Marine Applications

At sea, pitch and roll movements of boats, ships or USVs caused by the swell present a challenge for data acquisition processes. If sensors are mounted without stabilization, they are exposed to the movements of the vessel, which results in numerous sources of error. SOMAG AG Jena’s marine Mount portfolio was specifically designed for marine applications to precisely stabilize sensors in extremely harsh environments. The design of the units allows the adaption of a wide range of cameras and scanners, making the devices very versatile for various applications, such as surveillance tasks for which gyro stabilization makes a noticeable difference.

Electro-Optical/Infra-Red systems are usually used for this purpose, as they provide both visible and infrared wavelengths for environmental perception by day and night and under low-light conditions. Image stabilization is of crucial importance here, since EO/IR systems must be able to detect moving objects from a distance and under rough maritime conditions.

With high-quality materials and an IP 67 class shell the Mounts are made to last. The Mounts are salt- and splash-water resistant and have an extremely rugged housing. Rough maritime environments set no limits to their functionality and performance. They feature an electromechanical or hydraulic gimbal system and compensate roll and pitch up to ≤±20.0° and stabilize payloads between 15 kg and 160 kg. This makes SOMAG’s Mounts the first choice as gimbals for surveillance applications at sea. Their usage is not limited to any specific type of vessel. The stabilization platforms can also be installed on (floating) platforms. SOMAG marine Mounts are compatible with:

High-speed patrol crafts rely on SOMAG’s advanced stabilization technology to ensure precise and reliable data capture, even in challenging sea conditions. The ruggedized design of SOMAG’s Marine Gyro Stabilization Mounts keeps sensors steady during rapid maneuvers and rough waters, enabling uninterrupted surveillance, navigation, and target detection. By compensating for vessel roll and pitch, these systems deliver a stable field of view and optimized sensor performance — essential for demanding defense and security missions.

One example of this technology in action is the Milkor Commander, a 16-meter aluminum monohull patrol vessel engineered and built in the UAE as part of Milkor’s Naval Division. Designed for coastal patrol, interception, and search-and-rescue missions, the Commander integrates a sensor suite mounted on SOMAG stabilization technology. Powered by waterjet propulsion, it provides exceptional maneuverability, endurance, and operational control in dynamic maritime environments. With Sea State 5 certification and ergonomic accommodation for a 10-person crew across upper and lower decks, the Milkor Commander demonstrates how SOMAG’s marine stabilization systems support mission-ready performance, ensuring accuracy, reliability, and safety across every operation.

Our RSM 50 Marine Gyro Stabilizer Mount targets the acquisition of perfectly stabilized offshore data. The compact and lightweight design makes it suitable for deployment on USVs and small buoy. The RSM 50 is made to compansate roll and pitch motions of boats so Antenna Systems as well as LiDAR System can capture highly accurate footage and data. Adaption to a wide range of missions, including unmanned operations even on smaller buoys and ASVs/ USVs makes this rugged electromechanical gimbal acrucial feature.

Supervision, is a Dutch system integrator specializing in smart camera systems and advanced detection technologies. For a unique maritime rescue simulation on the Ijsselmeer the RSM 50 was one key component. The goal was to demonstrate the capabilities of our Gyro Stabilization Mount in a real-world scenario by stabilizing an Axis Q2101-TE positioning camera and a Q6225-LE PTZ camera on a SAR (Search and Rescue) boat used by a Dutch sea rescue organization. This configuration was designed to aid in the detection and identification of individuals in open water, ensuring maximum visibility and stability in critical situations where every second counts. The video down below visualize how the RSM 50 neutralized environmental impacts effectively, ensuring stable and clear footage. Read the full SAR mission success story here.

The NSM 500 is a robust Gyro Stabilization Mount designed for medium to large maritime vessels and land vehicles. Built for harsh environments, the IP67-rated housing protects against dust, water, and salt—making the Mount ideal for long-term use in challenging outdoor conditions. The NSM 500 delivers reliable leveling and stabilization, and can be equipped with Antenna Systems and Pan/Tilt Cameras.

To visualize how the dynamic compensation effect data acquisition we conducted a selftest. We mounted a camera on the NSM 500 precursor the NSM 400 and sailed with a yacht on the Havel river while recording a video.

Proofing the stabilization performance of our Nautical Stabilization Mount. Thats why the NSM 500 precursor NSM 400 was put to test. At the Institute of Ship Technology and Transport Systems, of the University of Duisburg-Essen a hexapod test was realized. In order to resemble the real-life challenges of seafaring more closely, motion data was used that was actually recorded from an LNG tanker fighting its way through waves of 9 m (30 ft.) and higher, which corresponds to sea state 7. Read the full report here.

SOMAG’s Gyro Stabilization Mounts can be used for civil missions as well. Ill Camaras, a Spanish company which captures pictures, shots and footage for cinemas used one of our robust mounts. Since the gyro stabilizer compansate roll and pitch motions of the boat pin-sharp images can be captured. The perfectly stabilized field of view ensures high quality video recording.

The Australian company IMC offers design, supply and system integration services for video and noncontact detection, testing and measurement systems. Thy specialise in industrial monitoring and control systems for process automation and security purposes. The company is active in a broad range of activities, including environmental projects. For recent sea trials in this area, our OSM 4000 was the gimbal of choice. The mount stabilised a thermal imaging camera installed on a catamaran and neutralised the dynamic movements of the sea. During the tests, great thermal video footage of a baby whale was obtained.