Raymarine Radar Chosen by Blessey Marine for Safer U.S. Waterways
Raymarine radar has been selected by Blessey Marine to enhance navigation safety and efficiency across America’s busiest inland waterways.
The Pafinderth commercial radar system will be installed across Blessey Marine’s towboat and barge fleet, supporting safer transport of bulk liquid cargoes throughout major U.S. river systems.
Introduction
Inland waterways are the backbone of America’s bulk transportation network, moving energy products, chemicals, and raw materials that power industries and communities nationwide. Navigating these waterways safely is no small task. Heavy traffic, narrow channels, variable weather, and limited visibility demand navigation technology that is not only powerful, but also reliable and intuitive for crews operating under pressure.
Against this backdrop, Blessey Marine Services, one of the largest inland tank barge operators in the United States, has selected Raymarine radar technology to support fleet-wide navigation upgrades. The decision underscores a broader shift across the commercial maritime sector toward modern, integrated marine navigation systems designed specifically for inland and near-coastal operations.
This article explores why Raymarine radar was chosen, what the Pathfinder Radar System brings to commercial operators, and how this deployment reflects evolving standards in commercial marine safety, compliance, and operational efficiency.
Raymarine Radar Selection: What Was Announced
Raymarine has announced that its Pathfinder Radar System has been selected by Blessey Marine to support the company’s inland towboat and barge fleet operating across the United States.
The agreement will see Raymarine commercial radars and displays installed across Blessey Marine’s full fleet, including both new builds and refitted vessels, in compliance with modern regulatory and safety
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Key Facts at a Glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Technology Selected | Raymarine Pathfinder Radar System |
| Operator | Blessey Marine Services, Inc. |
| Fleet Type | Inland towboats and tank barges |
| Operating Regions | Mississippi River, Ohio River Valley, Gulf-Intracoastal Waterway |
| Primary Benefit | Improved safety, visibility, and navigation efficiency |
| Use Case | Commercial marine radar for inland waterways |
Practical Insight from Inland Operations
From a real-world operational perspective, inland captains rely on radar not just for collision avoidance, but for maintaining situational awareness when visual references disappear. Experienced towboat operators often describe radar as their “second set of eyes,” particularly on rivers like the Mississippi where visibility can change within minutes.
Raymarine’s commercial systems are engineered to provide that clarity without overwhelming crews with complexity—an important factor when crews rotate and vessels operate continuously.
Inside the Pathfinder Radar System
The Pathfinder Radar System is Raymarine’s commercial-grade radar platform built for demanding maritime environments, including inland and coastal operations.
What Sets Pathfinder Apart
Direct answer: Pathfinder radar combines high-powered radar processing with intuitive displays, allowing crews to identify targets, shorelines, and navigation hazards quickly and accurately.
Key capabilities include:
- High-definition radar imagery for precise target separation
- Fast target acquisition in congested waterways
- Reliable performance in rain, fog, and darkness
- Integration with electronic chart systems (ECDIS-like displays)
- Commercial-grade durability and compliance
Unlike recreational systems adapted for light commercial use, Pathfinder radars are designed from the ground up for professional operators.
Ease of Installation and Fleet Standardization
For large fleets like Blessey Marine’s, ease of installation and consistency across vessels are critical. Pathfinder systems are known for:
- Modular components that simplify retrofits
- Standardized user interfaces across vessel classes
- Reduced downtime during installation
This minimizes disruption to operations while improving fleet-wide training and familiarity.
Blessey Marine: A Leader in Inland Tank Barge Operations
Operating since 1978, Blessey Marine Services, Inc. owns and operates one of the largest inland tank barge and vessel fleets in the United States.
Fleet and Cargo Profile
Blessey Marine transports a wide range of liquid cargoes, including:
- Residual fuels
- Asphalt
- Lubricating oils
- Petroleum feedstocks
- Refined petroleum products
- Petrochemicals
- Alcohols
- Liquefied natural gas (LNG)
These cargoes demand strict safety standards, making navigation accuracy and situational awareness non-negotiable.
Executive Perspective
Clark Todd, President and CEO of Blessey Marine, emphasized the strategic importance of navigation technology:
“If we don’t have powerful, reliable, and easy-to-use tools, then we’re not operating at our fullest potential. Working with Raymarine and employing its world-class navigational tools helps our fleet eliminate challenges that we’ve faced and brings an incredible increase in safety.”
This perspective reflects a broader industry reality: technology adoption is no longer optional—it is central to competitiveness and compliance.
The Role of Commercial Marine Radar in Safety and Compliance
Commercial marine radar is a cornerstone of modern inland navigation safety, supporting compliance with U.S. Coast Guard and industry best practices.
Regulatory Context
While regulations vary by vessel type and operating area, radar systems are increasingly required or strongly recommended for:
- New vessel builds
- Major refits
- Operations in reduced visibility
- High-traffic waterways
Equipping vessels with standardized, proven radar systems helps operators meet both regulatory expectations and insurer requirements.
Risk Reduction in Real Terms
From a risk management standpoint, radar contributes to:
- Reduced collision incidents
- Earlier hazard detection
- Improved decision-making during poor visibility
- Enhanced crew confidence and situational awareness
These benefits translate directly into fewer incidents, less downtime, and lower long-term operational costs.
How Raymarine Integrates with Modern Marine Navigation Systems
Raymarine radar systems are designed to function as part of an integrated marine navigation ecosystem.
System-Level Integration
On commercial vessels, radar does not operate in isolation. Pathfinder radar integrates with:
- Electronic chart displays
- AIS (Automatic Identification System)
- GPS and heading sensors
- Depth sounders
- Networked bridge displays
This integration allows crews to overlay radar targets onto electronic charts, improving spatial understanding—especially valuable in river bends and congested terminals.
Human-Centered Design
One often overlooked factor in navigation safety is usability. Raymarine’s commercial interfaces prioritize:
- Electronic chart displays
- AIS (Automatic Identification System)
- GPS and heading sensors
- Depth sounders
- Networked bridge displays
For fleets with multiple crews and vessels, this reduces training time and operator error.
Real-World Scenario: Radar on the Mississippi River
Direct answer: On rivers like the Mississippi, radar enables towboat captains to safely navigate blind bends, dense fog, and heavy traffic where visual navigation alone is insufficient.
Consider a typical night operation:
- Visibility drops due to river fog
- Multiple barge tows converge near a terminal
- Shore lights obscure visual references
In this scenario, high-resolution radar allows crews to track vessel movements, identify shoreline contours, and maintain safe separation distances—all in real time.
Operators who have transitioned from older analog systems to modern digital radar often report immediate improvements in confidence and decision-making.
Industry Perspective: Why This Selection Matters
Jamie Dery, Vice President of Sales for the Americas at Raymarine, highlighted the broader impact:
“The Blessey fleet operates on some of the busiest inland waterways across the U.S., and we’re confident that Raymarinetechnologies will instill an elevated level of safety and efficiency to captains and crews.”
From an industry standpoint, this partnership signals:
- Growing adoption of advanced radar inland
- Increased standardization across large fleets
- Rising expectations for navigation technology performance
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Raymarine radar used for in commercial vessels?
Raymarine radar is used for collision avoidance, navigation in low visibility, target tracking, and situational awareness on commercial vessels operating inland and coastal waterways.
Why did Blessey Marine choose Raymarine radar?
Blessey Marine selected Raymarine radar for its reliability, ease of use, commercial-grade performance, and ability to improve safety and efficiency across a large inland fleet.
What is the Pathfinder Radar System?
The Pathfinder Radar System is Raymarine’s commercial radar platform designed for professional maritime operations, offering high-resolution imaging and seamless integration with marine navigation systems.
Is radar required on inland towboats?
Radar requirements depend on vessel type, build date, and operating area, but radar is increasingly required or strongly recommended for safety and compliance on inland waterways.
How does radar improve inland navigation safety?
Radar allows crews to detect vessels, shorelines, and hazards in fog, rain, darkness, and congested waterways, reducing collision risk and improving decision-making.
Can Raymarine radar integrate with AIS and charts?
Yes. Raymarine radar integrates with AIS, GPS, and electronic charts, allowing radar targets to be overlaid for enhanced situational awareness.
Operators evaluating upgrades to their commercial marine radar or marine navigation systems should consider proven solutions designed specifically for inland operations and backed by real-world fleet adoption.
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