Description
Lillie and Gillie Walker 2050 Mk2 Wind Speed and Direction System – System Overview & Engineering Architecture
The Lillie and Gillie Walker 2050 Mk2 Wind Speed and Direction System is a marine-grade weather monitoring instrument designed to deliver accurate, real-time measurement of apparent and true wind speed and direction at the navigation bridge level. Manufactured as the second-generation evolution of the established Walker 2050 platform, the Mk2 variant retains the proven sensing principles of its predecessor while incorporating refinements intended to improve long-term stability, mechanical robustness, and signal integrity in continuous shipboard service.
The system is intended to be installed as part of a vessel’s bridge meteorological suite. It provides wind data to multiple downstream bridge subsystems — including the bridge navigation display, the voyage data recorder (VDR), the integrated navigation system (INS), the electronic chart display and information system (ECDIS), and the autopilot where wind feed-forward is supported. By providing a continuous and reliable wind reference, the Walker 2050 Mk2 assists the Officer of the Watch (OOW) in maintaining safe course and speed, particularly during berthing, unberthing, pilotage, and dynamic positioning-adjacent operations where accurate environmental data is critical to decision-making.
For owners and operators building or retrofitting bridge electronics around common marine wind speed & direction sensor standards, the Walker 2050 Mk2 is typically reviewed alongside complementary bridge instrumentation such as Marinelite Marine Anemometer MI-9000S Stainless Steel Type and the Marinelite Mi9000P Marine Wind Speed Anemometer, as well as bridge upgrade services such as Bridge System Upgrade Dubai | Vessel Retrofit Solutions UAE | Seanav Marine and Vessel Retrofit Solutions Dubai UAE | Bridge Electronics Upgrade.
Core Features & Operational Advantages
- True and Apparent Wind Calculation – The system processes raw anemometer head data together with vessel heading and speed-over-ground (SOG) to derive true wind speed and direction at the bridge reference point.
- Marine-Grade Sensor Construction – Sensor housings and external fittings are intended for prolonged exposure to salt-laden air, UV, and the vibration environment typical of ocean-going commercial tonnage.
- Bridge-Ready Signal Output – The system is designed to interface with bridge NMEA-style data consumers, allowing feed to navigation displays and VDR logging channels.
- Continuous Operation – The Mk2 design intent supports continuous 24-hour operation in the demanding weather of the Arabian Gulf, the Gulf of Oman, and extended ocean passages via hub ports such as Jebel Ali, Port Rashid, Khalifa Port, Port of Fujairah, and Khor Fakkan.
- Service-Friendly Architecture – The Mk2 system is engineered to permit onboard inspection and component-level maintenance during routine dry-dock and port-stay windows.
Component Breakdown
The Walker 2050 Mk2 system is delivered as an integrated weather monitoring package, comprising the externally mounted anemometer head assembly, interconnecting cabling, and the below-decks processing / display unit intended for installation in the bridge console. The external head assembly is the primary measurement transducer, while the below-decks unit handles signal conditioning, conversion, and bridge data distribution.
For vessels that require periodic sensor verification, Seanav Marine provides dedicated Anemometer Calibration Service in Mumbai | JNPT Nhava Sheva Marine Wind Sensor Calibration by Seanav Marine and onboard support pathways such as Marine Wind speed & direction sensors Repair service in JNPA and Marine Anemometer Repair Service in JNPA.
SOLAS, IMO, IEC & Classification Society Compliance
Wind speed and direction measurement equipment fitted to SOLAS-regulated vessels is typically required to support the bridge watchkeeping function under SOLAS Chapter V (Safety of Navigation), particularly Regulation 19 (Carriage requirements for shipborne navigational systems) as it relates to the availability of navigational and meteorological data to the master and OOW. The Walker 2050 Mk2 is intended to support this function by providing a continuous bridge-level wind reference.
Owners and operators serving UAE and wider Middle East trades — calling Federal Transport Authority (FTA)-regulated terminals and operating under DNV, ABS, and Lloyd’s Register class rules — typically procure such sensors as part of a bridge meteorological suite that is reviewed against the vessel’s class-approved navigation equipment schedule. Supporting services such as Radio Survey Services in UAE | SOLAS & GMDSS Compliance | Seanav Marine and Radio Survey Services in UAE | SOLAS & GMDSS Compliance | Seanav Marine are commonly scheduled alongside weather sensor inspection during port-stay surveys.
Onboard Maintenance & Inspection Standards
To preserve measurement accuracy and class status, owners are advised to follow a documented onboard inspection routine for the Walker 2050 Mk2 anemometer head and signal path. Recommended maintenance practices include periodic visual inspection of the sensor head for mechanical damage or fouling, verification of cable runs and gland integrity, checking of connector pins for corrosion, and functional verification against a reference reading during annual or special survey windows. Sensor calibration traceability — particularly where the unit is used for pilotage, dynamic positioning, or environmental logging purposes — should be retained in the vessel’s Planned Maintenance System (PMS).
Seanav Marine supports shipowners and operators with complete Marine Safety LSA & FFA and bridge electronics service programs, as well as the wider Navcom Services in UAE | Advanced Marine Navigation & Bridge Electronics Support portfolio.
Technical Support & Port Delivery
Seanav Marine supplies the Lillie and Gillie Walker 2050 Mk2 Wind Speed and Direction System to owners, operators, and shipyards requiring OEM-referenced bridge weather monitoring equipment. Technical queries, class-approved configuration advice, and port delivery scheduling for UAE hub ports (Jebel Ali, Port Rashid, Khalifa Port, Port of Fujairah, Khor Fakkan) and Indian subcontinent ports are handled by the Seanav Marine technical desk. [Contact Seanav Marine Technical Team] for datasheet confirmation, delivery lead times, and class documentation review.
External Reference: Official OEM Product Reference Page
Technical Specifications
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Product Model | Walker 2050 Mk2 |
| Manufacturer | Lillie and Gillie (JLG Marine) |
| System Type | Marine Wind Speed and Direction System |
| Application | Bridge weather monitoring for commercial vessels |
| Measured Parameters | Wind speed and wind direction |
| Derived Output | True and apparent wind data at bridge reference point |
| Operating Environment | Marine / offshore bridge meteorological service |
| Bridge Integration | Interfaces with bridge displays, VDR, INS, ECDIS, and autopilot where wind feed-forward is supported |
| Sensor Installation | External anemometer head assembly, mast / foremast mounted |
| Below-Decks Unit | Bridge console processing / display unit |
| Regulatory Framework | Supports SOLAS Chapter V carriage of navigational and meteorological data |
| Classification Society Review | Typically reviewed under vessel navigation equipment schedule (DNV / ABS / Lloyd’s Register) |
| Intended Trading Area | Global; supported through UAE hub ports and Indian subcontinent ports |
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. What does the Lillie and Gillie Walker 2050 Mk2 measure?
The Walker 2050 Mk2 measures wind speed and wind direction and is designed to deliver true and apparent wind data to the vessel’s bridge consoles and downstream navigation subsystems.
Q2. Is the Walker 2050 Mk2 suitable for continuous bridge watch service?
Yes. The Mk2 system is designed for continuous 24-hour operation in the marine bridge meteorological role, supporting the master and Officer of the Watch with real-time wind information.
Q3. Which vessel types typically fit the Walker 2050 Mk2?
The system is typically specified for commercial vessels such as tankers, bulk carriers, container ships, offshore support vessels, and other SOLAS-regulated tonnage requiring bridge-level weather monitoring.
Q4. How does the Walker 2050 Mk2 integrate with existing bridge electronics?
The Mk2 unit is intended to interface with bridge NMEA-style data consumers, allowing its output to be distributed to displays, the voyage data recorder (VDR), integrated navigation systems (INS), ECDIS, and autopilot units where wind feed-forward is supported.
Q5. What SOLAS / classification considerations apply to the Walker 2050 Mk2?
The unit is reviewed in the context of SOLAS Chapter V Regulation 19 carriage requirements for shipborne navigational systems, and is typically scheduled against the vessel’s class-approved navigation equipment list with societies such as DNV, ABS, and Lloyd’s Register.
Q6. What onboard maintenance is recommended for the Walker 2050 Mk2?
Owners are advised to implement a Planned Maintenance System (PMS) routine covering periodic sensor head cleaning, cable and gland inspection, connector integrity checks, and functional verification against a reference reading during annual or special survey windows.
Q7. Is periodic anemometer calibration supported?
Yes. Seanav Marine provides dedicated anemometer calibration and wind sensor repair services, including verification routines to support traceable calibration records for class and operator audits.
Q8. Can the Walker 2050 Mk2 be supplied with class documentation and port logistics to the UAE?
Yes. Seanav Marine coordinates port delivery to UAE hub ports (Jebel Ali, Port Rashid, Khalifa Port, Port of Fujairah, Khor Fakkan) and supports documentation review against the vessel’s class-approved navigation equipment schedule.
Q9. Where can the official OEM product reference be reviewed?
The official OEM product reference page is published by the manufacturer and is available at the Official OEM Product Reference Page.
Q10. How can I obtain a quotation or technical datasheet for the Walker 2050 Mk2?
Please submit your vessel particulars, class society, and delivery port via the Seanav Marine technical desk at the Seanav Marine Contact Page. Inquiries are handled by email at info@seanav.org.
