I have received several emails, and a couple of comments to the Blog (see prior Blog under comments) concerning the alarm diagram, our security system and plan. Just a couple of comments:
George...the switches are momentary 'horn' type switches. The first relay (relay to the far left) is a 'locking' or latching relay circuit. Once the horn button is pushed, the circuit is activated and the bells etc continue whether the switch is being pushed or not. The only way to shut it off is to shut off the power at the circuit breaker.
Mike picked up a similar issue...ie. there is no 'reset' in the diagram. This is correct. I wanted the alarm to be 'difficult' to deactivate. So, as mentioned above the only way to shut it off is to cut the power. That is the primary reason why I used a 'horn' type switch, and not a regular on//off toggle switch.
Geoff... The sleeping area on Persephone is the V-birth; so an open hatch over the V-birth is necessary for ventilation. The hatch is nearly 22 inches square, big enough for a perp to jump through. When speaking with Kate and Allen, their attackers entered their boat through the V-birth hatch. So, I put 1" stainless steel tubes across the opening to prevent this from happening. The tubes are attractive, and don't interfere with airflow, the screen or operation of the hatch. The main midships hatch is closed and locked at night. We have screens in solid frames for the companionway entrance and the slider is locked with a barrel bolt so that it can be securely locked from inside (and unreachable from the cockpit). If Persephone were in an area that was very insecure (St. Vincent for example), I can substitute the screens for the solid 3/4 teak hatch boards.
Bottom line, the cabin can secured, with lots of outside noise and light... Hopefully, it will never be needed !This is a picture of the the hatch security system.....
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| 1" stainless tubing, Taco brand standard end caps, and bimini attachment hardware tapped into the aluminum frame of the hatch. The result is incredibly strong and unobtrusive. |
Goeff on "Beach House" sent a comment quoting Dylan: "The times they are a changing". This Blog used to be dedicated to beaches, bars, and beers.....promise to get back there soon...
Capt Dave
Hi Dave,
ReplyDeleteThis is in lieu of email 'cause I don't have yours and is not a comment.
I like the approach to the bars and I take it they're to deter someone from getting inside while you are aboard.
We don't have bars but can limit the opening of the hatch. Downside is it limits air flow.
Neither system will stop you from being shot, speared or machetted in bed but we hope it doesn't get to that in these waters.
Neither system will stop an intruder who really wants to gain egress. In my case good cutters will sever the cable in your case a heavy boot will stomp the bars in.
We know a boat in the Western Carib with custom made bars welded into a frame which is bolted to the hatch frame. They can still get shot but will need really hefty tools to get past the "prison" bars.
having said all that I'm going to look into doing a similar thing to BH but may have to mount them for-aft.
TTFN
Geoff