Frequently Asked Questions

How is the unit installed on my boat?

Will the Installation Engineer visit my mooring?

How large is the unit and will it affect any other system on my boat?

Will this T8 system drain the power on my boat?

Can the T8 system be installed in any type of boat?

How many Security Tags can I have?

Will an alarm sound on the boat in case of theft?

What if I want my family or friends to have access to the boat?

What exactly happens if my boat is stolen?

What happens if I accidently set off an alarm?

Can the alarm be set off by bad weather?

Is the system waterproof?

What if I drop a Security Tag in the river?

If I install a T8 Marine system, do I still need to consider other security options?

Can my boat be moved within the marina without raising an alarm?

Can I transport my boat on a trailer without raising an alarm?

What if I sell my boat?

Where can I travel with this system?

What are the main components of the T8 system?

Who are Thatcham?

Q - How is the unit installed on my boat?

A - The unit is a sealed ‘black-box’ which is installed by a registered security systems engineer. The unit is carefully located so that it cannot be tampered with and cannot be disconnected without specialist knowledge.
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Q - Will the Installation Engineer visit my mooring?

A - Yes – the Engineer will arrange the install at a time and place that is convenient for you. The only thing we ask is that the boat is moored safely and that the Engineer has easy access to it.
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Q - How large is the unit and will it affect any other system on my boat?

A - The T8 device was initially designed for installation on motor-bikes so it is one of the smallest security systems on the market today. The unit needs to be connected to a standard power source of 12-24 Volts but it only needs a tiny power input to provide the periodic updates. The unit has also been designed to work in some of the most hostile motoring environments and is both water and dust resistant. The unit’s installation will be independent of all other on-board systems so there will no impact on any of these.
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Q - Will this T8 system drain the power on my boat?

A - Marine equipment is often left unattended for long periods of time so the T8 Marine product has the lowest battery drain on the market. The unit is programmed to check in with the SOC at pre-defined intervals to ensure that battery power is maintained and that all is well. We can then alert you to any low power levels, leaving plenty of time to address the problem.
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Q - Can the T8 system be installed in any type of boat?

A - Yes – the unit is compact and powerful enough to be installed in all sizes of boat and simply requires connection to a standard power source.
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Q - How many Security Tags can I have?

A - The ‘basic’ system incorporates two Security Tags which can be assigned to anybody you choose. If you need more tags, these are available for a small fee.
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Q - Will an alarm sound on the boat in case of theft?

A - The system is designed to offer covert protection so no alarm is sounded in case of theft. The thieves will not realise that they are being monitored and that the authorities are aware of their exact location.
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Q - What if I want my family or friends to have access to the boat?

A -Simply make sure they have one of the Security Tags for use whilst they are on board. When a Tag is present, the alarm will not go off so they can enjoy a trouble free journey and can benefit from the tracking system if they choose to leave the vessel.
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Q - What exactly happens if my boat is stolen?

A - An automatic alarm will be sent to the SOC if the boat goes beyond its permitted area (the geo-fence). The SOC service is configured to your specification to alert a number of possible authorities, including harbour masters, coastguards, police and, of course, you. The SOC tracks and locates your asset, helping the authorities to affect a swift recovery.
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Q - What happens if I accidently set off an alarm?

A - ‘False alarms’ are an unwanted but accepted element with these systems. Experience has shown that most people will only make this mistake once or twice before they routinely carry their Tags. If an alarm is raised, the SOC will liaise with you to see if it is real. If not, no further action will be taken. However the SOC will monitor the number of false alarms and may look to raise additional service charges if this becomes an ongoing problem.
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Q - Can the alarm be set off by bad weather?

A - The alarm is activated only if the boat moves beyond its defined area (geo-fence). Therefore it can only be set off by extreme weather if the boat breaks its moorings and moves to another location. In this situation, you will be able to track it and recover it quickly.
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Q - Is the system waterproof?

A - The system has been developed to meet the marine waterproofing standards of IPX6 from the International Electrotechnical Commission. It’s therefore guaranteed to remain operational even after having been submerged underwater. Owners of cruisers, yachts, powerboats and jet skis can now take advantage of the T8 Marine technology to protect their assets against theft and misuse. Further details can be found at www.axis.com/products/cam_housing/ip66.htm.
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Q - What if I drop a Security Tag in the river?

A - The Security Tags have been tested to the same IPX6 standards so if you accidently immerse one in water, this will not affect the operation of the Tag.
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Q - If I install a T8 Marine system, do I still need to consider other security options?

A - The T8 system has been designed to offer stolen boat tracking capabilities and is designed to complement rather than replace other security features such as locks or intruder alarms.
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Q - Can my boat be moved within the marina without raising an alarm?

A - When you install the T8 system, there is a default geo-fenced area of 100 metres from a defined point. If you want to allow the marina staff to move your boat for maintenance or cleaning, you can define a larger area to cover the entire marina. Your boat can then be moved without triggering a false alarm.
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Q - Can I transport my boat on a trailer without raising an alarm?

A - To complete this, you simply need to carry one of the Security Tags in the vehicle which is moving the boat. This will effectively disarm the system and will allow unrestricted movement. .
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Q - What if I sell my boat?

A - If you sell your boat with the system installed, this should increase the value to the new owner. To receive ongoing support, the new owner simply needs to sign a new Service Agreement. If you plan to buy another boat, we can provide you with a new unit and Tags at a preferential customer rate and you can simply extend your existing Service Agreement
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Q - Where can I travel with this system?

A - As described elsewhere, a key component of the solution is the Secure Operating Centre. T8 have partnered with Group 4 Security (G4S) which is one of the largest security companies in Europe and they have active response centres across the Continent. Your system will therefore work for you in all of these countries and you will be supported by the local emergency services in case of any problems. For the latest geographical coverage, please refer to www.t8com.com/coverage.html.
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Q - What are the main components of the T8 system?

A - There are 4 inclusive and essential elements in the T8 Marine solution:

 

1. Hardware - the unit and Security Tags form the active part of the system.

2. Installation – is handled by a professional installation engineer.

3. Support - the SOC provides ongoing support whilst you own your boat.

4. Upgrades – T8 are continually developing additional capabilities and will deliver these automatically to your unit as part of the ongoing Support Agreement. These updates will require no involvement from you or your family.
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Q - Who are Thatcham?

A - Thatcham was established in 1969 by the UK insurance industry and is independently funded and operated by insurer members. They have defined a number of categories for all vehicle security devices (from alarms and immobilisers through to after theft tracking systems). In each category, third party security products are evaluated against “The British Insurance Industry’s Criteria for Vehicle Security”, using specific tests to indicate the effectiveness of the product.
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