Internet Communications News

Singapore based shipping company Pacific International Lines (PIL) is installing satellite communication, or VSAT, on its entire fleet as part of its digitalization efforts to enhance seafarer wellbeing and improve productivity on board its ships. Communications technology group Singtel said it is one of the partners providing PIL with communications and cybersecurity solutions for 33 vessels in PIL’s fleet.“As a progressive company, PIL is constantly looking for ways to achieve business excellence and optimize operational efficiency.

Russian submarines and spy ships are aggressively operating near the vital undersea cables that carry almost all global internet communications, raising concerns in America, reports Reuters. The US intelligence officials feel that the Russians might be planning to attack those lines in times of tension or conflict, says the report. From the North Sea to Northeast Asia and even in waters closer to U.S. shores, there is increased Russian activity along the known routes of cables that carry the lifeblood of global electronic communications and commerce. The New York Times reported that US spies had noticed Russian submarines and spy ships acting suspiciously near cables in the North Sea, north-east Asia and off the American coast.

Royal Caribbean International has selected ElevenOS as the guest Internet management platform for its entire fleet of cruise ships, and has completed deployment of ElevenOS on all 22 ships at the end of 2014, including smartship Quantum of the Seas, hospitality technology provider Eleven announced today. ElevenOS is used to manage all aspects of this Internet service including custom branded portal pages, guest authentication, billing and advanced reporting. With ElevenOS and its satellite communications partners…

The Security Industry Association (SIA) says it has chosen Gordon Hope, general manager of Honeywell's AlarmNet communications network, as the 2014 recipient of the George R. Lippert Memorial Award. Hope, who celebrates 25 years with Honeywell this year, joined the company in 1989 when it was Ademco. He began in marketing, with responsibilities including the control panel family. Over time, he added responsibilities, ultimately becoming director of marketing and then vice president of marketing in 2006. As he rose through the ranks of Honeywell, he also served as SIA Chairman from 2009-2011. “With so many deserving peers nominated for the Lippert Award this year, I am particularly honored to receive it,” Hope said.

As the annual Day of the Seafarer dawns (June 25), InterManager, whose members manage more than 250,000 of the world’s seafarers, has reaffirmed its commitment to crewmembers with a package of activities aimed at addressing crew-related issues. The association, whose members are involved in the management of a third of the world fleet, is working with industry partners and training institutions on a number of projects to benefit crew members throughout the global shipping sector.

O3b Networks announces a multi-year, multi-million dollar agreement with Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. to provide high-speed satellite-delivered broadband service aboard the world’s largest cruise ship. By summer 2013, more than 8,000 guests, staff and crew members aboard the cruise industry leader’s flagship Oasis of the Seas – under the Royal Caribbean International brand – will be the first to enjoy O3b’s enhanced connectivity at sea as if connected to fiber at home or in the office. Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.

Applied Weather Technology (AWT) announced that Mercy Ships, operator of hospital ships delivering free, health care services to the poor, recently used the latest version of AWT’s BonVoyage System (BVS) to help the Africa Mercy navigate the safest and most fuel-efficient course while en route to the ship’s current assignment in Benin, West Africa. AWT first began donating the BVS graphical marine voyage optimization system to Mercy Ships in 2000, and since that time has continued to provide Mercy Ships with complimentary data, system upgrades and support.

Invsat Ltd., the U.K.-based telecommunications systems integrator, has been awarded a prestigious contract to provide network communications for the British Antarctic Survey in one of the world’s most challenging environments. The VSAT (Very Small Aperture Terminal) network is connected via the NSS-7 satellite to Invsat’s earth station based at its Aberdeenshire HQ. Stabilized C-Band VSAT systems are being deployed on the two ice-strengthened Royal Research Ships that support the British Antarctic Survey's operations in the region. The two vessels are the RRS James Clark Ross, which has some of Britain's most advanced facilities for oceanographic research, and the RRS Ernest Shackleton which is primarily a logistics ship, used for the re-supply of the Survey's stations.

Trico Marine Services, Inc. announces the appointment of Larry D. Francois as Senior Vice President of Operations. Prior to joining Trico, Francois served as President of Seabulk Offshore, a subsidiary of Seabulk International, Inc., for approximately three years where he was responsible for their worldwide offshore operations. Prior to his tenure at Seabulk, Larry served as area manager of domestic offshore marine operations for Tidewater, Inc. and prior to that assignment was a division manager for Zapata Gulf Marine Corporation in Mexico. Other overseas assignments included international marketing manager in London for Western Oceanic…

In an unpublished decision, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit ruled that internet communications equipment is an essential part of a cruise ship and is to be included when the ship becomes subject to a maritime lien. In the instant case, petitioner leased telecommunications and internet equipment to the operator of a cruise ship. Petitioner retained ownership of the equipment and provided service and maintenance. The ship was arrested for unpaid shipyard work totally unrelated to petitioner’s equipment. The ship was sold at a judicial sale. Petitioner sought to recover the value of its equipment, which was included in the ship sale.