Abstract:
The ballast system is a crucial subsystem on ships, functioning to maintain stability and
balance through water distribution in ballast tanks. However, manual monitoring via
sounding pipes has limitations in providing continuous and real-time tank condition
information, potentially leading to delays in operational decision-making. This study aims
to design and build an integrated ballast monitoring and control prototype based on
Internet of Things (IoT), as well as to evaluate its technical performance including
communication latency, safety logic reliability, and user acceptance. This research
employs the Research and Development (R&D) method with a Prototyping Model
approach. The system was developed using ESP32 microcontroller, HY-SRF05 ultrasonic
sensors, actuators consisting of a pump and six solenoid valves, and a web dashboard
interface based on Google Firebase Realtime Database. Testing was conducted through
ballast operational simulations (filling, discharging, and water transfer) as well as error
scenarios to validate Smart Interlock logic. Evaluation involved 2 expert validators and
20 respondent students/crew members using a Likert-scale questionnaire. The results
showed that the prototype was successfully built and functioned according to
specifications. Latency testing indicated response times consistently below 1 second. The
Smart Interlock system proved 100% effective in preventing dry-run, overfill, and
deadhead conditions, and was able to switch to local mode when internet connection was
lost (fail-safe). User validation results showed a feasibility level of 93.7% with the
category "Highly Appropriate". This prototype is feasible for use as a learning medium
and as an initial model for digitalizing ship ballast monitoring systems.
