Case Study: Australian National Maritime Museum

The Australian Maritime Museum is the only Federally funded museum in NSW, located in the heart of Darling Harbour. It houses Australia’s rich maritime heritage with a series of historic collections, exhibitions, and experiences. It proudly hosts one of the world’s largest floating historical vessel collections, including the HMAS Vampire, the HMAS Onslow, and a replica of Captain Cook’s ‘Endeavor’.

Challenge:

The museum welcomes over 850,000 visitors annually, and being in the heart of Sydney, the area garners a lot of foot traffic at all hours of the day. As well as visitors, the museum hosts a team of dedicated employees and volunteers, who occasionally find themselves working alone on the floating vessels, or conducting workshops. While they are checked on frequently throughout their shift, there is a risk of something happening between checks, and they needed a way for these employees to alert other staff members if something had happened.

A smooth system needed to be introduced that maintained the safety of the employees, and the general public.

Solution:

National Wireless provided a system comprised of repeaters, Bluetooth beacons, an operator’s console, and brand-new Motorola DP3661e’s each equipped with a man-down alarm.

Bluetooth Beacons: These connect the radios carried by security to the operating room. When a guard enters a designated area, the beacon picks up the radio’s signal, relaying it to the operating room, where their location can be seen and tracked on a map of the area and through the security cameras. Enabling real-time tracking of the guard’s location enhances security and surveillance.

Motorola DP3661e Radios: The radios were upgraded from the Motorola DP2400 to the DP3661e, and each came equipped with an automated man-down alarm. This is called an “Integrated accelerometer” which can sense if you have fallen and automatically calls for assistance. The alarm is sent out to other guards and the operating room if the radio tips more than 45 degrees after 30 seconds. This way, if a security guard has injured themselves or finds themself in an emergency in an isolated area of the museum, they can alert people hands-free and get help.

Alongside the man-down alarm, these radios boast waterproof and dustproof builds, loud and clear audio, and long battery life.

This hands-free alert system ensures swift assistance and can be picked up anywhere within the museum, including on the floating vessels.

Operators Console: All radio system activity is monitored and recorded on the operator’s console, including both audio and video recording. This comprehensive oversight enhances the museum’s ability to respond promptly to any situation.

Results:

With National Wireless’s tailored solution, the Australian Maritime Museum has fortified its commitment to safety and security. The integration of advanced technologies not only ensures the well-being of employees and volunteers but also enhances the overall visitor experience, making it a beacon of maritime exploration in the heart of Sydney.

We’d like to thank the Australian National Maritime Museum for their continued support.