7 common mistakes when installing cameras at seaports

NGÀY ĐĂNG 18/09/2025

Admin

Installing cameras outside the seaport seems simple, but the following 7 common mistakes can cause the security system to be "ineffective" after a few months of use.

Mistake 1: Choosing a camera that is not resistant to salt water corrosion

In seaport areas, coastal areas or industrial zones near the sea, the environment is often affected by salt vapor, high humidity and strong sea winds. If using conventional surveillance cameras - not designed to withstand corrosive conditions - after a short time, the outer shell will begin to deteriorate, screws will rust, the glass will become opaque, and the electronic components inside will be easily damaged.

This is a serious but quite common selection error in the actual construction of surveillance systems in coastal locations. Not only does it affect image quality and monitoring capabilities, but it also leads to frequent maintenance and equipment replacement costs, causing a waste of budget.

Solution:

Use cameras with NEMA 4X, IP66/IP67 corrosion-resistant housings or special materials such as stainless steel, salt-resistant coated alloys, and a tight design to provide maximum camera protection in harsh coastal climates.

Error 2: Wrong installation location - susceptible to direct environmental impact

One of the common errors when deploying camera systems at seaports or coastal areas is installing the equipment in an uncovered location, exposed directly to strong winds, heavy rain, UV rays and salt vapor from the sea. This causes the camera to deteriorate quickly, especially the outer shell, base and joints. In addition, rainwater can seep inside, causing short circuits, reducing lifespan or causing signal loss.

Incorrect installation also affects the viewing angle, obstructed vision, or is susceptible to shaking in strong winds - especially if mounted on a high-voltage pole, ship's railing or an open area without any obstructions.

Solution:

Before installation, carefully survey the terrain, wind direction and rain direction. Prioritize installation in a covered, high location but still ensure a wide viewing angle, or use a weatherproof housing and sturdy mount designed for coastal environments. You should choose a camera that is vibration-resistant and meets IK10, IP66/IP67, NEMA 4X standards.

Error 3: Using non-rust-resistant bases and screws

If you use screws, brackets, and bases that are not treated with rust-proofing, after a short time, the device will begin to rust, corrode, and even loosen the camera's mounting structure. This not only affects the safety and stability of operation, but can also cause damage to the monitoring system due to vibration, angle deviation or falling equipment.

Saving costs by choosing cheap installation accessories may seem reasonable, but it has high potential risks in the long run - especially in harsh environments such as seaports, coastal factories or outdoor radar stations.

Error 5: Not integrating AI to filter false alarms

In seaport areas, cargo transportation and unloading activities take place continuously - with many movements from people, forklifts, ships, waves, and even seabirds. If using conventional cameras, the system will easily give false alarms continuously, causing annoyance and distraction for the security department.

Not integrating AI technology to accurately identify objects (people, vehicles, suspicious movements) makes it impossible for the camera to distinguish between normal movements and abnormal behaviors such as illegal intrusions and break-ins.

Solution:

Choosing an AI-integrated camera helps:

• Identify and classify objects (people, vehicles, objects)
• Filter out false alarms due to the environment
• Detect intrusions more accurately
• Reduce pressure on monitoring center operators

In particular, i-PRO camera lines with integrated AI not only analyze live images but also support improved monitoring efficiency in all environmental conditions - from day to night, from storms to coastal fog.

Error 6: Lack of regular maintenance for outdoor cameras

Cameras installed in seaport areas are often exposed to strong winds, heavy rain, salt vapor and dirt. Without regular maintenance, the camera will quickly deteriorate - causing a series of problems such as blurred lenses, water stagnant in the camera body, oxidized signal cables, or more seriously, damage to the entire system.

Many units only install but ignore the periodic maintenance step, leading to:

• Blurred, discolored, and noisy surveillance images
• Increased risk of data loss, loss of images at important times
• Unnecessary equipment replacement costs

Solution:

• Schedule maintenance every quarter or every 6 months, especially after the rainy season
• Clean the lens, check for water resistance, re-check the housing and joints
• Check for corrosion of screws, cables, and junction boxes
• Use cameras with easy-to-maintain designs, with salt and dirt-resistant coatings

Error 7: No backup recording or weak storage system

In seaport areas - where logistics activities, cargo loading and unloading are constantly taking place and many security situations arise - loss of surveillance data can lead to serious damage. However, many camera systems do not have a backup recording solution or use low-quality storage devices that are susceptible to damage in the event of power or weather problems.

Signs of recognition:

• Camera only records locally (local SD card), not synchronized with recorder/NVR
• Storage system does not have RAID or automatic backup feature
• Does not check hard drive capacity and operation periodically

Possible consequences:

• Loss of all data when camera or hard drive has problems
• No evidence in case of dispute, lost goods, unauthorized access
• Causes disruption of security operations, slows down the process of handling incidents

Solution:

• Use NVR supporting RAID, dual storage or cloud backup connection
• Install camera supporting dual recording (Edge recording + NVR)
• Periodically check and replace hard drive, set up warning when storage drive is full or error
• Prefer using dedicated hard drive for surveillance (Surveillance HDD).

Refer to article: Signs of camera corrosion and solutions

Suggested i-PRO (Panasonic) camera series suitable for seaport environments

The camera is resistant to salt water corrosion, the outer shell meets NEMA 4X standards, is coated with anti-corrosion, is sealed, and is resistant to salt and high humidity.

• WV-S15500-V3LK
• WV-S15700-V2L

Flexible PTZ camera, wide angle, suitable for mounting high poles, radar towers, integrated with a long-range zoom lens to monitor large areas while still being placed in a safe position.

• WV-S66600-Z3LN

The camera comes with a stand, screws, and a specialized anti-rust bracket, providing long-term outdoor support.

• WV-S15501-Z1L

The camera meets IP66/IP67 standards, is completely dustproof, can withstand heavy rain, strong water spray, and has a water shield for clear images when it rains.

• WV-S2536LNA
• WV-S25500-V3L

Camera integrates AI to analyze motion, identify people and vehicles to help reduce false alarms caused by waves, wind, insects, and light.

• WV-S1536LA
• WV-S4576LA
• WV-S2136LA

Camera has the ability to self-diagnose errors, with monitoring health check, early abnormal error reporting and dust-tight design, less dirt, reducing maintenance frequency.

• WV-S15700-V2L

Camera supports dual recording & high-end NVR:

• WV-S25500-V3L, WV-S15500-V3LN camera supports SD card + NVR in parallel
• Combined with NVR i-PRO WJ-NX400 / WJ-NX310KG, supports RAID, backup, failover

Official i-PRO camera distributor in Vietnam

With more than 15 years of experience in distributing security solutions, surveillance and low voltage systems, KPS is proud to be an i-PRO (Panasonic) distributor. When choosing KPS, you will not only receive genuine products, but also enjoy in-depth technical support services, comprehensive solution consulting, as well as clear and transparent after-sales policies.

KPS is committed to accompanying construction units, contractors and investors throughout the project life cycle - from consulting, equipment demo, technical support to warranty and maintenance after installation. We understand that, for projects with high requirements for durability, stability and long-term operation such as at seaports, factories, industrial parks, choosing the right equipment and the right partner is the deciding factor.