Offshore Network

KVH Ships Three-Thousandth TrackPhone Terminal

KVH Industries passes the 3,000th mark with shipments of its TracPhone® terminal for the mini-VSAT Broadband network. Launched in 2007, KVH's maritime broadband service was the first to use spread spectrum technology that enabled small, easy-to-install onboard terminals to receive fast, affordable VSAT quality data connections offshore. KVH grew its service to become the world's largest maritime VSAT network through a geographic coverage rollout that is now complete and covers all the world's oceans. "We built the mini-VSAT Broadband network because we saw a huge opportunity from a potential market of 250,000 commercial, government, and leisure vessels that needed affordable offshore data connections that would allow crew members to use the Internet onboard and benefit from the efficiencies of the digital world," said Martin Kits van Heyningen, KVH's Chief Executive Officer. "Our global network is now complete, and our TracPhone product line offers a complete end-to-end solution to quickly and easily bring the benefits of fast, affordable VSAT service to vessels." The mini-VSAT Broadband network is unique in that it is the only complete, end-to-end solution for offshore connectivity. KVH designs and manufactures the onboard TracPhone terminals and antennas, owns the Earth station equipment, leases the satellite capacity, manages the network, and provides 24/7/365 after-sale support

Hughes Provides Broadband to Hercules Offshore Fleet

Hercules Offshore has invested in a satellite communications system from Hughes Network Systems, LLC. Hughes and Environmental Safety Systems International Corporation (ESSI) are equipping the entire Hercules Offshore fleet of Class 120 to Class 230 liftboats in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico, with Hughes satellite-based broadband maritime services. These liftboats, commonly referred to as the workhorse of the offshore industry, are reliable, versatile, and self-contained

ENSCO Will Use New Communications System

ENSCO International Incorporated announced that they will install a new communications system onboard all of its Gulf of Mexico jackup rigs. The company will provide VSAT, telephone, fax, broadband internet, data and email services, all through a secure onshore hub facility. C. Christopher Gaut, ENSCO Senior Vice President, commented on the new service, ``We believe this enhanced system will enable us to better meet the communication needs of our customers and other service providers on our

Wrist Ship Supply Acquires Strachans

Global offshore market new target for supplies as Wrist continues rapid expansion Wrist Ship Supply, one of the world’s largest ship supply companies, today announced the acquisition of Strachans Ltd, the UK’s leading independent food distributor to the offshore catering market. This represents Wrist’s sixth deal in less than two years following acquisitions in Europe, America and Canada. The agreement combines Strachans’ specialist offshore market knowledge with

Communication via Mobile Devices – Advice for Boaters

Global Marine Networks Inc. explain to blue-water boat owners how to stay in touch using the latest mobile communication devices How to stay in touch with family, friends and information through radio, satellite voice, email and Internet services while at sea with laptops and smartphones is the subject of the GMN offering. Blue water cruisers, and other boaters have more choices than ever when it comes to staying in touch while at sea, but some choices are better than others

Broadpoint Debuts Rate Plans, GOM

Broadpoint, a full-service telecommunications and network solutions company, announced that it will offer individual rate plans to offshore and marine employees in the Gulf of Mexico for the first time. Workers can now tap Broadpoint’s 100,000 square mile cellular network for voice, SMS and data service, keeping them connected while away from home for significantly lower service costs than with traditional mobile carriers.

CapRock Wins Tiburon Divers Contract

Tiburon Divers, a commercial diving company servicing the inland and offshore sectors, has signed an agreement with CapRock Communications to outfit its entire fleet with a communications package. Under the terms of the agreement, CapRock provides Tiburon's fleet of dive vessels with Voice over IP, Internet access and wireless access points supported by 24/7 customer service and network monitoring.

Boeing Awards $73M Platform Contract

AMFELS Inc, a member of Keppel Offshore & Marine Ltd (Keppel O&M), has won a $73 million firm-fixed-price contract for the modification of a platform from The Boeing Company. The SBX Platform is a self-propelled semi-submersible modified oil-drilling platform developed for the US Government’s Sea-Based Test X-Band Radar (SBX) in support of its ground-based midcourse missile defense system. Mr Tong Chong Heong, Chairman of AMFELS and Managing Director and Chief Operating Officer of Keppel

U.K. Could Save $5.6 Billion by Linking Offshore Wind Farms: Report

Bloomberg reports that the U.K. could save as much as $5.6 billion by connecting offshore wind farms to each other, cutting down on construction and operating costs. As much as 15 percent of the cost could be knocked off the bill for building wind infrastructure, according to a report today from the Department of Energy and Climate Change and energy regulator Ofgem. The U.K. is seeking to have about 18 gigawatts of turbines at sea installed, up from 2 gigawatts at present

Shell Deepwater Services Implements HDI

Shell Deepwater Services, a division of Shell International Exploration and Production Inc., has contracted with NHDS for the delivery of an HDI-based knowledge management solution for communicating high volumes of vital information over high- and low-bandwidth networks found on offshore drilling rigs. After a 16-month trial period, Shell is formally installing the software on its deepwater rigs around the globe. The patented HDI (High Definition Information(TM)) technology enables offshore