Smart, Self-Contained M860 Lanterns Transform AtoN Monitoring in Colombia
With a vast territory and increasing maritime traffic, Colombia’s maritime authority DIMAR needed a scalable and reliable way to manage Aids to Navigation across remote inland and coastal regions. The deployment of M860 satellite-connected LED lanterns provided a unified system with remote diagnostics, enhancing both safety and operational efficiency nationwide.
Background & Challenge
Dirección General Marítima (DIMAR) oversees more than 928, 000 km² of Colombia’s coastal and inland waterways. Growing trade volumes have placed new demands on the nation’s buoyage network:
- Outdated, power-hungry lanterns generated high maintenance costs
- Many Aids to Navigation (AtoNs) lay beyond reliable GSM coverage, forcing crews to perform labour-intensive visual inspections
- DIMAR needed a single, centrally monitored system that could scale across a vast and geographically diverse territory
To modernise the network, DIMAR planned a roll-out covering 49 lateral, 2 safe-water, 11 cardinal, 23 danger buoys and several shore beacons—many of them in remote locations.
Solution for Wide-Area Asset Management – M860 Lanterns with Satellite Monitoring
Working with local partner Iner Consultores, S.A., DIMAR selected the Sabik M860 self-contained marine lantern—integrating IALA-compliant LED optics, high-efficiency solar panels and an on-board satellite modem in one compact unit.
Key features delivered:
- All-in-one hardware – no external solar panels, cabling or connectors
- Global satellite link – dependable two-way data in regions without GSM service
- Automated dashboard – real-time health metrics, geo-position reporting and historical data trending
- GPS fencing & drift alarms – instant e-mail alerts if a buoy moves off-station
- Advanced power management – Maximum Power Point Tracking and automatic light-intensity control (ALC) to safeguard battery life.
Outcome: M860 Network Cuts Maintenance and Boosts Safety Across DIMAR Waters
After a pilot at the busy ports of Cartagena and Buenaventura, DIMAR deployed the M860 solution fleet-wide. Results include:
- Lower operating costs – fewer site visits thanks to remote diagnostics
- Higher lantern availability – proactive alerts allow issues to be addressed before failures occur
- Improved navigational confidence – reliable, bright LED signals guide vessels day and night, even in isolated regions
