(Marine Safety Messaging)
The Northern Territory Government supports safe, accessible recreation across the Top End, including critical marine safety information for Territorians and visitors using public boat ramps throughout Greater Darwin.
The Challenge
Audiovisual Projects was engaged through NT Government Tender T22-1381 to deliver the design, supply, installation, and commissioning of three Electronic Variable Message Boards (EVMBS) at Dinah Beach, Elizabeth River, and East Arm.
Unlike a typical signage deployment, this project required a complete, bespoke solution at each location – combining site surveying, civil works, structural design, power provision, and the selection of outdoor LED technology, suited to harsh coastal conditions.
As head contractor, AV Projects carried responsibility for full coordination across a broad delivery team, including electrical works, structural engineering, excavation and concrete, underground directional boring, steel fabrication, crane operations, traffic management, and temporary fencing – all while maintaining safe access and workable staging across active public environments.
Key requirements included:
Minimum P8 LED, 3m x 3m display area, fit-for-purpose outdoors, with a minimum 3-year warranty
A corrosion-resistant, hot-dip galvanised support structure designed for local wind loading
Site-specific footings across three different ground conditions and exposure profiles
Vandal protection appropriate for remote / low-traffic locations
Connection to nearby existing mains power
Remote content management, with content updated offsite by authorised stakeholders
What AV Projects did
An outdoor LED signage solution was delivered, engineered for coastal exposure, maintainability, and long-term operability. Day-to-day content publishing was kept simple for end users.
For the displays, a custom-manufactured Vuepix Infiled MV series 7.81mm pixel pitch LED screen was selected, supplied through ULA. Given the combination of wind, salt exposure, and high humidity, additional conformal coating and connector protection were specified across critical electronics to better suit the environment.
To support the screens, a purpose-built, corrosion-resistant structure was designed to allow secure mounting while keeping installation and future servicing practical. Rear access and removable aluminium protection panels were incorporated to provide straightforward entry for maintenance and repairs, without requiring the structure to be dismantled.
Vandal protection was addressed with a single-piece 9mm clear UV-stabilised polycarbonate shield, designed to minimise reflections while providing robust impact resistance. Front-mounted extruded aluminium channels were engineered and precisely spaced to allow thermal expansion. A hoist-assisted handling method was also implemented so the panel can be installed or removed by two personnel in only a few minutes, when required.
Civil works and structural engineering were tailored for each site to ensure footing design and wind-loading requirements were met. Directional boring was required at two locations to deliver underground power. At Elizabeth River, additional engineering detail was required due to ground conditions near the water’s edge, including submerged anchors within the footing and improved drainage to prevent stormwater pooling at the slab front.
The Results
All three boat ramp EVMBS sites were successfully commissioned in October 2023.
Durable, high-visibility safety messaging was delivered for recreational boaters and fishers across Greater Darwin.
Marine safety information, weather conditions, hazards, and general water safety awareness are now displayed on the screens. Content is published remotely by the relevant NT Government team via a web-based platform, using built-in 4G connectivity for reliable offsite updates.
To support operability checks without unnecessary site visits, solar-powered monitoring cameras were installed on existing lighting poles. These cameras are used solely to confirm content visibility and screen operation, providing confidence that the system is performing as expected in real-world conditions.
