Industries & Applications
Marine
Ultrasonic wind sensors and compact weather stations for marine applications
Marine applications
- Dynamic Positioning Systems (DPS) - Many marine operations depend on holding a vessel precisely in position to operate safely and efficiently. From oceanographic research and cable-laying to offshore drilling and large passenger vessels, dynamic positioning systems continuously counteract wind, waves and currents. High-accuracy wind data from onboard sensors feeds directly into the DPS, enabling it to calculate exactly how much force thrusters must apply to maintain position and heading.
- Environmental monitoring and marine research - Coastal and offshore environments are under growing pressure from rising sea levels, stronger storms and long-term climate change. Understanding these impacts requires consistent, long-term monitoring of physical, chemical and biological conditions. Reliable meteorological data plays a critical role in assessing coastal vulnerability, supporting research programmes, and improving the accuracy of predictive models.
- Improved passenger experience - Cruise vessels use real-time wind data alongside other navigational inputs to optimise routing and avoid adverse weather where possible. Smarter course corrections help maintain onboard comfort, reduce disruption to facilities, and deliver a more consistent experience for passengers throughout the journey.
- Safer ship navigation - Accurate wind measurement is a regulatory and operational requirement for safe navigation. Ships must continuously record and display weather data, including wind speed and direction, on the bridge. This information allows captains to anticipate and route around severe weather, improving safety for both crew and passengers.
- Sustainable maritime solutions - Wind-assisted propulsion systems such as rotor sails are increasingly adopted across bulk carriers, tankers, LNG and LPG vessels, ferries and RoRo ships, both as retrofits and on new builds. These systems offer a proven route to reducing fuel consumption and emissions in line with International Maritime Organization targets. Ultrasonic anemometers and weather stations provide the environmental intelligence needed to optimise rotor sail performance and support data-led operational decisions.
Application notes
- Compact weather stations on buoys for coastal monitoring
- Dynamic positioning systems for ships & oil platforms
- Gill R3 chosen for real-time motion correction
- Inside Hurricane Fiona with WindMaster
- On-board weather data for MAS autonomous ship
- Rotor sails: precise and robust wind and weather sensors drive sustainable maritime solutions
- Smartsound AutoNaut, scientific research vessel, equipped with sophisticated array of sensors
- WindObserver provides accuracy and environmental robustness for a precision system
Recommended weather instruments for marine applications...
MaxiMet Compact Weather Station
MaxiMet is an advanced compact weather station designed and manufactured by Gill Instruments using proven technology to measure meteorological and environmental parameters to international standards.
MaxiMet Marine Weather Station
Best suited to applications requiring a complete meteorological view from a single unit. MaxiMet supports onboard monitoring and dynamic positioning systems by delivering multiple weather parameters in a compact, integrated package.
MetConnect Weather Station
Built for flexibility and long-term scalability. MetConnect is ideal when installations need to accommodate additional sensors or adapt to changing operational requirements over time.
WindUltra Ultrasonic Anemometer
The first choice where performance, durability and installation flexibility must coexist. Designed for modern marine platforms where space is limited but data quality remains critical
WindObserver Ultrasonic Anemometer
Selected for environments where wind data directly supports safety and operational decisions. WindObserver provides high-accuracy measurements in demanding conditions where reliability is essential.
WindSonic Ultrasonic Anemometer
A straightforward, dependable solution for core wind measurement. WindSonic delivers consistent performance with minimal maintenance, making it a practical choice across a wide range of marine applications.
| Product | Primary Role in Marine Use | Sensor Type / Scope | Best for | Key Strength | Maintenance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WindUltra Ultrasonic Anemometer | High-performance wind sensing in minimal space | 2-axis | Space-constrained, retrofit and integrated systems | Ultra-compact design with exceptional environmental resilience | Very low |
| WindSonic Ultrasonic Anemometer | Reliable, cost-efficient wind measurement | 2-axis ultrasonic | General marine wind monitoring requirements | Simple, robust, maintenance-free operation | Very low |
| WindObserver Ultrasonic Anemometer | Precision wind data for critical operations | 3-axis ultrasonic | Safety-critical and high-demand marine environments | Proven accuracy and durability under extreme conditions | Low |
| MaxiMet Marine Weather Station | Complete onboard weather intelligence | Integrated multi-parameter weather station | Vessels and platforms requiring full meteorological data | All-in-one, certified, plug-and-play deployment | Low |
| MetConnect Weather Station | Scalable environmental monitoring platform | Modular weather station | Complex or evolving marine installations | Flexible sensor integration and system expansion | Medium |