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 also showcases 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 members of staff if something had happened.

It was imperative that a smooth system be introduced that maintained the safety of the employees, and the general public.

Solution:

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

The Bluetooth beacons connect the radios the security guards handle to the operating room. When a security guard enters a room, the beacon picks up the radio’s signal and sends it to the operating room, where their location can be seen and tracked on a map of the area and through the security cameras.

All radio system activity is monitored and recorded on the operator’s console, including both audio and video recording.

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 feature waterproof and dustproof builds, loud and clear audio, and long battery life.

The security guards’ signals can be picked up anywhere from around the museum, including the HMAS Vampire, HMAS Onslow, Duyfken and the replica Endeavor.

Results:

• Extended range communications that cover the large expanse of the museum
• Increased safety for employees and the general public

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