SPC FAME Initiatives: Maintenance of Electronic Surveillance Tools

1. Maintenance
of electronic surveillance tools
Coastal Fisheries MCS & E
Comm L2 – Maintenance of
mobile electronic surveillance
tools

2. Mobile electronic equipment
maintenance
• Electronics and the maritime environment don’t mix well
• Electronics don’t like water or salt and add in the humidity
of the tropics, it’s easy to see why electronic devices used
in coastal fisheries areas need extra care and maintenance
• Most coastal fishery inspections
or investigations will involve the
use of mobile electronic
devices such as camera’s,
videos, GPS units and possibly
drones
• Important these work when
needed!!

3. Electronic Hardware examples:
- mobile phones and portable VHF radios
- Video and voice recorders, laptops, tablets, notebooks
- GPS units and positioning devices
- Torches, emergency beacons, strobe lights, and
- any equipment that will be used that has electronic circuitry
• Need to be kept dry at all times (even if waterproof)
• protected in a solid carry case that is at least water
resistant and lockable is advantageous

4. Electronic Equipment maintenance
• Switches/dials/buttons – should be checked to ensure they
work and repaired or replaced when they don’t. If
repairing, do it properly rather than a patch up job
• Batteries, all types – must be stored in a dry watertight
container and kept charged if rechargeable – check every 4-
6 months and recharge as necessary
• Batteries should be removed from electronic devices that
are not in regular use or being stored to prevent corrosion
around the battery terminals and connections
• Connecting cables, microphones, remote controls etc-
should be cleaned regularly and checked for damage.
Deficiencies should be repaired or replaced, loose screws
tightened and everything tested to make sure it works!

5. Develop a maintenance schedule
• A checklist of regular
maintenance requirements is a
great way to ensure your
equipment is operational and
will work when required
• This should be checked before
and after every MCS operation
• little value in trying to film a
potential offence for use as
evidence if you have to change
the batteries first!