Overview and Requirements

ECS was appointed by the National Oceanography Centre to enhance security at the main pedestrian entrance to RRS Discovery, one of the UK’s most recognised scientific research vessels.
The requirement was for a simple but effective access control solution that would secure the vessel’s primary access point, provide an accurate record of personnel movements and enable visitors to easily contact onboard staff when access was required.

Key Considerations

Although relatively small in scale, the project presented several unique challenges.

As a working research vessel, RRS Discovery operates to a strict schedule and spends much of its time at sea. The installation therefore had to be carefully planned around a scheduled docking period in Southampton, ensuring all works could be completed before the vessel departed.

The location of the gate also added complexity. As the sole access route onto the vessel, it remained in constant use throughout the day by crew members, contractors and visitors. ECS engineers adjusted their working programme and began work early each morning to minimise disruption while maintaining safe access to the vessel.

Solution

ECS designed and installed a SALTO access control system at the vessel’s main entrance gate.

The solution incorporated read-in/read-out functionality, allowing authorised users to securely enter and exit while maintaining a complete audit trail of movements. To support day-to-day operations, the system was configured to provide roll-call capabilities and user management features, giving the client greater visibility and control over access permissions.

Alongside the access control system, ECS installed a paging-based visitor call solution. This enables visitors arriving at the gate to alert personnel onboard, allowing access requests to be managed quickly and efficiently without compromising security.

Delivery

Working within a limited docking window, ECS coordinated closely with the National Oceanography Centre to ensure the installation was completed on schedule.

Despite the challenges associated with working on an active vessel and around a busy access point, the project was delivered efficiently and with minimal disruption to operations. Following installation, the system was fully tested, commissioned and handed over to the client, with training provided to support ongoing management of the system.

Outcome

The completed solution provides secure and controlled access to RRS Discovery while improving the management of visitors arriving at the vessel.
By combining access control and visitor notification into a single, easy-to-manage system, ECS delivered a practical solution tailored to the operational requirements of a unique maritime environment.

The project highlights ECS’s ability to deliver reliable security solutions in specialist settings, adapting to challenging installation conditions while maintaining the highest standards.

Website designed by Garda

© ECS Systems 2026

 | 

 | 

 | 

 | 

© ECS Systems 2026