What Pharos Marine Automatic Power does

Pharos Marine Automatic Power (PMAPI) is a privately held designer and manufacturer of marine Aids to Navigation (AtoN) products and remote power systems, founded in 1947 and headquartered in Gray, Louisiana. The company's product portfolio spans LED marine lanterns, fog signals and detectors, radar beacons (Racons), AIS transceivers, helideck lighting systems, aviation obstruction lights, lighthouse beacons, bridge lights, and industrial-grade solar power systems. PMAPI pioneered solar-powered marine navigation in the late 1960s with installations in the Gulf of Mexico and has since deployed over 20,000 solar power systems globally. Notable proprietary technologies include a patented heat pipe thermal management system for LED arrays (lifespan exceeding 60,000 hours), the iNAV AtoN monitoring software suite, Uniflash GPS wireless synchronization, and the PHARODECK helideck TD/PM system.

Name

Pharos Marine Automatic Power

Legal name

Pharos Marine Automatic Power Inc.

Website

https://automaticpower.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1947

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Pharos Marine Automatic Power designs and manufactures marine Aids to Navigation (AtoN) products and remote power systems — including LED lanterns, AIS, helideck lighting, and solar power systems — for offshore oil & gas, ports, offshore wind, and bridge navigation customers worldwide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Marine Aids to Navigation Equipment

NAICS

Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing (334511), Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing (33451), Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing (3345)

SIC

Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, And Control (3823), Measuring & Controlling Devices, Nec (3829), Misc Industrial & Commercial Machinery & Equipment (3590)

akta.pro primary industry

Marine Lighting & Signaling Systems (Internal/External) (IMAJAJAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Electrical Engineering & Power Distribution (Generation, Switchboards, Cabling, Lighting) (IMAJAGAF), Marine Safety, Alarm & Monitoring Systems (Fire/Gas, IAS, PA/GA) (IMAJAJAG), Marine Automation, Control & PLC/SCADA Systems (IMAJAJAC)

Keywords

• Marine aids to navigation
• Helideck lighting systems
• Hazardous area equipment
• Remote solar power systems
• Lighthouse beacons

Headquarters

HQ city

Houston

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Marine Navigation Equipment Sales: Sale of marine aids to navigation products including marine lanterns, buoys, racons, fog signals, bridge lights, range lights, lighthouse beacons, helideck lighting, and aviation obstruction lights. Products sold directly to enterprise customers in offshore oil & gas, ports, and maritime infrastructure sectors.
2. Installation and Commissioning Services: Start-up, pre-commissioning and commissioning services, training in the field, service calls, and maintenance contracts. Turnkey project delivery including design, manufacturing, shipping, installation, commissioning and maintenance worldwide.
3. Remote Power Systems: Industrial grade solar power systems, battery boxes, control panels, UPS systems, and battery chargers for hazardous area applications. Customized solutions for offshore and onshore remote power requirements.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Pharos Marine Automatic Power (PMAPI) designs and manufactures marine Aids to Navigation (AtoN) products — including LED marine lanterns, fog signals, AIS transceivers, radar beacons (Racons), helideck lighting, aviation obstruction lights, bridge lights, lighthouse beacons, and industrial-grade remote solar power systems — for hazardous (ATEX/IECEx and NEC) offshore and onshore marine environments. The company also delivers turnkey project services including design, installation, commissioning, training, and maintenance worldwide, and provides proprietary AtoN monitoring software (iNAV / iNAV Pro).

Product overview

Pharos Marine Automatic Power (PMAPI) is a global leader in marine aids to navigation (AtoN) products and remote power solutions for offshore oil & gas, ports & harbours, offshore wind farms, and bridge navigation markets. The product portfolio is organized into several categories: Marine Lanterns (including Zone 1 certified, self-contained, LED, incandescent, and emergency wreck variants such as FA-249EX SS, FA-250EX 962, SC35, SC36, SC37, SC12), Aviation Lighting (helideck lighting systems like PHARODECK TD/PM, FA-80EX perimeter lights, FA-165EX status lights, FA-167EX flood lights, and aviation obstruction lights including FA-250EX322 and FLOB-249), Electronic Aids (AIS products like Atonis Pro Zone 1 and AtonisPro-R, Racons including PHALCON-EX-SS and PHALCON-XS, and radar equipment), Software Solutions (iNav AtoN Monitoring Software and iNav Pro for VDL analysis), Power Solutions (Industrial Grade Solar Power Systems, PM020 Photovoltaic Module, SPEX Zone 1 Solar PV Module, iPS1200EX UPS, TVR Series Battery Chargers, Hazardous Area Control Panels, Control Stations & Junction Boxes, Battery Boxes), Lighthouse Beacons (APRB-252 and APRB-288 Rotating Beacons, FA-250 LED variants, FA-410 LED Long Range), Bridge Lights (FA-143 LED, LED Litepipe IV, NS Series), Range Lights (FA-14), Fog Signals & Detectors (LIEX 710 series, LIEX Stainless Steel, FD-410EX fog detectors), and comprehensive turnkey project services. PMAPI pioneered solar powered aids to navigation in the late 1960s and holds extensive hazardous area certifications including ATEX, IECEx, FM, NEC Class 1 Division 2, and USCG approvals.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• PHARODECK: Touch Down and Perimeter Marking (TD/PM) system for offshore helideck lighting systems providing Zone 1 and Zone 2 certified solutions to CAA-UK CAP 437 and ICAO Annex 14 requirements

Products and services

• FA-249EX SS Marine Lantern Zone 1 rated stainless steel LED marine lantern suitable for fixed offshore structures, buoys and jetty lights with 3-10NM range, designed for hazardous area marine navigation.
• FA-250EX 962 Marine Lantern Zone 1 flameproof long-range LED marine lantern with 3-15NM range, compliant with IALA and DECC recommendations for offshore hazardous area use.
• PMAPI-SC35 Self-Contained LED Marine Lantern Weather-protected self-contained marine lantern with LED light source, optional battery or solar power, and 3-6.3NM range for buoys and fixed structures.
• FA-249 RF 14 LED Marine Lantern Rugged, compact LED marine lantern particularly suited for buoys, fixed platforms, bridges, and barges with 3-10NM range.
• PMAPI SC37 Self-Contained LED Marine Lantern with AIS Medium intensity weather-protected LED marine lantern with integrated AIS Aid to Navigation transceiver, up to 9.3NM visible range.
• PMAPI SC36 Self-Contained LED Marine Lantern with AIS Self-contained USCG-compliant marine lantern with AIS Type 1 or 3, 4x10W solar panels, and up to 6.3NM maximum visible range.
• Duplex FA-250EX 962 LED Lantern System Zone 1 rated dual 10NM and 15NM LED lighting system providing main and standby lighting for North Sea regulatory compliance.
• PHARODECK TD/PM Circle & H System Complete Touch Down and Perimeter Marking (TD/PM) helideck lighting system providing Zone 1 and Zone 2 compliant solution to CAA-UK CAP 437 and ICAO Annex 14 requirements.
• FA-80EX Helideck Perimeter Light LED-based low intensity helideck perimeter light designed for extreme environments, compliant with CAP 437 requirements.
• FA-165EX Zone 1 Helideck Status Light Zone 1 rated red flashing omnidirectional light for offshore platforms warning helicopters of hazardous conditions.
• FA-167EX Hood Flood Light LED flood light for internal illumination of windsocks and area illumination on helidecks, compliant with CAP 437 and ICAO Annex 14.
• PHALCON-EX-SS Radar Beacon (Racon) Zone 1 all-weather radar beacon providing radar range and bearing information for safe marine navigation, 24 hours a day.
• Atonis Pro Zone 1 AIS Repeater Station BSH-approved Zone 1 certified AIS AtoN station compliant with IALA A-124 and A-126, IEC 60945 and IEC 62320-2 standards.
• AtonisPro-R AIS Repeater Station Compact, ruggedized AIS AtoN with very low power consumption and small form factor for easy installation on buoys and platforms.
• iNAV AtoN Monitoring Software Aids to Navigation monitoring software that decodes any Application Specific Message without requiring software upgrades, supporting Message 6, 8, 12, 14 and 21 for Virtual and Synthetic AtoNs.
• iNAV Pro AtoN Network and VDL Analysis Software AIS network and VDL analysis software for AIS authorities to manage AIS networks with VDL loading analysis and slot usage monitoring.
• Industrial Grade Solar Power Systems Customized solar power systems for offshore oil & gas platforms, wind farms, and remote locations, compliant with NEC Class 1 Division 2 or IEC Zone 1/Zone 2 hazardous area requirements.
• iPS1200EX Zone 1 UPS Integrated Power System Explosion proof Zone 1 & 2 uninterruptible power supply for critical control and instrumentation systems in hazardous areas.
• Hazardous Area Control Panels ATEX, IECEx, EAC GOST-R and INMETRO certified enclosures for power, control and instrumentation in Zone 1 & 2 gas hazard environments.
• Control Stations & Junction Boxes Zone 1 and 2 Ex 'e' enclosures for power, control and instrumentation applications in gas and dust hazard environments.
• Battery Boxes Zone 1 and 2 explosion-proof battery boxes in 316L stainless steel and galvanized or painted steel for hazardous area applications.
• APRB-288 Marine Rotating Beacon Long range rotating beacon with up to 23+ nautical miles range, designed for remote solar installations with low maintenance requirements.
• APRB-252 Marine Rotating Beacon Medium range rotating beacon with up to 22 nautical miles range, designed for remote solar installations with highly efficient drive system.
• FA-410 LED Long Range Marine Lantern Long range LED lighthouse lantern with 20+ NM at T=0.74 (29+ NM at T=0.85) range for lighthouse applications.
• FA-143 LED Bridge Light Durable LED bridge navigation light designed for marking safe passage, channels and obstructions with minimal maintenance and 5+ NM range.
• LED Litepipe IV Extended LED light source for bridge pier markers and center channel markers, improving conspicuity over point sources in populated areas.
• FA-14 Long Range Signalling Lantern High peak intensity range light for nighttime and daytime signaling applications with 3-7NM daytime and 20-27NM nighttime range.
• LIEX 710 Fog Signal Series Compact, lightweight fog signal sound emitters available in half-mile and 2-mile range versions for marine navigation applications.
• LIEX Stainless Steel Fog Signal Zone 1 explosion-proof fog signal emitter providing 2NM audible warning on offshore structures.
• FD-410EX MINI Fog Detector Microprocessor-based visibility sensor for detecting fog particles and automatically controlling fog signals when visibility decreases.
• FA-250EX322 Hazardous Area Flashing Obstruction Light Medium intensity omnidirectional aircraft obstruction light compliant with FAA L-865 and ICAO Medium Intensity Type A.
• FLOB-249 LED Flashing L-810 Aviation Light Low intensity red LED aviation obstruction light complying with ICAO Annex 14 and FAA L-810 standards.
• WX Pro Integrated Single Station Weather Reporting System Weather reporting solution for buoys and platforms with sonic anemometer, multi-element sensors, and AIS Message 8 reporting capability.
• Octahedral Radar Reflector Radar reflector designed to enhance radar signatures of seamarks, buoys and lightfloats.
• PMAPI SC12 Self-Contained LED Marine Lantern Self-contained solar-powered lantern for short range applications with LED light source, 1-2NM range.
• Turnkey Project Services (Design, Installation, Commissioning & Maintenance) End-to-end project delivery including regulatory compliance consultation, project planning, engineering design, transportation, installation, testing, commissioning, training of operating and maintenance personnel, documentation, maintenance contracts, and hurricane response — delivered worldwide.

Quantifiable outcome

• LED design life exceeding 60,000 hours
• +2 more outcomes

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Automation And Power Solutions Trading Est (APSTE)regionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartner in Saudi Arabia - Office 405 Al-Treer Commercial Complex, Al Janubiyah Al Khobar 31952. Sales and service office serving Saudi Arabia. Contact: Mr. Syed Azharuddin, +966 13 898 7347.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Orga BV: Orga is a Dutch specialist in explosion-proof and hazardous-area marine navigation, helideck lighting and offshore power solutions. It competes head-to-head with PMAPI in Zone 1/2 ATEX-certified lanterns, helideck lighting and remote power systems for offshore oil & gas.
• Tideland Signal: Tideland Signal is a direct competitor in marine aids to navigation, manufacturing marine lanterns, fog signals, and Racons for ports, harbours and offshore platforms worldwide. Its product portfolio and target customer base closely mirror PMAPI's, and it is now part of Xylem.
• Sealite: Sealite is a leading manufacturer of marine lanterns, buoys, and AtoN equipment used in ports, harbours and offshore environments globally. It is a direct competitor to PMAPI's marine lantern, AIS and solar-powered product lines and is owned by Xylem alongside Tideland.
• Carmanah Technologies: Carmanah is a North American manufacturer of marine lanterns, AtoN equipment, and solar-powered signalling products. Its marine lighting portfolio directly overlaps PMAPI's SC-series and FA-series lanterns for buoys, docks and offshore platforms.
• Sabik Offshore: Sabik Offshore manufactures marine lanterns, range lights and AtoN products for ports, harbours and offshore applications. It was combined with Carmanah under the Nordic Lights platform and competes directly with PMAPI in marine lanterns and signalling.
• Hydrosphere UK: Hydrosphere supplies marine aids to navigation equipment including buoys, beacons and AtoN systems in the UK and Europe. It serves the same ports, harbours and coastal authority customers as PMAPI and often partners with or distributes complementary AtoN brands.
• JFC Marine: JFC Marine is an Irish manufacturer of navigation buoys, moorings and marine fendering used in ports, harbours and inland waterways. While less focused on hazardous-area lanterns, its buoy product line directly competes with PMAPI's buoy-based AtoN offerings.

Broad incumbents

• Wärtsilä: Wärtsilä is a large marine solutions provider offering ship electrical systems, navigation and automation as part of its broader portfolio. While not AtoN-specialist, it overlaps with PMAPI on marine electrical, automation and lifecycle services for vessels and offshore assets.
• ABB Marine & Ports: ABB's Marine & Ports division provides integrated electrical, automation and propulsion systems for ships and ports. It is a broad incumbent that touches PMAPI's territory in marine electrical power distribution, automation and hazardous-area switchgear, but as part of a much wider portfolio.

Regional players

• McDermott International: McDermott is a major offshore engineering, procurement and construction contractor serving oil & gas and offshore wind clients globally. It does not manufacture AtoN but is a key regional buyer of PMAPI's hazardous-area lighting, helideck and remote power products for offshore platforms and wind farm substations.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/PMAPI_AtoN
• Facebookfacebook.com/AutomaticPowerInc

Compliance46 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Pharos Marine Automatic Power