Boat CCTV Installation
Boat CCTV lets you check on the boat from home, see who has been aboard and keep an eye on the engine room or cockpit while under way. We fit marine CCTV systems with cameras built for salt air, recording that suits a 12V supply and remote viewing over the boat's internet connection.
A camera system that is fine in a house can let you down on a boat. Damp gets into connectors, mains-powered recorders need an inverter running all the time, and a system left on at the berth can quietly flatten the batteries. The installation has to be designed around those limits.
We work from Shoreham Airport and fit equipment aboard at the berth, from Brighton to Southampton.
What a boat security system can include
A simple start is one or two cameras covering the cockpit and companionway, then adding an engine room camera that can be viewed on a chartplotter screen while under way. Larger yachts may want cameras on the bow, stern and tender garage. Cameras can be paired with simple alerts so you hear about movement aboard, and recordings let you check what happened if something is disturbed.
- Weather-sealed marine or outdoor-rated cameras
- Recording to a 12V recorder or on-camera storage
- Remote viewing over marina Wi-Fi, a 4G router or Starlink
- Engine room camera on a chartplotter where supported
Power and recording on 12V
Can CCTV record without electricity? No: every camera and recorder needs power, so on a boat the question is how little power it can use. Low-draw 12V cameras and recorders avoid running an inverter around the clock. We work out the standby load, fuse the circuit properly and check that the battery bank and charging, including solar, can carry it while the boat is left.
Battery monitor installation · Marine solar panel installation
Do you need a DVR?
Not always. Some cameras record to their own memory card and upload clips when they have a connection. A recorder makes sense with several cameras, when you want continuous recording, or when footage must be kept even if a camera is damaged or taken. We help you choose the simpler option where it does the job.
Connecting the cameras
Cable runs are planned to avoid chafe and heat, deck and bulkhead entries are sealed, and cameras are positioned clear of mast lights and glare. For remote viewing, the system joins the boat's network, so internet aboard is part of the plan.
Choosing the best boat camera system
The best system for your boat depends on what you want to watch, how long the boat is left unattended and how it connects to the internet. A small day boat on a pontoon may need one camera and an alert; a cruising yacht may want several views and a recorder. Tell us how you use the boat and we will suggest a sensible layout, then give a written quote.
Frequently asked questions
Which CCTV is best for a boat?
Weather-sealed cameras with low 12V draw that suit the boat's internet connection. The right number and position depend on what you want to watch.
Can CCTV record without electricity?
No. Cameras and recorders need power, so on a boat they are chosen for low standby draw and wired to a battery bank that can support them.
Is a DVR necessary for CCTV?
Not always. Some cameras record to their own storage. A recorder helps with several cameras or continuous recording.
How do I view my boat cameras from home?
The cameras join the boat's network and connect through marina Wi-Fi, a 4G router or Starlink to an app on your phone.
Keep an eye on your boat
Send the boat details, where it is kept and what you have in mind, and we will come back with the next step and a written quote.