MSC Cruises Installs Smart Video Surveillance System

MSC Cruises has developed a new video surveillance system that will allow for rapid intervention in man overboard situations. After a successful pilot test, the intelligent video capturing and analysis system, developed in conjunction with Bosch and Hewlett Packard Enterprise, is now operational on MSC Cruises’ latest flagship, MSC Meraviglia.

The new MSC Cruises system consists of a comprehensive shield of intelligent optical and thermal video cameras which provide non-stop comprehensive surveillance of the relevant exterior parts of the ship. All captured video images are streamed in real-time to a Central Security Room and monitored together with all other inputs from the 1,200 high-definition closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras on board the ship. 

A significant part of the development involved programming the software to provide reliable and accurate data, and video images are processed and analyzed by two separate and independent image processing systems. This double security system has significantly lowered the error margin for false alerts – typically caused by natural movements such as waves, reflection of sun or moon or a bird triggering the alarm. These ordinary movements usually pose significant challenges for current shipboard CCTV technology. Through over 25,000 hours of video analysis, extensive software testing and continuous algorithmic updates, the system has now reached a confirmed accuracy level of 97 percent. 

In case of alarm, an acoustic signal and light will alert the ship’s Security Officer in the Central Security Room who can immediately connect to the system and acquire all images and data and, if necessary, retrieve or review the relevant video images. The Security Officer has direct access to the ship command at the bridge to allow for immediate action. 

Pierfrancesco Vago, MSC Cruises’ Executive Chairman said: “We have developed a highly-innovative solution that, through the use of military-grade technology, will allow ship command to take immediate action if needed. While a ship at sea is a challenging environment for accurate video security monitoring and operating high-tech equipment, our teams have managed to successfully develop a system that is at the same time accurate, stable and reliable.”

Over time, similar integrated systems will be developed and deployed across MSC Cruises’ global fleet.