal emotionally with being ripped off or having the boat sink when we’re not aboard and our lives aren’t at risk because, after all, sailboats are material things that can be replaced. Lives can’t, and many of the places that we love to visit can be dangerous. We’ve read about beatings, robberies, and murders in the most idyllic locales, and when we’re planning extended voyages, we try to take such reports into account. What can we do in the here and now to protect our property and promote our own physical safety?

First, let’s deal with the simple stuff. Placing smoke and carbon-monoxide detectors throughout the boat and temperature sensors in the engine room are no-brainers. So are well-maintained bilge alarms. Paying attention to your surroundings and people are pretty simple as well. While solitary anchorages are pleasant, being close to fellow sailors lends a certain sense of security, as do marinas with good security and locked gates.

When you do spend time in a secluded anchorage, think before you head to your bunk for the night. Raise your dinghy and lock it to the boat. Lock your hatches. Leave a deck light or two on, and in known danger areas, think about a night watch. Someone on deck or in the pilothouse armed with a flashlight and an air horn can prove a deterrent to most casual thieves, who are likely decent folks until presented with the perfect opportunity for an easy score.

For More Information In addition to those companies discussed in the main article, a quick Google search reveals that there are many other firms offering security solutions for your boat, from basic, self-installed systems to more complex, professionally installed networks linked to your boat’s satellite communication system. Look for systems that are actually designed for the marine environment, rather than ones that are merely re-purposed home or automobile systems. To assess the pros and cons of a potential purchase, take a walk around your marina and chat with your fellow sailors who have already installed them on their boats. _ CW_ contributor Tony Bessinger is a U.S. Coast Guard-licensed master and an instructor at Confident Captain/Ocean Pros in Newport, Rhode Island. Photos courtesy of the manufacturers.

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Boat Security Systems

• By Ken Englert
• Updated: January 13, 2011

So who is watching your boat and its valuables when you are not aboard? And who is going to shout for help should a break-in, fire, rise in bilge water, loss of dock power or other emergency take place?

One practical answer is the electronic equivalent to a combination onboard pit bull and boat baby sitter. A boat-monitoring and alarm system performs just that task.

All About Security Security systems may be comprised of a simple door-hatch sensor or an audible siren alarm, or more sophisticated systems can call you on a cell phone or send you a text message when an onboard issue arises. Still others provide you with complete remote monitoring status of your boat.

The online quotient can’t be overlooked. With your computer, iPad or tablet, it’s possible to respond to an alarm notification by checking, verifying status and even acting upon any sensor on board. You can even turn selected sensors on and off. for example, if you receive an activation alarm detecting movements inside your boat — or an advisement that water is being taken on or smoke or fire is sensed — you can notify the harbor patrol, fire department, dockmaster, a commercial boat service or a designated friend or family member to take appropriate action within minutes.

On the other hand, if the alarm reports a loss of shore power, you know to call the marina or to stop by the boat after work to see what’s up.

Power of the Web Want to take a look in and around your boat at any time of the day to see if all is normal or to check up on junior to be sure he’s not throwing an impromptu party when he’s supposed to be at the library? This can be done with cameras and internet access.

In the event that someone steals your boat, being advised of the theft may not be all that helpful. A fast-moving thief could be halfway to the next county by the time you alert authorities. Not to worry. Many boat-alarm system manufacturers offer a covert GPS-tracking option that will have you viewing a bread-crumb route to exactly where the boat is at all times. This can direct the police to meet the hijackers when they arrive at their destination. This stealthlike GPS-tracking feature also provides a good means for keeping an eye on the whereabouts of your boat when a delivery captain is relocating it to another area.

Keep in mind that boat security systems can be customized and configured in almost any manner to meet your specific needs.

Players in the Game The following manufacturers all offer boaters excellent choices for boat-monitoring and security systems.

Aqualarm The Scoop: The company offers a broad menu of systems and components for a variety of boat sizes and security situations. Contact: aqualarm.net ; 888-298-6206

Columbia Boat Alarms Inc. The Scoop: Smaller craft require special consideration, and the Triton Alarm ($399) offers protection that triggers when one of its canvas-snap sensors is tampered with. Contact: columbiaboatalarms.com ; 866-504-4686

EyeOnBoard LLC The Scoop: It specializes in 24/7 video surveillance both inside and outside your boat. A live demonstration is available on its website, and a starter system goes for $2,220. Contact: eyeonboard.com ; 916-933-3602

Flagship Marine Security Inc. The Scoop: Product includes a gold support plan, providing a custom wiring schematic and a 24/7 hotline for after-hours and weekend technical support. Contact: boatalarm.com ; 516-487-9650

Global Ocean Security Technologies (GOST) The Scoop: Its Magellan basic-value pack ($2,300) uses all-wireless sensors to simplify installation. The GOST Immobilizer ($385) renders an engine dead until reactivated. Contact: gostglobal.com ; 954-565-9898

MarineGuard Network The Scoop: Along with a wide array of components, sensors and tracking equipment, MarineGuard offers boaters four complete packaged alarm systems. Contact: marineguard.net ; 800-648-4301

Spot LLC The Scoop: The new Hug ($449) system is both comprehensive and affordable. Contact: findmespot.com ; 866-651-7768

Steal Armor The Scoop: Its Stryker has a clever sonic-security alarm system that looks like a lunchbox cooler. Hidden inside, however, is a piercing siren that discourages intruders. Contact: stealarmor.com ; 866-424-0575

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Boat Security And Surveillance

The New Standard in Boat Security.

Unmatched boat security protection using 3-layer security defense based on radar, microwave, and flir-based thermal imagining cameras for the ultimate intrusion detection solution on the market., layers of security defense.

Layer-1 Level of Defense , the Nautic Alert security strategy enables wired or wireless  motion detection sensors as the 1st level of defense, for the outdoor perimeter, to catch an intruder in the process of coming aboard or in attempt to take an attachment such as a dingy, while the security system is set to “Onboard” mode or “Away” mode to protect crew and passengers while sleeping or the vessel when no one is on board.

Layer-2 Level of Defense , provides wired or wireless motion detection sensors and wired contacts positioned in strategic locations within the cabin or in other compartments for indoor perimeter monitoring and detection.

Layer-3 Level of Defense , provides the Nautic Alert Geofence, which creates a virtual ring around the vessel and monitors for vessel movement outside of the virtual ring boundaries, which can be set to as little as 50ft.

With the combined layers of defense, you get an advanced boat security system with a highly effective strategy. Additional security safety features include smoke detection and personal emergency/ man overboard (MOB).

Video and Surveillance

Microwave or flir outdoor perimeter deck protection, imagine an unauthorized party attempts to board your vessel when you least expect it, and you are informed before they even step on your deck., imagine boats passing by and no false positive notifications., imagine  innovation that establishes your 1 st layer of security defense., it is real – nautic alert boat security..

Radar Interior Stealth Protection

The beauty and elegance of your boat deserves hidden intrusion detection sensors behind a cabinet or bulkhead to catch the unexpected..

FLIR Autonomous Human Detection

What your eyes cannot see, the flir thermal camera enables you to see based on invisible heat radiation.  cover precise boundaries, including outboard engines and outdoor chartplotters, for precision military-grade protection., advanced security sensors.

FLIR Autonomous Human Detection  provides precise graphic-driven bounds and rules for precise area detection in a very confined or open environment.  Based on thermal detection, movement of objects will not give false alerts, and it can discern human vs non-human movement.  This solution can be used standalone with Nautic Alert X2 (requires Insight X2 and XPulse or XPulse Plus), and does not require a NVR.  However, an NVR can optionally be used to enable onboard and remote thermal imaging.  FLIR imaging does require more power, and thus, may not be optimal for a moored solar-powered setup unless sufficient solar panel and battery capacity is used.

With Nautic Alert’s FLIR solution, it’s possible to setup 4 cameras in a 360 degree configuration and detect incoming intruders from all angles around the yacht.  The maximum effective detection distance is about 60 feet.

Nautic Alert Video Surveillance

Network Video Recorder

A NVR is like a DVR for your boat.  It contains an HDMI video interface to an LCD display, and contains an onboard interactive mouse and remote control driven menu to configure and play-back recordings locally.  NVRs support 8, 16, and 24 camera channels, in recreational and enterprise models.

Complete with a large hard drive, the NVR records all camera feeds for days, and makes it possible to play back event-based video clips or from searching by date and time onboard and remotely from the app.

iPhone and Android App Remote Access

Long range marine wifi connectivity and cellular fallback.

Nautic Alert optionally provides support for marine-grade long-range wifi-based access points, enabling wifi onboard for your devices from wifi networks up to a mile or more away.  Best of all, Nautic Alert NVRs do not require any port forwarding unlike most other products, so remotely accessing your NVR footage is a breeze and works like magic, even when connecting through a public access point.

Reliable Motion Driven Video Clips

Cameras simplified.

All cameras are IP harsh-weather rated, and we offer simple and customizable camera solutions to fit your needs.  Give us a call to discuss what’s right for you.  With 4K color night vision cameras, night video never looked so good.

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Marine Security Systems for Boats

• By Jim Hendricks
• Updated: February 4, 2015

Today’s boat security systems range from cellphone-size satellite ­communicators costing less than $100 (plus an annual subscription) to customizable networks topping $5,000 that include everything from cameras to a multitude of sensors, feeding streaming video, data and alerts to your computer or mobile device. Systems can also be configured to trigger conventional audible alarms with flashing strobe lights.

Such systems are not just for vessels afloat. Boats stored on trailers also benefit from electronic security devices. In addition, installing a system could reduce your boat insurance premiums. Indeed, a growing number of insurers now require security systems on high-end boats, particularly those that fish or temporarily berth in foreign waters like the Bahamas or Mexico.

Wireless Communications

At the heart of today’s ­advanced ­electronic marine security and ­surveillance systems is wireless ­communications. For example, the NT-Evolution 2.0 SM control unit ($2,999.99) from GOST ­(Global Ocean Surveillance ­Technologies) uses the ­Inmarsat satellite ­constellation for ­two-way communication via a ­compact puck-style antenna with a GPS ­receiver and the Nav-Tracker website ­(tracking.gosttracker.com). You can also add voice and text messaging to a mobile device within cellular range. It will call up to eight recipients.

Perfect for center-console fishing boats, the water-resistant control unit also has an internal battery for backup power in case of an onboard power failure or if thieves decide to cut the power in an attempt to disable the system.

Designed for any size vessel, the ­BoatLink+ system package ($699) ­notifies boat owners wirelessly via ­cellphone or email notification if a ­sensor is triggered while the system is armed. The BoatLink+ web portal (my.boatlinkplus.com) displays the system status, arms and disarms the system and more.

Alarm Sensors

A vast array of sensors stand ready to monitor your boat. The NT-Evolution 2.0 control unit, for instance, interfaces with up to 64 ­wireless sensors. GOST’s NT Evolution 2.0 SM package ($4,999.99) includes infrared-beam sensors that register onboard motion, a pull sensor that indicates if the boat is pulled away from the dock, and a high-water ­sensor, as well as a siren, a high-intensity strobe and a key fob for arming and disarming the system from the dock. You can also add a deck-pressure sensor, smoke ­detector, door sensor, low-voltage ­sensor and more. The BoatLink+ ­package, comes with ­monitors for the cabin door, engine-start switch, ­bilge-water levels and AC and DC voltage levels.

Geo-Fencing and Tracking

Many security systems allow you to set up an anti-theft perimeter called a geo-fence. With the system armed, an alarm is triggered when the boat leaves a predefined perimeter of the last locked location.

The BoatLink+ system lets you set geo-fences with diameters of 200, 400 or 1,000 feet, and with each alert, the current GPS location is sent. The GOST system is similar in nature: You set a geo-fence though the Nav-Tracker website, and it alerts you if the boat exits that perimeter.

GPS tracking of the boat position works in conjunction with geo-fencing, tracking the boat’s location at any given time. The GOST Nav-Tracker 1.0 ($1,125), for example, is a ­relatively simple, cost-effective antenna and ­transmitting device that not only ­allows you to set a geo-fence, but also monitor the boat’s movement online.

An even more economical ­alternative, the SPOT Trace ($100, plus an annual service fee of $100) is smaller than most cellphones, and the lithium ion ­battery-powered GPS receiver/satellite communicator automatically alerts you when it senses boat movement. It uses the Globalstar satellite constellation to communicate your boat’s GPS position via text and email every five, 10, 30 or 60 minutes. The Extreme ­Tracking ­Upgrade service ($199 per year) increases the update interval to every two-and-a-half minutes.

Devices such as the SPOT Trace and GOST Nav-Tracker 1.0 can be hidden from view, stashed in lockers or cabinets where thieves can’t readily find them. The water-resistant GOST antenna can even be mounted below deck; it can transmit through as much as a half-inch of solid fiberglass.

Video Monitoring

Remote streaming video is ­becoming an increasingly common security choice, allowing you to see what’s happening aboard your boat when you’re not there. For example, the GOST Watch H2O (scheduled to debut this year) will ­provide real-time video ­monitoring as an option with the Evolution 2.0 SM package, connecting with up to six cameras and communicating via the free GOST Watch HD app.

It’s an unfortunate fact of life that today’s fishing boats are attractive targets for nefarious types. Once a boat is stolen, it is often gone for good, likely ­spirited overseas and sold on the black market. The good news: Plenty of evidence ­supports the effectiveness of today’s sophisticated electronic ­security systems in thwarting thieves, sending them in search of easier targets. Most saltwater anglers are heavily invested — emotionally and financially — in their boats. Adding an electronic security system helps protect that precious investment, keeping you and your crew fishing for years to come.

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• The 10 best smartphone apps for sailors: proven through experience

Technology is evolving. Gone are the days when sailors relied purely on the basic equipment on board their boat — a chartplotter, GPS navigation and a pilot of the region. Nowadays, almost every modern sailor has a bunch of apps installed on their smartphone. So, we've asked our skippers which are their favourite apps they use the most. Here is our list of the top 10 sailing  apps  tried and tested over hundreds of logged miles.

1. Navionics: Boating Marine & Lakes

In our opinion, this is the best app for navigating your boat (but also for diving, fishing or other water sports). You'll find an incredible amount of information in it, from conventional GPS navigation to bay depths, harbour data, and contacts . Plus, it allows you to share your live location so your friends or family can follow your route online. We at yachting.com consider Navionics to be a basic part of any smartphone sailing kit ! The only downside is that it is a paid app, but it's worth every penny.

• Purchase Navionics at  www.navionics.com

2. Windy.com app

The Windy app and the windy.com website are one of the most well-known sources for boaters to check the weather forecast. In addition to wind direction and strength, you can find forecasts for temperature, waves, rain and cloud cover. Just like with any forecast model, it can't be relied upon 100%, so you should always pay attention to the actual conditions around you as well. Windy Premium, the paid version provides a more accurate forecast and more regular updates without ads.

• Download the Windy app at  windy.app

YACHTING.COM TIP :  Clouds  have been a source of fascination since the dawn of time. However, you don't need to be an expert meteorologist to know what to expect from looking at the clouds. In fact, this knowledge is practically essential for sailors. So, how do you read the clouds? Check out our article to find out —  Sailing: how to predict the weather by reading the clouds .

3. Anchor Watch / Alarm

An anchor drag alarm  or anchor watch basically does exactly what the name suggests — it emits a signal (alarm) when your boat drifts outside your designated security zone when at anchor . There are many apps available with this function, but Anchor Alarm is the one that works best for us. When you drop anchor, simply press the position button and adjust the perimeter you don't want to leave — for example, after taking into account the surrounding rocks and your proximity to shore, you might decide that you want to set the perimeter so that your anchor won't drag more than 15 metres. The app will remember where your anchor is located and will keep an eye on your position throughout the night. Should your boat move outside the set boundaries, it will trigger an alarm on your phone.

• Get the app on the App Store or Google Play.

YACHTING.COM TIP:  Review the basic rules of anchoring in our  complete guide to anchoring and moorings . We've covered two specific scenarios where you might need a little extra help. The first is on  how to prepare your boat for a stormy night at anchor and the second one is a guide to the Mediterranean Mooring technique, a combination of anchor and mooring lines often used in Greece —  How to moor stern-to: a step-by-step guide .

Navily is more of an app for recreational sailors where you'll find more than 14,000 anchorages and 6,000 marinas with photos and reviews from the community. There are also more than 700 partner marinas where you can book a berth directly via the app. The premiums version unlocks core features, such as automatic itineraries and distance calculation at sea. Navily claims to be the most innovative cruising guide.

• The app is available at navily.com

5. How to Tie Knots

Every skipper should have a masterful knowledge of sailing knots for every situation and should ideally be able to teach the crew. But, at the very least, you could install an app on their phones and get them to learn themselves. For this, we recommend the app How to Tie Knots which uses 3D animation to provide a realistic experience of tying knots using a virtual rope. There are countless apps out there for learning to tie knots so if you find something more suited to you, there are plenty of options. After all, they all have the same goal: to teach you how to tie knots.

• Find this app and similar ones on the App Store or Google Play.

YACHTING.COM TIP: Ropes or lines are one of the most important things on board any yacht and you simply can’t do without their ability to fasten, join and connect. Mastering at least a few basic sailing knots is essential for sailing, anchoring and moorings. It's not just beginner sailors who make mistakes , so we've prepared a guide to  9 essential sailing knots   for all your boating needs.

More sailing tips and tricks:

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The ultimate yacht cleaning kit, new year's resolution: let's sail more eco, tried and tested anchor safely and eat well in croatia, skippered boats: how to pack for a yachting holiday, don’t panic: handling maritime emergencies.

This is one of the best-known  breakdown assistance services for sailors. SeaHelp is a 24/7 rescue service that includes insurance and reliable assistance at sea should you break down or have an emergency. There are three types of membership available online and the app can then help you with things like towing your boat, starting, bringing fuel, fetching parts, freeing lines from the propeller and weather advice. The SOS button  can also be used by non-members  of this service and sends out a distress SMS with your current location and mobile number. After receiving the message, SeaHelp immediately calls back to verify there is a problem and if there is a real emergency, sends a rescue boat. If you sail frequently or are planning a more challenging voyage, we highly recommend setting up this service.

• Find the app and purchase a membership at sea-help.eu .

YACHTING.COM TIP: In the event of an accident or mishap during your voyage at sea, deposit insurance will save your nerves as well as money. Are you hesitating whether it is worth taking out? In our experience, it definitely is! Check out our article on  the most common reasons for losing your boat rental deposit  and if you would like advice on deposit experience, feel free to get in contact with one of our representatives .

MySea is a free interactive guide to marinas, harbours, jetties, buoy fields and restaurants in Croatia, Greece and Turkey . For each marina, it provides information on the type of mooring, safety regarding the direction of winds, services (showers, toilets, petrol pumps, supermarkets, etc.), entertainment and dining options on-site. There is also a current weather forecast for the area with a bird's eye view. The app includes thousands of user reviews on individual marinas and berths can be booked directly via the app. Even admission to Croatian national parks can be paid for via MySea.

• Find it at my-sea.com .

8. Marine Traffic

Marine Traffic comes in especially useful if you are sailing in areas where there are a lot of cargo ships. This platform provides real-time information on marine traffic, live port arrivals and departures, as well as gross tonnage and registration number of the cargo ships moving in your area. If you are heading to the English Channel, the Baltic Sea or are planning a voyage further offshore, the risk of collision with a cargo ship is much higher. Bear in mind that the captain of a large tanker cannot see small sailing vessels, so it is best to give them a wide berth.

• Take a look at the live map of cargo ships at www.marinetraffic.com

9. VesselFinder

Similar to Marine Traffic, VesselFinder provides a live map, on their website and app, of the network ships using the AIS system — over 200,000 ships a day! In addition, it allows you to search for a specific ship and find its current location and more information on the vessel itself. View the ships and their position on the map in real-time or look at their previous routes, sailing history and, where applicable, marina reservations. It is also possible to create your own fleet of friends and track the individual boats of the whole group.

• Find out more about the app at www.vesselfinder.com

The VesselFinder app displays current marine traffic on a map, but you can also search for a specific ship, and view its current location and sailing history

10. Tide Alert (NOAA)

Recommended for all those who sail in tidal waters (France, the Baltic, Scotland...), it provides all the information you need so you don't get caught out by the tide, such as predicted tide height, the moon phase, etc. The whole Tide Alert (NOAA) environment is user-friendly, intuitive and easy to use. Plus, there is an alarm feature to alert you to a low or high tide. And best of all, the app even works offline if your signal drops out.

• Download it on the App Store or Google Play.

A low tide can leave you high and dry

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Faq handy apps for sailors.

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Anchor Watch / Alarm

How to Tie Knots

Marine Traffic

VesselFinder

Tide Alert (NOAA)

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Siren 3 Pro

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Siren 3 Pro Main Device

$796.86 usd.

The Siren 3 Pro is the most advanced Main Device we offer. Together with the Siren Marine Mobile App, our Smart Boat Monitoring System puts your boat in the palm of your hand 24/7.

Install the Siren 3 Pro on your boat to monitor and track multiple critical systems such as battery levels, bilge pump activity, water levels, shore power status, engine performance, temperature, location & more right on the App.*

• Advanced features include Global LTE (4G/5G), built-in NMEA 2000 connectivity, satellite readiness & digital switching integration
• *Some monitoring capabilities require a Siren 3 Series Wireless Sensor or Wired Sensor
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MTC Technical Specifications

Physical Dimensions

6.5in x 4.5in x 1.25in

Status LEDs

GPS (green) / Cellular (red)

Digital Inputs

7 (0-30 VDC)

Remote Battery Control

Location Technology

56 channel GPS (with SBAS)

Digital Outputs

Analog Inputs

4 (0-30 VDC)

Temp Sensor Input

2 (Temperature Sensing)

Operating Voltage

Power Consumption

<20mA @ 12v (Sleep on network with SMS)

  70mA @ 12v (Active Tracking)

Back-Up Battery

3000mAh Lithium Polymer Battery

Environmental

Temperature

-22˚F to 167˚F (Connected to Battery Power)

-40˚F to 185˚F (Storage)

95% R.H. (Relative Humidity) @ 122˚F

Mounting Bracket

4.5in x 2.5in x 1.5in

Bracket Screws

Connectivity

Internal Antenna

Internal (SMA for optional external antenna)

26 gang terminal connector for wired sensors

900mHz wireless transceiver to support (up to) 8 sensors

Certifications

Fully Certified

FCC, CE, IC, PTCRB, & all applicable carriers

Install the Siren 3 Pro on your boat to monitor and track multiple critical systems such as battery voltage, bilge pump activity, water levels, shore power status, engine performance, temperature, location & more right on the App. Some monitoring capabilities require a Siren 3 Series Wireless Sensor or Wired Sensor .

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More features, standard features.

Battery Monitoring

Monitor your boat’s battery & receive alerts if voltage is low

GPS Position/Geofence

Track boat’s location & receive alerts on boat movement

Best-in-class NMEA 2000 marine electronics backbone connectivity

Digital Switching

Remotely control multifunction displays, lights, refrigerator & more

LTE-M (4G/5G)

The latest cellular technology connects you to your boat *Based on 4G/5G LTE-M availability

Features with Add-On Sensors & Accessories

Engine Metrics

Monitor performance & support metrics for any NMEA propulsion system

Connected Fluid Tanks

Monitor tank levels (i.e. fuel, water, etc.) and check level history

Security/Entry

Add snap, motion & entry sensors for the ultimate boat security system

Monitor bilge activity, including bilge run time & daily bilge cycles

Detect water and monitor water level in bilge

Shore Power

Monitor shore power connection & receive power outage alerts

Monitor temperature of cabin, engine room, fridge and/or bait locker

Satellite Compatible

SirenSat provides smart boat location & tracking when outside of cell range

Wireless Sensors 3.0

Siren 3 Pro delivers improved wireless connectivity

User Guides & Manuals

Siren 3 Pro Wiring Diagrams

Physical Dimensions	6 in x 4.5 in x 2 in 152 mm x 113 mm x 50 mm
Weight	1lb .5kg
Operating Voltage	9-30 VDC
Internal Battery Type	3000mAh Lithium Polymer Battery
Internal Battery Backup Power	Up to 48 Hours Backup Power
Firmware Upgradeability	Over the Air (OTA) for both Siren 3 Pro and wireless sensors
Cellular	External Antenna, 4G/5G CAT-M1, with fall back to NB-IoT and EGPRS
Wireless	External Antenna, Sub-GHz
NMEA 2000	CAN Bus 1, M12 (5 Pin)
Application-Dependent Protocol (ex. J1939)	CAN Bus 2, M12 (5 Pin)
Satellite Modem	RS-232, M12 (12 Pin) Wiring Cable #2
Expansion Bus	RS-422. M12 (12 Pin) Wiring Cable #2
Mounting	Snap-in bracket with (4) screws provided for mounting
Positioning	Internal Antenna, GNSS, GPS/GLONASS with SBAS, (External antenna option available)
Connectivity	Interface cable with mating connector of 1m length provided for wired inputs and outputs with 24 AWG conductors.

Environmental/Temperature (Operating)	32°F to 113°F 0°C to 45°C
Environmental/Temperature (Storage)	-4°F to 140°F -20°C to 60°C
Humidity	0 to 90% RH
Water & Dust Tolerance	IP67
Certifications	FCC Part 15, Subpart B, Class B EN60945 CE PTCRB NMEA 2000
Wired Sensor Inputs	Battery 1 Battery 2 High Water 1 High Water 2 Security 1 Security 2 Security 3 Ignition Battery Switch Shore Power Remote Arm/Disarm
Wired Sensor Outputs	Remote Battery Switch (#7713) Relay Output 1 Relay Output 2 Relay Output 3 Relay Output 4
Wireless Sensors	Magnetic Reed Switch (Intrusion) Bilge Pump Activity Temperature High Water Battery Voltage

Status LED Indicators

Siren 3 Plus vs Siren 3 Pro

Feature / Benefit
Standard Features (Tracking, Monitoring & Alerts)
GPS Position
Geofence Capability
Battery Voltage
Connectivity
External Cellular Antenna (LTE-M: 4G/5G)
Internal Cellular Antenna (LTE-M: 4G/5G)
External Wireless Sensor Antenna
Internal Wireless Sensor Antenna
Internal GPS Antenna
External Satellite Module (Optional)
Add-On Features
Wireless Sensors, Siren 3 Series (Bilge Activity, High-Water, Temperature, Entry, Battery)
Wired Sensors (Shore Power, Security & More)
Wired Accessories for Direct Control of Onboard Devices (Remote Battery Switch, Lighting, Audible Alarms & More)
SirenSat (Offshore Satellite Connectivity)
External Cellular & GPS Antennas
Hardware
Wiring Cable/Harness 1*
Wiring Cable/Harness 2^
Clip-on Mounting Bracket (Easy Installation)
Water-Resistant Design
Accessible Back-up Battery
NMEA 2000 / CAN Bus
NMEA 2000 Built-In
J1939 Built-In (CAN 2)
Digital Switching with CZone Compatibility (Control Lights, A/C, etc. from App)
Engine Performance Monitoring (RPM, Fuel Consumption, Engine Hours, Temperature & Oil Pressure)
Tank Level Monitoring (Fuel, Water & Waste)
ZF Transmission Monitoring & Support
Other Features
Over-The-Air Software Updates
Customized Boat Branding in App
Customized Engine Manufacturer in App
Self Install Option (DIY Friendly)
Certified Installer Network
Made in USA

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	Save Money with Insurance Discounts Most marine insurance providers offer discounts for security & boat monitoring solutions. You could save 5-10% on boat insurance depending on your insurance carrier. Ask your agent to learn more! A Connected Boat® is the smart choice.
	Digital Switching with CZone Compatibility CZone, remotely power up systems before heading to your boat. Control lights, A/C & other systems and access digital switching right from the Siren Connected Boat app. Welcome to the Connected Boat® with CZone® Digital Switching. Requirements: power, connection to the NMEA2000 network & configuration update from a certified CZone® installer.
Amazon Alexa Compatibility Did you know that our Connected Boat® system is compatible with Amazon Alexa & Echo Dot Smart Home Speakers? Activated using simple voice commands, Alexa will report back on the status of the onboard systems connected to your Siren Connected Boat app! Know the status of your boat anywhere, anytime.

Boating? Siren Has An App For That

Do more with add-on sensors:.

Wireless High-Water Sensor, Siren 3 Pro

The Wireless High-Water Sensor detects if there is water in the bilge and instantly sends an alert to the Siren Connected Boat app if water has risen above a preset level.

Wireless Battery Sensor, Siren 3 Pro

Monitor battery voltage with the Wireless Battery Sensor, and never worry about a dead battery again.

Wireless Entry Sensor, Siren 3 Pro

Receive instant notifications if there is unauthorized entry on the boat.

Additional Videos

Getting Started With The Siren 3 Pro

Check out what's inside the Siren 3 Pro box & learn how to set up the Siren Connected Boat App with a cellular subscription!

You’ve heard of Ring & Nest – and now Siren Marine is bringing similar connectivity to the marine industry.

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Always Watching – Never Seen

We are industry leader in boat security, tracking & video surveillance products..

If security, monitoring, and tracking are important to you, then GOST is the company you want to work with. We have over 15 years of experience in the security industry and our award-winning systems are sure to give you the peace of mind you need. With real-time alerts, satellite tracking, and video surveillance, you’ll always know your boat is safe and secure. Contact us today to learn more about our security solutions.

Satellite Tracking

Ultra-reliable satellite tracking via a geostationary satellites.

Security & Monitoring

From basic insurance requirements to advanced security configurations.

Video Surveillance

Live video feeds for up to 8HD cameras with up to 90 days of backup.

GOST Specter: Global Portal Remote Access

With GOST, you can monitor your boats precise GPS location and receive alerts when critical events occur. Geofences can be set to keep track of assets in a certain area. Event histories provide all the information you or your managers need to keep operations running smoothly.

• Remote Access
• Location Tracking
• Monitor Multiple Boats / Build Fleets
• Message Alerts / System Status

NMEA Award Product Of Excellence

We are the winner of the NMEA Award for product excellence five years in a row!

Recognized by the US Coast Guard

Officially recognized by the US Coast Guard for assisting in Rescue & Recovery Operations.

Real-time Satellite Tracking

If you're looking for a satellite tracking system that can provide real-time position information and alerts, GOST is a perfect choice. Our award-winning technology uses Geostationary Satellites to continuously monitor your boat's location, so you can always be sure it's safe. Plus, our system works with any device, so you can keep track of your boat no matter where you are in the world.

• Real-time satellite tracking
• Geo-fence alert system
• Remote arm & disarm
• Global coverage
• Position history
• Build & track Multiple fleets of vessels
• Access from any computer or mobile device

Total Peace of Mind

Boat Security & Monitoring with GOST provides you with the peace of mind knowing that your boat is secure and all its systems are being monitored in real-time. You'll have the ability to view and monitor all your boat's critical systems on a single, easy-to-use dashboard, with real-time messages and alerts to keep you informed of any potential issues. With GOST, you can rest assured that your boat is in good hands.

• Motion Sensors
• Infrared Beam Sensors
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Always Watching, Never Seen

With GOST XVR, you can stream real-time video surveillance footage from your boat to any computer or mobile device. This system is compatible with up to eight HD cameras, and includes a four terabyte backup system that can store up to three months of footage. The XVR unit is compact and works seamlessly with a broad range of cameras, making it the perfect video surveillance solution for any sized boat.

• Live Camera Feeds
• 4TB Backup System
• Ultra-Fast Data Communicator
• Connects Up To Eight HD Cameras
• Access From Any Device

Have questions? Get In Touch 954-565-9898.

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The Ultimate Anchor Watch

Advertisement

With today's electronics, you can tell if your anchor starts dragging without leaving your bunk. But make sure you understand your system's limitations.

— Published: October/November 2013

It's a pitch-black, nasty night with rain blowing sideways, and your concern about your anchor dragging sends you topside again to shoot bearings through lightning on distant landmarks. You escape below only to have your pencil tear a hole in the soaking-wet chart while triangulating the boat's position. Thankfully the days of wooden boats and iron men are behind us. Today, with just a few keystrokes, you can have an electronic box stand the middle watch, allowing a few hours of shut-eye. The challenge lies in understanding the limitations of the different anchor watch systems and choosing which to use.

Almost all anchor watch systems rely on the global positioning system (GPS), a revolutionary aid to navigation that is nonetheless prone to errors that must be compensated for when used to monitor the boat's position. Anchor watch systems work by creating a security zone around the boat, which is the electronic circle the boat is allowed to wander around in without tripping an alarm. To prevent false alarms, that circle must be large enough so the normal movement of the boat, and the inaccuracies in setting up the circle, don't cause the anchor alarm to go off. Remember, the GPS tracks the antenna, not the anchor, and the electronic center for all alarm calculations will be at the set point, the position the antenna was in when the system was activated. To prevent false alarms, the security zone must then take into account the following factors:

Offset error: The difference between the anchor's resting place and the GPS antenna at the instant you enabled the alarm. Note that when the boat swings 180 degrees, offset error doubles ( Figure 1 ), so you must include twice the offset in your calculation of the security zone.

Signal errors: The errors inherent in the GPS system itself in generating a position. All GPS systems use the same satellites so it doesn't matter if it is a plotter, handheld, or smartphone; the signal errors will be the same on every device. The signal error varies depending upon the type of receiver you have and whether you're using vertical measurements, but is about 16 feet on average, according to government sources.

Human error: There are a number of ways the operator can introduce errors, but most common is mistiming the activation of the set point, as happens when the button is pushed to activate the set point and the anchor then drags some distance from that point before holding.

Consider a boat on 75 feet of scope with the GPS antenna located 20 feet back from the bow, creating a total offset error of 40 feet when the boat swings 180 degrees. With the boat pulling to the limit of its scope, the GPS antenna could be a maximum of 115 feet from the set point. To avoid false alarms, add 16 feet for signal errors and 20 more for human error. The security zone radius is a total of 151 feet ( Figure 2 ). We could set a tighter zone but that invites false alarms.

As a general rule of thumb, if your security zone radius isn't somewhere around double your scope (meaning a diameter four times your scope), it's probably not big enough. With practice, you'll get a good idea of your average human error and may even be able to reduce or eliminate it with good anchoring technique. Most signal errors are beyond your control, but proper equipment installation will eliminate some.

GPS-Based Anchor-Watch Options

Most GPS units, even handheld, include an easy-to-use anchor-watch feature. For directions, refer to your owner's manual. Smartphone anchoring applications have proliferated in recent years, and some of the offerings give a lot of bang for the buck. These are still GPS-based systems with all the limitations described above, and care needs to be taken when choosing both phone and app.

Phones with built-in GPS work best because they don't require communication with cellular towers to establish their position. Those without an internal GPS stop monitoring when cell reception is interrupted. The GPS function and screen take quite a bit of power so choose an app that monitors even when the phone sleeps, and keep it plugged in when it's "on watch." Phones have small antennas resulting in poor reception belowdecks. To work well, the phone may need to be kept far from your bunk in a place where it gets a good GPS and cell phone signal, making a loud alarm imperative.

Apps are rarely subjected to the rigorous testing done by marine equipment manufacturers to ensure the system works as advertised. App support is often difficult to find, and few companies offer recourse if you have problems. But these applications make a good backup to your marine systems, and offer extra protection when used with them.

If you already have a compatible phone, an app with a short messaging service (SMS) function will alert you to a problem when you're off your boat, as long as you and the boat are in range of a cell tower. Out of the hundreds of anchor-monitoring applications available, Table 1 compares a few that have unique features.

Alternatives to GPS

For maximum safety, set additional alarms on devices that utilize technologies other than the GPS system. Almost every depth sounder has an alarm that can be set to warn of changes. This is of little use if the bottom maintains a constant depth to a hazard, but can be very helpful otherwise. Security zones can be set on many radars to warn if something crosses into them, including another boat in a crowded anchorage. Plotters that combine GPS, radar, and depth into a single alarm function greatly enhance security. High power consumption and false alarms are disadvantages of these systems, but some have the advantage of communication features that allow monitoring from afar.

Motion-sensing anchor-monitoring systems cost several thousand dollars and use a sensor attached to the anchor to measure its movement to the inch. If you decide to spend the money, choose a system that transmits the sensor information through sonar because equipment using cables running from the boat to the anchor tends to suffer tangles.

Anchor-monitoring systems can make the difference between ending up on the rocks and taking action in time to save the day. But they're all fallible. Using several in combination with common sense, plenty of scope, and smart anchoring techniques can greatly increase the safety of boat and crew while keeping you sleeping soundly in your bunk.

The Two-Zone Defense

Here's a technique that can be used to greatly enhance GPS anchor-watch security and reliability ( Figure 3 ). Start by setting an anchor alarm on one device by placing a security zone around the entire diameter of your swing. Once the boat has fallen back and is resting to prevailing wind and current, use a second device to enable a set point with a minimal security zone surrounding the boat — a radius of about twice the boat length.

This zone will not result in false alarms if wind and current do not change so the boat remains relatively stationary. If the boat drags, both alarms will sound, alerting you instantly. If the wind direction changes, the second device will go off but not the first, so you can start a real anchor watch. Once the boat stabilizes, enable a new set point on the second device and head back below, confident in the redundancy of the two anchor watch units.

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Next-gen SMART boat solution

• Sailing analytics

Digital switching

• WiFi hotspot

Overview YS Pro

Ys pro is protected by a premium waterproof rugged casing. it includes a high-end touch screen for ease of use. an ‘all-in-one’ product combining:, a low power consumption security system.

• Super low power consumption (<0.3 W)
• Large selection of wireless premium sensors with extended battery life using ZigBee 3.0 protocol
• Internal alarms include geofencing, battery, tilt, temperature and G-shock alarms

A revolutionary sailing analytics solution

• Data collected from NMEA2000, J1939, Ethernet, Modbus and 2 other CAN buses
• Smart filtering functions (averages, min/max, etc.)
• Coverage in more than 100 countries

Smart Connection

• Fit-for-all digital switching solution, using either Wi-Fi, BLE 5.0, Zigbee 3.0, NMEA 2000 PGNs or Modbus
• 12v 24v smart relay available

High-speed Wi-Fi hotspot

• YS Pro allows users to insert a sim card to act as a high-speed Wi-Fi hotspot
• Multiple Sentinel Cam 2 can be paired

Yacht Sentinel Ecosystem

A large variety of premium wireless sensors and accessories can be purchased separately

Partner platform, free crm system specifically designed for shipyards, dealers and charter companies, ys pro user app, our new user app allows boat owners to receive remotely at any time a wide range of data and alarms, and to benefit from exclusive services, why ys pro, credibility and industry knowledge.

We have been developing connected boat solution since 2008

3G/4G worldwide coverage

Data is recorded for months if no coverage

Full comprehensive suite

Ys pro combines 4 functionalities: security system, sailing analytics, smart connections & wi-fi router, robust & reliable.

Premium rugged & waterproof casing. Over-the-air software updates

"> "> Large choice of sensors

10 different types of sensors and growing

Breakthrough ecosystem

Including a user-friendly app and a CRM product line for businesses called Partner Platform

Fits motorboat & Sailing boats of any sizes

Touchscreen makes YS Pro super easy to setup and to use. Battery consumption < 0.3W

Affordable prices

YS Pro only costs 1590€ + 20€/month

Critical data for your business

Improve customer support, access a wide range of data remotely, know what’s happening on board, prevent inappropriate behaviours and receive 40+ alarms, increase efficiency, manage maintenance remotely, simplify checkin & checkout procedures, preventive maintenance, find out about small issues before they become problems, collect data & take care of your fleet, generate reports on our partner platform, useful benefits for users, decrease incidents, receive 40+ alarms if something goes wrong, peace of mind for boat owners, control things remotely, insurance premiums, get discounts by using our products.

Excellent boat monitoring- Unit is easy to set up and I like the fact that the sensors are wireless — competitor’s sensors are wired which is more difficult to position. Customer support is very helpful. They were even willing to get on the phone with me in (their) evening since I’m on the US West Coast

Great help/support for a trusted product

Thomas Nicolaisen

Very Happy Customers- We have installed Yacht Sentinel 6 into a few boats in Hong Kong and the owners are more than satisfied with the setup. They can now monitor their boats remotely while accessing data that was previously unavailable without a lot of effort. The simple installation makes it even better.

Indispensable equipment for a Yacht ! – We are using YS6 for various boats, it is a reliable product which becomes more and more essential for every boats. Indeed, you can check at any time the most important data like the tension of the batteries, the current position of the boat and the possible alerts. But if you don’t check by yourself, you receive an alert message on your phone. Thus, a very helpful equipment for a careful owner with a reasonable cost and easy to install!!

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The 12 Best Carbon Monoxide Detectors to Protect You and Your Family

No living space should be without several of these inexpensive, lifesaving devices.

Gear-obsessed editors choose every product we review. We may earn commission if you buy from a link. Why Trust Us?

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas that is toxic, and the risk for exposure to it increases during this time of year—when temperatures take a turn and colder weather prompts us to run heaters in our homes.

CO can be found in fumes produced by items like power generators , stoves, lanterns , grills , wood-burning fireplaces , gas ranges, or furnaces, and also the vehicles we drive every day. If CO builds up indoors or in your car, it can overcome you quickly and without warning, which is why it's not surprising that every year more than 400 people in the U.S. die from accidental carbon monoxide poisoning, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The most common symptoms of CO poisoning are headache, dizziness, weakness, nausea, vomiting, chest pain, and confusion.

As grim as this all sounds, prevention is possible and costs less than $20. Here are our recommendations for carbon monoxide detectors along with valuable advice before you shop.

Best Carbon Monoxide Detectors

• Best Overall: First Alert Hardwired Talking Smoke and CO Detector
• Best Upgrade: Kidde Carbon Monoxide Detector AC-Powered with Battery Backup
• Best Value: Kidde Battery Operated CO Alarm
• Best Digital Display: First Alert Dual-Power Plug-in CO Alarm
• Best Mounting Option: Kidde Nighthawk AC Plug-in with Battery Backup The Expert: I’ve worked in the home security industry for the better part of a decade testing, reviewing, and writing about home security and home safety equipment. Along with writing disaster preparedness guides for homeowners, I’ve also done extensive research on air quality and pollution. As a parent of young children, I’ve used and regularly tested environmental monitoring devices like smoke and carbon monoxide alarms on every level of my home.

How to Choose a Carbon Monoxide Detector

Power sources.

Carbon monoxide (CO) detectors can be battery-operated, plug-in, or hardwired (with backup batteries for power failures). Battery-operated alarms are easy to install and budget-friendly, but have disadvantages.

In exchange for the work of wiring in a carbon monoxide alarm, you’ll get an extended lifespan of 7 to 10 years. Battery-powered devices, however, may need to be replaced every 3 to 5 years. Double-check city building codes because hard-wired smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are increasingly required in new construction.

Home Safe Home: Best Smoke Detectors • Best Home Security Systems • Best Outdoor Security Cameras

Sensor Types

Carbon monoxide alarms use a variety of detection methods, and the kind of sensor is often directly related to the power source. Keep in mind that carbon monoxide alarms can also include smoke detectors, which have ionization sensors for detecting fast-burning fires or photoelectric sensors to detect smoldering fires. Some smoke detectors have both and are therefore called dual-sensor alarms.

Interconnected

If you live in a multilevel home, consider hard-wired or smart carbon monoxide alarms that can be interconnected. By placing several units around the house, you create a network for better coverage and detection. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) , carbon monoxide alarms should be placed about 5 feet off the ground on every level of the house (except basements and attics) and outside of sleeping areas.

UL Certified

UL-certified carbon monoxide alarms are recommended because they’ve been third-party tested and meet the UL-standards for consumer safety and effectiveness . This is important in carbon monoxide detection as alarms are required to sense CO levels consistently at a fairly low threshold.

Basic detectors are simple alarms, but sophisticated models come with features like digital displays, LED warning lights, voice alerts, location detectors that pinpoint the source of a leak, or memory functions that record levels of carbon monoxide over time. There are also smart carbon monoxide detectors that connect to your home's digital ecosystem.

How We Evaluated Carbon Monoxide Detectors

We researched carbon monoxide detection through the US Consumer Safety Commission and connected with a fire protection expert from UL Standards (Underwriter’s Laboratory) to better understand critical features in residential carbon monoxide detection.

We also relied on the research of Rachel Klein , who sifted through user reviews to determine how these detectors performed in the real-world. The results of our combined efforts are high-quality, four-star rated models that offered a variety of desirable features. Each device we reviewed and recommended below is UL-certified and also specifies dimensions so you can map out how much space is required for installation. These are the best carbon monoxide detectors to buy now.

First Alert Hardwired Talking Smoke and Carbon Monoxide (CO) Detector

Combining carbon monoxide and smoke detection into one device makes sense. This talking model from First Alert is packed with even more functions, like programmable locations and voice alerts, into a relatively affordable package.

Since this combination CO and smoke alarm is hard-wired, it comes with a 10-year warranty and can connect with other First Alert detectors to provide whole-home environmental monitoring. Watch out for triggering false alarms though. At 85-decibels, the neighbors are definitely going to notice.

Power Source	Hard-wired
Sensor Type	Electrochemical
Dimensions (L x W x H)	5.13 x 2.38 x 5.13 in.

Kidde Carbon Monoxide Alarm AC-Powered with Battery Backup

This carbon monoxide detector is another customer favorite. The plug-in unit is well-priced, fairly compact, has a memory feature that records carbon monoxide readings, and includes an 85-decibel alarm.

In the event of a power failure, two included AA batteries serve as backup. Given the smaller footprint, its test button is a thin bar that isn’t designed as well as that of some other units, but the easy plug-in installation is a major perk.

Power Source	Plug-in
Sensor Type	Electrochemical
Dimensions (L x W x H)	2.8 x 1.5 x 4.5 in.

Kidde Battery-Operated Carbon Monoxide Alarm

If you’re looking for a reliable yet budget-friendly carbon monoxide detector, this a good bet. It checks the boxes for basics you need for continuous monitoring, including a pulsing red LED warning light and an 85-decibel alarm that trigger simultaneously if carbon monoxide is detected.

There’s also a sizable test-and-reset button to ensure the unit is working. It runs on two AA batteries, which are included.

Power Source	Battery
Sensor Type	Electrochemical
Dimensions (L x W x H)	2.0 x 7.4 x 11.4 in.

First Alert Dual-Power Carbon Monoxide Plug-In Alarm

The blue backlit LED display on this plug-in carbon monoxide detector makes it easy to see CO readings—a definite plus in an emergency situation—and power level of the two backup AA batteries. It also has a peak memory feature that records readings.

Other highlights include a test-silence button to ensure the unit is functioning properly, an 85-decibel alarm, and a limited 7-year warranty.

Power Source	Plug-in
Sensor Type	Electrochemical
Dimensions (L x W x H)	3.4 x 1.7 x 5 in.

Kidde Nighthawk AC Plug-in Operated Carbon Monoxide Alarm

Even without a backlit display, the popular plug-in Kidde Nighthawk ranks highly for ease of reading, plus it has a memory feature for recording peak CO levels. It has an extension cord that allows you to set it on a shelf if you'd prefer that type of placement over keeping the entire unit wherever your outlet is.

Included with the Nighthawk is a 9-volt backup battery so you don’t have to worry about protection during a power outage. It has a standard 85-decibel alarm, and there’s a blinking dot in the corner of the display to let you know the device is functioning properly.

Power Source	Plug-in
Sensor Type	Electrochemical
Dimensions (L x W x H)	6.0 x 3.8 x 1.8 in.

First Alert Carbon Monoxide Alarm with 10-Year Battery and Digital Temperature Display

Sleek and slim, this battery-operated carbon monoxide detector packs in plenty of features. It also doubles as a digital clock, so it's right at home on a nightstand or placed on a shelf. Its bright blue backlit LED display shows the temperature as well as carbon monoxide levels.

Other highlights include a 10-year lithium battery, an 85-decibel alarm, and a 10-year limited warranty. It doesn’t provide the kind of comprehensive coverage that full-size carbon monoxide detectors deliver, but it’s a nice supplemental device for extra peace of mind.

Power Source	Battery
Sensor Type	Electrochemical
Dimensions (L x W x H)	0.9 x 4.8 x 2.6 in.

First Alert Wireless Interconnected Carbon Monoxide Alarm with Voice and Location

Although this battery-powered carbon monoxide detector comes with a big jump in price compared to some of our recommendations, it packs some great features. It has a voice alarm, plus it can be connected to other units to create a wireless network for blanket coverage in your home.

Once the exact location of carbon monoxide is detected, it pings the other units and triggers the voice alarm. What is missing is an LED warning light, a feature included on detectors that cost much less than this First Alert. Two AA batteries are included for installation.

Power Source	Battery
Sensor Type	Electrochemical
Dimensions (L x W x H)	5.1 x 2.4 x 5.1 in.

Kidde Battery-Powered Smoke & Carbon Monoxide Detector

This combination smoke detector and carbon monoxide alarm features voice alerts, LED lights, and a low-battery warning—all for a similar price point to other devices that only offer CO detection. If that doesn’t convince you, this Kidde alarm runs on AA batteries instead of the typical (and more expensive) 9-Volt.

A few reviewers reported that the unit was very sensitive to any type of heat and threw more false alarms than other detectors—just something to keep in mind as you do your own further research.

Power Source	Battery-powered
Sensor Type	Ionization
Dimensions (L x W x H)	1.8 x 5.6 x 5.6 in.

Universal Security Instruments 3-in-1 Smoke, Fire, and Carbon Monoxide Smart Alarm

There are many carbon monoxide detectors that come with smoke detectors that have single sensors—either ionization or photoelectric—but this one features a dual sensor to detect both fast-burning and smoky fires. The device is powered by a sealed 10-year battery and features microprocessor technology to cut down on false alarms, and a hush button in the event that they happen.

Overall, it gives you great bang for your buck in terms of complete protection, minus extras like a voice alarm and digital display.

Power Source	Battery
Sensor Type	Electrochemical, photoelectric, and ionization
Dimensions (L x Wx H)	1.8 x 5.8 x 5.8 in.

Google Nest Protect

If you have a Google Home ecosystem, this is the carbon monoxide and smoke detector combo you'll want. It sounds the alarm for dangerous levels of carbon monoxide and has a split-spectrum sensor that detects fast-burning fires and smoky, smoldering ones by combining a traditional infrared photoelectric sensor with a blue LED.

When the alarm is triggered, you’ll get notifications on your phone, plus the app allows you to test alarms and get performance reports.

You won’t have to worry about checking the battery or sensors, as the Nest Protect runs diagnostics 400 times daily. It also doubles as an optional hallway light that’s triggered when you walk underneath. The device also comes in a hardwired version if you prefer that to batteries.

Power Source	Battery
Sensor Type	Split-spectrum
Dimensions (L x W x H)	5.3 x 1.5 x 5.3 in.

First Alert Hardwired Carbon Monoxide Detector

This might not be the best looking carbon monoxide detector in the bunch, but safety comes first—and on that, it delivers. The hardwired unit has a 9-volt battery backup in case of a power outage, with an advanced electrochemical sensor and microprocessor that helps cut down on the frequency of false alarms. It’s also interconnectable with up to 18 compatible devices for blanket coverage.

Other highlights include a visual indicator that shows which unit triggered the alarm within the network, an 85-decibel alarm, and a test and silence button. The drawbacks are no voice alarm or LED warning light.

Power Source	Hardwired with battery backup
Sensor Type	Electrochemical
Dimensions (L x W x H)	5.5 x 2.1 x 5.7 in.

Gzair Portable Carbon Monoxide Detector

This ingenious little keychain is a carbon monoxide detector in disguise. It has an electrochemical sensor, with a combined microprocessor and pump that produce CO readings on the display.

If levels are dangerously high (200ppm or more), the device sounds a 90-decibel alarm—along with a flashing red light and strong vibration. It’s powered with a 9-volt battery and made for outdoor use, with an IP67 waterproof rating. It’s ideal for travel, but is also suitable for camping, motorhomes, tents, and basements.

Power Source	Battery
Sensor Type	Electrochemical
Dimensions (L x W x H)	4.3 x 1.8 x 1.3 in.

Expert Kaz Weida Finds Out How Often a Carbon Monoxide Alarm Should Be Replaced. The Answer Might Surprise You.

Where should carbon monoxide alarms be placed in a home for optimal detection?

It’s critical that consumers follow the manufacturer’s instructions on where and how to install the CO alarm. Failing to do so could introduce variables that comprise the alarm’s performance and effectiveness—and with carbon monoxide, there can be serious consequences.

Time is also an important consideration. CO alarms should be replaced within seven years of the manufacture date marked on the product because the CO gas sensing element of the device is considered a limited-life component.

Which features are absolutely essential for homeowners to have in a carbon monoxide alarm?

You can choose a combination smoke and carbon monoxide alarm, and you can choose among battery-powered, hardwired, or plug-in power sources. If the alarm is being used in a residence, it’s important to look for one that is third-party certified to UL standards and to follow the manufacturer’s instructions on where and how to install the device.

We call them carbon monoxide detectors, but that’s sort of a misnomer. What’s the difference between carbon monoxide detectors and carbon monoxide alarms?

While both alarms and detectors sense whether carbon monoxide concentrations have reached unsafe levels, the key difference between the two is often dependent on where they are commonly used—in a residential or commercial setting.

Most consumers are buying carbon monoxide alarms for their homes. Carbon monoxide detectors are devices connected to an alarm control unit with a sensor that responds to carbon monoxide, and are typically found in a commercial setting where they are installed, maintained, and inspected by a professional.

Kaz Weida is a former educator turned freelance journalist who started off producing reviews and guides in the home security and telecom industry in 2015; she has tested, researched, and reviewed more products than she count, be it air quality monitors or kids GPS trackers. Kaz had bylines in a wide array of publications and sites including HuffPost, BlogHer, SheKnows, SafeWise, CableTV, and Rosetta Stone, and her work has been featured in Medium, Womens E News, Scary Mommy, and Salt Lake City Weekly. When she's not at her desk, Kaz is in the kitchen crafting and photographing cocktails. 

Diane Haithcock began working for the UL enterprise in 1998 as a project engineer in fire protection. In 2010, she transitioned to the Programs team of UL Standards & Engagement. In this capacity, she serves as chair of ULSE Technical Committees, convening panels of experts to develop and maintain consensus safety standards for the United States and Canada. The standards in her portfolio cover building materials, life safety, and physical security. Haithcock holds a Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering from Florida International University.

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Nicholas Kristof

Forget the Yacht. The Best Travel Is on Foot, Through Wilderness.

By Nicholas Kristof

Opinion Columnist reporting from Mount Hood, Ore.

Some folks think the best way to travel is by private jet. Or yacht. My choice: by foot.

Some think that the best thing about America is its wealth, technology and modernity. Others point to its Democratic institutions. But I’m with the writer Wallace Stegner that America’s “best idea” is our spectacular inheritance of public lands — purple mountain majesties — amounting to about 40 percent of our nation. As Stegner said of our national parks: “Absolutely democratic, they reflect us at our best.”

Some people worship in a church, others in a temple or mosque. I attend the cathedral of the wilderness, for among wildflowers in an alpine meadow we can all connect to something grander than ourselves.

I don’t want to overromanticize the wild; my cathedral has no thermostat, so it’s always too cold or too hot, and it can be filled with mosquitoes. But wilderness still fills me with semireligious awe.

The 17th-century philosopher Baruch Spinoza argued that God and nature were the same, and perhaps in an age of declining religious practice some can find in nature another kind of higher power to be inspired by. Like religion, wild spaces teach us humility and patience (certainly mosquitoes do). Wilderness puts us in our place, calms us, soothes our souls. Like prayer or meditation, walking through the wild gives us an opportunity to detach, to reflect, to self-correct.

So here I am in my alpine cathedral on the slopes of Mount Hood in Oregon, marking the end of summer with my wife, Sheryl WuDunn, as we backpack on the Timberline Trail. My family hikes this loop around the mountain almost every year.

We cowboy camp, without a tent — if rain seems likely we set up a small tarp — and fall asleep watching shooting stars. Then we rise with the first orange rays of the sun: A sunrise serves as caffeine. We stow our sleeping bags and hike, with no schedule or plan. When we’re tired, we rest and eat. When we’re thirsty, we stop at a rushing creek and fill a water bottle with snowmelt. When dusk approaches, we find a flat patch of ground and lay out our sleeping bags.

As we walk, we ponder. What I’m pondering is how lucky we are that our forebears more than a century ago — prophetic leaders like Theodore Roosevelt and Gifford Pinchot — fought industrial interests and succeeded in preserving wild spaces for our public use in 2024, and our great-great-grandchildren’s use in 2124.

The original model for America was to privatize nearly all land, so by one analysis only about 15 percent of New York State is now publicly owned. But over time in newer states, with champions like Roosevelt, national parks and forests were created and more state and city lands set aside as well.

Today a majority of the land in states like Oregon, California, Idaho and Nevada is held by the public. Alaska is an extreme example: About 85 percent of Alaska is set aside for the common good.

I can’t help thinking that if we were to allocate land in today’s more calculating age, America might make a different choice and sell pristine spaces to the highest bidder, perhaps with naming rights to mountains and rivers. This might be Mount Musk, and we’d be outside the fence wistfully exchanging stories of the glaciers on a billionaire’s playground.

Perhaps that would be more efficient. Private landowners might do a better job controlling forest fires than the government. But what a loss for the nation.

On our first night out on this trip, Sheryl and I found a spot under soaring fir trees beside a babbling brook, as the mountain and its glaciers loomed over us. During the night, some large animal, perhaps Bigfoot, woke us by crashing through the brush, adding priceless atmospherics.

This was a spot that no billionaire could buy. It was ours that night, perhaps some other hiker’s the next night, and maybe on the third night Bigfoot had it all to himself. In our shared wilderness, there are no tiers of pricing as at Disneyland; we are all equal before the majesty of nature.

In some parts of America, private beaches are the playgrounds of the affluent. But Oregon beaches are all public, so earlier in the summer my family backpacked on the Oregon Coast Trail, which meanders from Washington to California along deserted beaches (and forced us once, when we miscalculated the tides, to make a run for it around a small cape to avoid the waves). Those glorious beaches are mine, are yours, are ours .

In many ways, America is a class society. Rich and poor live in different neighborhoods, shop at different stores, send kids to different schools and inhabit different worlds. But one place of true democracy is on our public lands.

My daughter and I hiked the 2,650-mile Pacific Crest Trail from Mexico to Canada over six years ( best parenting I ever did ), and the trail was the most egalitarian space I’ve seen. We met C.E.O.s, nurses, construction laborers and students, with none of the usual cues to judge status. We all stank.

In the course of writing a recent memoir , I came to realize that I probably had suffered a mild case of PTSD from covering too many wars and massacres. It was in this same period that I developed a passion for backpacking, and I suspect that I unconsciously prescribed myself wilderness therapy to heal.

It works. I see wild spaces as a place to think, to escape cellphones and editors (sorry, boss!), to connect with loved ones, to be dazzled and humbled by the vastness of space and the slowness of geologic time, to escape class divides, to purge ourselves of frustrations and political toxicity, to bare our souls, to be recharged.

Thank God for America’s best idea.

The Times is committed to publishing a diversity of letters to the editor. We’d like to hear what you think about this or any of our articles. Here are some tips . And here’s our email: [email protected] .

Follow the New York Times Opinion section on Facebook , Instagram , TikTok , WhatsApp , X and Threads .

Nicholas Kristof became a columnist for The Times Opinion desk in 2001 and has won two Pulitzer Prizes. His new memoir is “ Chasing Hope: A Reporter's Life .” @ NickKristof

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Blaming immigrants for eating pets is an old american urban legend.

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Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump debates Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris ... [+] in Philadelphia on September 10, 2024. Blaming immigrants for eating pets was an American urban legend years before Donald Trump spread the baseless rumor about Haitians in Ohio. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)

Blaming immigrants for eating pets was an American urban legend years before Donald Trump spread the rumor about Haitians in Ohio. Following the pattern of other urban legends, such as the “rat in the Coke bottle” and the “Vanishing Hitchhiker,” the legend that newly settled immigrants are eating dogs and cats has been around for decades. The legends are not harmless fun. After Trump and his running mate JD Vance spread the rumors about Haitians, a bomb threat using “hateful language towards immigrants and Haitians” caused an evacuation of City Hall and children to evacuate an elementary school in Springfield, Ohio.

The Controversy

As with other urban legends, the story of Haitians eating local pets was spread not by eyewitnesses but by individuals claiming they heard the story. “The woman behind an early Facebook post spreading a harmful and baseless claim about Haitian immigrants eating local pets that helped thrust a small Ohio city into the national spotlight says she had no firsthand knowledge of any such incident and is now filled with regret and fear as a result of the ensuing fallout,” reported NBC News .

On X (formerly Twitter), vice presidential candidate JD Vance wrote , “Reports now show that people have had their pets abducted and eaten by people who shouldn’t be in this country.”

Donald Trump made the rumor a central argument against immigration during the presidential debate with Kamala Harris. “In Springfield, they're eating the dogs,” he said . “The people that came in. They’re eating the cats. They’re eating—they’re eating the pets of the people that live there. And this is what’s happening in our country. And it’s a shame.”

Trump and Vance fueled the story. However, NBC News reports, “Local police and city officials have repeatedly said there is no evidence of such crimes in Springfield, but that hasn’t stopped the lies from spreading across the country.”

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How much does pet insurance cost in 2022, an american urban legend.

Long before Springfield residents, neo-Nazis and others spread rumors about Haitians, other Americans told tales of immigrants eating pets. “Do not too easily accept the statement . . . that Asian refugees barbecue pet dogs here ‘all the time,’” wrote Jan Harold Brunvand, professor emeritus at the University of Utah, in 1986.

Brunvand identified stories from the 1980s about Asian refugees eating pets that emerged in Salt Lake City, Utah, Stockton, California, Fairfax, Virginia and elsewhere. “Evidence was supposedly found in garbage cans, and people had heard about Vietnamese wanting to buy puppies or kittens to use for food,” wrote Brunvand in his book The Mexican Pet , one of several books he authored compiling folklore or urban legends. (Journalist Brandy Zadrozny found a 1987 article on the topic.)

Brunvand noted there is typically a racial element to the rumors. “These examples of modern folklore are similar to earlier stories about pet remains found in garbage cans behind Chinese restaurants.”

As if anticipating the current urban legend about Haitians and pets in Springfield, Ohio, Brunvand writes, “Another common twist is the notion that there has been a recent rash of missing pets in the community; the statistics on such crimes, dug up by some enterprising reporter, usually prove to be normal.”

In 1999, in a later book, Too Good To Be True , Brunvand described news stories on allegations of immigrants eating pets: “These items are typical of many similar articles that have appeared in the American press since Southeast Asian refugees began arriving in large numbers during the 1970s and ‘80s. Vague rumors about disappearing pets, strange cooking odors, and supposedly larger problems with pet-eating in another state—usually California—are standard features of such stories.”

Brunvand added, “The prejudices displayed in American ‘eaten pet’ stories are generally directed against Asians, and occasionally immigrants from southern or eastern Europe.”

Today, Haitians are the disfavored group, making the current stories different from those of the past. There is another 2024 twist on the urban legend about immigrants eating pets. In 2024, a former president and his current running mate are the ones spreading the story.

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Beachside Bistro

Updated 2 months ago

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Scratch Kitchen on the Bayou! By car or boat!

Executive Chef, Joseph Castoro, is a graduate of the prestigious Florida Culinary Institute, Joe has over 30 years of fine dining… read more

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Locally owned & operated

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10408 Hwy 603

Bay Saint Louis, MS 39520

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We are a locally owned and operated Scratch Kitchen with access by both car and boat. We use locally sourced vendors and purveyors to bring a unique twist on regional flavors in a Coastal Dining atmosphere. …

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Last time I was in town I had posted on social media looking for stuffed artichokes and Michelle immediately jumped in and asked how many did I want. I picked them up early on a Saturday and they were the best I've ever had. They definitely reminded me what I miss not living on the Coast anymore! Staff was friendly and even brought them to my car because they were fresh out the oven and he didn't want me burning my hands. I can't wait to go back home to try something else on the menu!

Stuffed artichokes

We were with another couple so I'll give it my best shot! My husband had a burger and said it was very good and cooked perfectly. He loved the hand-cut fries! I had the scallops over risotto and asparagus with a yummy lemon butter sauce. Scallops were so fresh and perfectly cooked. I loved the dish. Our friend who ordered the scallops said they were okay. My girlfriend ordered the chicken piccata and seemed to enjoy the dish and said it was good. Service was very good, attentive without being annoying! This was actually the second time I've been and went to lunch for the burgers. So so good! Fries are amazing too. Highly recommend.

Chicken piccata

Scallops over risotto with asparagus and a lemon butter sauce.

We tried it Saturday night...Service was poor.. I had the grilled chicken breast with pasta....ordered penne but they were out...pasta came out warm with a small breast...horrible for 22.00....my wife had the scallops...very bad food...will never go back

Food was soooo good. They serve beer and wine and mocktails. Waiting on their liquor license.

Amazing food and service! Breakfast and lunch menu. Our group had the tried and true breakfast and burgers. Everything was good! Mr Tallyman pancake stack for dessert. Good to have another breakfast place in bsl/Waveland area!

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