When conditions change,
ships need more than a compass

Ships measure wind to understand the environmental conditions acting on the vessel and to support navigation, route planning, weather avoidance, vessel handling and operational decisions. Wind information can also support applications such as dynamic positioning, autonomous navigation and passenger-comfort management. Gill provides ultrasonic wind sensors and integrated weather stations for marine wind measurement.

The appropriate marine wind sensor depends on the vessel, mounting location, required wind range, accuracy, environmental conditions, output interface and any applicable marine approvals. Gill provides WindSonic for compact, low-power applications, WindObserver for robust marine installations and MaxiMet Marine where integrated weather measurement is required.

Yes. Selected Gill marine wind sensors and weather stations support NMEA 0183, allowing wind and weather data to be incorporated into compatible marine navigation, display and monitoring systems. Other available interfaces include RS232, RS422, RS485 and Modbus, depending on the product and configuration.

A sensor on a moving ship measures apparent wind, which is the wind relative to the vessel. True wind can be calculated by combining the apparent wind measurement with the vessel’s speed, heading and course. MaxiMet Marine can calculate true wind onboard using wind measurement, GPS and a 6-axis compass on applicable configurations.

Apparent wind is the wind experienced relative to a moving vessel. True wind describes the wind relative to the surrounding environment, independent of the vessel’s own movement. Calculating true wind requires the apparent-wind measurement to be combined with information about vessel speed and direction of travel.

Ultrasonic wind sensors measure wind speed and direction without rotating cups, vanes or bearings. This removes mechanical components from the wind-sensing mechanism and eliminates associated mechanical wear. Gill has more than 40 years of experience in ultrasonic wind measurement, with products designed for marine and offshore applications.

Maintenance requirements depend on the sensor, installation environment and vessel’s maintenance procedures. Ultrasonic wind sensors do not have rotating wind-sensing components, so there are no cups, vanes or bearings to wear as part of the wind measurement mechanism. Inspection, cleaning and any required verification or calibration should follow the product documentation and the vessel operator’s procedures.

A ship’s wind sensor should be positioned where it can obtain a representative measurement while minimising airflow disturbance from masts, superstructure, exhausts and other equipment. The appropriate mounting location depends on the vessel design and the purpose of the measurement. Gill can provide application guidance when selecting and positioning a marine wind sensor.

Yes. Gill provides marine wind sensors designed for exposed environments, including configurations using 316 stainless steel construction, environmental protection and heating where required. The appropriate product should be selected according to the vessel, installation conditions, temperature range, icing risk and applicable marine requirements.

The wind-speed range should reflect the conditions the vessel and installation are expected to encounter, including credible maximum conditions. Specifying a range that is unnecessarily large can add cost without providing useful additional capability, while insufficient range can leave the measurement outside specification when conditions become severe. Gill provides sensors covering different wind-speed ranges, including WindSonic, WindObserver and WindUltra configurations.

A marine anemometer is a wind sensor designed to measure wind speed and direction in a vessel or offshore environment. Marine anemometers may need to withstand salt spray, moisture, vibration, temperature changes and icing, while also providing appropriate communications and approvals. Gill’s marine anemometers use ultrasonic technology rather than rotating mechanical wind-sensing components.

Yes. Ultrasonic wind sensors can measure low wind speeds without the mechanical inertia associated with rotating cups or vanes. Selected Gill configurations have a starting threshold of 0.01 m/s, making them suitable for applications where low-speed wind measurement matters.

Consider the required wind-speed range and accuracy alongside the mounting location, environmental exposure, icing risk, power consumption, communications interface, output rate and any marine approvals or certification requirements. The receiving navigation or monitoring system should also be considered before selecting the sensor interface. Gill can help match the sensor configuration to the vessel and application.

Yes. An integrated weather station can combine several meteorological measurements within one instrument, reducing the number of separate devices and installation points required. Gill’s MaxiMet Marine range combines wind with measurements such as temperature, humidity and pressure, with GPS and compass functionality available on selected configurations.

Autonomous vessels require environmental data to understand changing conditions without relying on a crew member to observe an instrument. Wind speed and direction can form part of the wider environmental data set used by autonomous navigation and monitoring systems. Gill provides ultrasonic wind sensors and integrated weather stations for autonomous marine applications.

Dynamic positioning systems can use wind speed and direction as an environmental input to help anticipate forces acting on the vessel. The wind measurement forms part of a wider data set that can include position, heading, motion and machinery feedback. Gill provides marine ultrasonic wind sensors suitable for applications where environmental wind data forms part of the DP architecture.

Marine vessels can use sensors for weather, position, liquid level and machinery condition alongside wind measurement. Gill provides non-contact Blade position sensors, solid-state liquid level sensors and WearDetect oil debris monitoring, allowing measurement requirements across different parts of a vessel to be addressed through complementary technologies.

Non-contact position sensors can provide feedback from rudders, thrusters, hatches, ramps, davits and cranes without mechanical contact at the sensing point. Gill’s Blade sensors provide linear and rotary position measurement and can be configured with analogue, PWM, RS232 or RS485 outputs depending on the model.

Liquid level sensors are used to provide continuous measurement of fuel, ballast, bilge and other tank levels. Gill’s LevelPro, LevelLite and LevelSlick sensors use solid-state capacitive technology without mechanical floats, with different constructions available for different fluids and installation requirements.

Oil debris monitoring detects metallic wear particles carried in lubricating oil, providing information about developing machinery wear between planned inspections or overhauls. Gill’s WearDetect can monitor fine and coarse ferrous debris alongside water presence and oil temperature in engines, gearboxes and thruster drives.

Calibration requirements depend on the instrument, application, quality requirements and applicable procedures. Where traceable calibration is required, an appropriate accredited laboratory can provide independent verification against recognised references. Labcal is an independent UKAS-accredited calibration laboratory supporting Gill equipment and equipment from other manufacturers across six measurement parameters.

There is no single calibration interval appropriate for every vessel or wind sensor. The appropriate interval depends on the equipment, application, required measurement confidence, quality system and applicable procedures or standards. Operators should establish an interval appropriate to the intended use and maintain records of calibration where required.

Approval depends on the individual product and configuration. Selected Gill marine wind sensors have Lloyd’s Register Type Approval, while WindObserver II also has ABS Product Design Assessment. The relevant approval should always be checked against the specific vessel, installation and project requirements.

Yes. Gill can assess the vessel type, mounting location, environmental conditions, required measurement range, communications interface and applicable approvals to help identify an appropriate configuration. This can be particularly useful for retrofit projects where physical space, existing cabling and bridge-system interfaces constrain the choice.

Gill provides product datasheets, manuals and technical documentation through its website and support resources. Product-specific documentation should be used to confirm current specifications, interfaces, installation requirements and certification before equipment is incorporated into a vessel design.