Overview
Monitoring operations in hazardous offshore environments comes with significant challenges. Video surveillance equipment must endure extreme conditions, comply with strict safety regulations, and maintain reliable performance at all times. When an offshore seadrilling company wanted to improve their situational awareness and operational oversight on one of their drilling rigs, they turned to 2M Technology to develop a custom Cisco Meraki explosion-proof camera housing that addressed both safety and technological requirements.
The Challenge
The seadrilling company needed dependable video coverage to monitor their offshore rig and daily drilling operations. Cameras were required to capture clear, consistent footage of the surrounding areas to support operational oversight, safety monitoring, and incident review. Because the rig operated in a classified hazardous environment with flammable gases and other materials, all surveillance equipment had to be fully explosion-proof.
Although purchasing a new explosion-proof camera was an option, the client specifically wanted to use the Cisco Meraki MV53X camera in order to remain within the Cisco Meraki cloud-based ecosystem they already trusted and relied on. Maintaining a standardized Meraki environment allowed the client to preserve consistency across their surveillance and IT infrastructure while avoiding the added complexity, cost, and training requirements associated with deploying a separate video management platform.
Cisco Meraki Cloud-Based VMS Features
Cisco Meraki’s cloud-based video management software (VMS) provided many advantages that closely aligned with the client’s operational, security, and scalability needs, including:
- Centralized, cloud-based access to live and recorded video from anywhere
- Simplified camera configuration, monitoring, and maintenance without on-premises servers or NVRs
- Scalable deployment across multiple sites and rigs
- Seamless integration with existing IT infrastructure, other Meraki products, and future expansions
- The ability to quickly download video clips or share links during critical incidents
Cisco Meraki MV53X Camera Technical Specifications
Key technical features of the Cisco Meraki MV53X camera were essential to addressing the client’s operational, environmental, and safety needs:
- Camera Type: Telephoto bullet camera
- Resolution: 4K (8.4MP)
- Lens: Varifocal
- Focal Length: 12.5–38 mm
- Field of View (FoV): 12–37° (horizontal)
- Optical Zoom: 3X
- IR Range: 50m (164ft)
- Vandal Resistance: IK10+
- Weather-Proofing: IP67
- On-Device Storage: 1TB
- Built-In Analytics: Search by attribute, intelligent object detection, advanced people and vehicle motion sensing
The challenge was that the MV53X camera had no explosion-proof version, and no ready-made enclosures could meet offshore safety standards while securely accommodating the device. 2M Technology was tasked with developing a custom Cisco Meraki explosion-proof camera housing that would allow the client to use their preferred MV53X camera without compromising safety, reliability, or performance.
Why 2M Technology
The seadrilling company chose 2M Technology for this project based on our proven expertise in designing custom explosion-proof housings for hazardous environments. With extensive experience navigating strict offshore and industrial safety regulations, our team clearly understood the compliance requirements the housing needed to meet.
Equally important, our track record of delivering custom enclosures for various cameras gave the client the confidence that we could develop a solution that accommodated their Cisco Meraki MV53X while maintaining optimal performance. By providing a custom Cisco Meraki explosion-proof camera housing, 2M Technology helped the client improve operational visibility, continue using their Cisco Meraki ecosystem, and stay fully compliant with safety standards.
The Solution
2M Technology designed and manufactured a custom Cisco Meraki explosion-proof camera housing specifically for the MV53X camera in an offshore hazardous location.
A critical component of the design was a custom internal mounting plate, precisely developed to match the exact dimensions of the camera and its base. This mounting plate ensured:
- Secure placement of the camera inside the housing
- Proper alignment for optimal field of view
- Stability against vibration and movement common on drilling rigs
- Protection of the camera’s internal components
By customizing the internal structure of the housing rather than forcing a generic fit, 2M Technology ensured the camera was fully protected from environmental and operational hazards while letting the client take full advantage of its advanced monitoring features and cloud-based VMS. This custom Cisco Meraki explosion-proof camera housing not only met strict safety and operational standards but also delivered long-term reliability. As a result, the client was able to deploy their chosen Cisco Meraki MV53X camera without sacrificing safety or operational efficiency.
The Result
The final solution allowed the client to deploy their Cisco Meraki MV53X camera and management platform safely in a highly regulated offshore environment.
Key outcomes included:
- Safe, explosion-proof video monitoring of offshore drilling operations
- Full access to Cisco Meraki’s cloud-based VMS for remote monitoring and management
- Improved situational awareness across the rig
- A secure, vibration-resistant camera installation designed for offshore conditions
- A repeatable solution that can be scaled and deployed across additional rigs
With the custom Cisco Meraki explosion-proof camera housing, the client was able to maintain a consistent, cloud-managed surveillance infrastructure while fully complying with strict offshore safety requirements.
Design Your Custom Explosion-Proof Camera Solution Today
If your operations require reliable video monitoring in hazardous environments, 2M Technology can design a custom Cisco Meraki explosion-proof camera housing tailored to your exact needs. Our team combines expertise in industrial safety standards with advanced cloud-based surveillance solutions to deliver secure, dependable monitoring for offshore rigs and other high-risk locations. Contact 2M Technology today to learn how we can help protect your equipment and improve operational visibility without compromising performance or compliance.
