News

The best marine infrared cameras: which to choose

October 16, 2025

At sea, safety begins with what cannot be seen. At night, or in low-visibility conditions, conventional video cameras are not enough. Marine infrared thermal cameras, however, detect the heat emitted by people, objects and surfaces, offering an alternative view even in complete darkness.

It is important to note, however, that the performance of thermal cameras can decrease significantly in dense fog or heavy rain. In such scenarios, the infrared radiation is attenuated by moisture in the air, reducing both the effective range and the sharpness of the images. Nevertheless, they remain valuable tools, especially when integrated with other onboard systems.

Thermal cameras for night-time navigation

To avoid obstacles, detect people in the water or follow a safe course in low-visibility conditions, using a thermal camera provides an added layer of safety.

Important note: Like all thermal cameras, these models may show reduced performance in heavy rain or dense fog conditions. In such conditions, combined use with radar is always recommended.

Thanks to its extensive experience, E-Nav has acquired three models, providing customers with a wide choice of different brands:

iSmart Thermal Maritime

Designed for professional night-time navigation, this thermal camera delivers high-resolution thermal imaging.

  • Excellent performance in complete darkness
  • Stabile operation even in complex marine conditions
  • Suitable for working vessels, patrol boats, yachts and megayachts

Omnisense by Infravision

An advanced solution for the maritime sector. The Omnisense model is well known for its thermal precision and durability in extreme environments.

  • High sensitivity
  • Easy to use
  • Wide compatibility with other devices

FLIR / Teledyne

  • High sensitivity
  • Easy to use
  • Wide compatibility with other devices
  • Suitable for working vessels, patrol boats, yachts and megayachts

E-Nav infrared solutions: custom thermal cameras for the maritime sector

E-Nav Infrared Solutions offers a range of customisable thermal cameras to suit every type of marine or industrial requirement.

Whether for technical inspections, safety monitoring or highly-critical scenarios, E-Nav can provide tailored systems, even for complex environments and harsh operating conditions.

SEW software for thermal cameras: intelligent monitoring and fire prevention

Infrared technology is a key asset for protecting people, vessels and operations at sea. Even taking into account its limitations under extreme weather conditions, a thermal camera remains a valuable tool for anticipating risk and supporting crew decisions.

With solutions such as iSmart Thermal Maritime, Omnisense by Infravision, FLIR / Teledyne and a complete customisable range from E-Nav Infrared Solutions, every maritime operation can rely on an effective system for real-time thermal vision and monitoring.

To maximise the effectiveness of onboard thermal cameras, E-Nav Infrared Solutions has developed SEW (Safety Early Warning), an advanced software for the intelligent management of marine thermographic systems.

SEW turns thermal cameras into digital lookouts, active 24/7, capable of automatically detecting abnormal heat patterns, early hotspots and dangerous situations such as thermal runaway in lithium batteries. The software uses artificial intelligence algorithms to distinguish between normal thermal variations and genuine safety threats.

Key features of SEW:

  • Continuous monitoring of engine rooms, equipment cabinets and critical areas
  • Intelligent alarms configurable for temperature, smoke and flame
  • Direct integration with fire suppression systems and onboard automation
  • Centralised dashboard for monitoring and control from bridge or operations centre
  • Broad compatibility with marine thermal cameras from E-Nav, FLIR and other brands

With SEW, fire prevention becomes proactive. The system does not wait for a problem to become evident: it intercepts it before it becomes critical, protecting crew, passengers and onboard assets.