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Federal Communications Commission News

31 Aug 2022

Royal Caribbean Will Be Industry's First to Use SpaceX’s Starlink High-speed Internet

Royal Caribbean first trialed SpaceX’s Starlink on board Freedom of the Seas. (Photo: Royal Caribbean Group)

Royal Caribbean Group this week revealed it will be the industry's first cruise ship operator to implement SpaceX’s Starlink for onboard broadband internet service for guests and crew fleetwide.The cruise giant said on Tuesday it will immediately begin installing Starlink high-speed, low-latency connectivity on all Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises and Silversea Cruises ships, along with all new vessels for each of its brands going forward. Initial installations…

12 Apr 2021

Marlink Gets OK to Acquire ITC Global from Panasonic

Caption: As part of the Marlink Group, ITC Global will mainly focus on energy and high-end customers who demand specific and complex managed network solutions.

Maritime connectivity and IT solutions provider Marlink Group has obtained final regulatory approvals to acquire 100% of ITC Global from Panasonic. "The Marlink and ITC Global management teams are preparing for a swift closing of the transaction in the coming weeks, while remaining fully focused on providing best-in-class services to their customers across the world," Marlink said."Both the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) have given their approval to the deal.

04 Jan 2019

USCG: EPIRBs and False Alerts

After responding to over 700 false alerts in 2018, the Coast Guard is urging anyone with an emergency position indicating radio beacon to properly register their device.An EPIRB is a device that transmits a distress signal to a satellite system called Cospas-Sarsat. The satellites relay the signal to a network of ground units and ultimately to the Coast Guard and other emergency responders.Owners of commercial fishing vessels, uninspected passenger vessels that carry six or more people, and uninspected commercial vessels are legally required to carry an EPIRB.

11 Jul 2018

Maritime Distress Beacon Gains North American Approval

McMurdo SmartFind G8 AIS EPIRB (Image: Orolia)

Orolia’s McMurdo SmartFind G8 AIS Emergency Position-Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) has been approved by the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and Innovation, Science and Economic Development (ISED) Canada.The world’s first EPIRB to contain both the international 406 MHz alert frequency and the localized rescue power of the Automatic Identification System (AIS), the McMurdo SmartFind G8 AIS is now ready to order for leisure and commercial maritime use across the U.S.

27 Jan 2017

Insights: Margo Marks -President, Beaver Island Boat Company

Margo S. Marks

Margo S. Marks is President/General Manager of Beaver Island Boat Company, Beaver Island, Mich. The company has provided passenger, vehicle and freight services, between Beaver Island and Charlevoix, Mich. since 1984. The first ferry service to the island began in 1890. B.I. Boat Company operates two subchapter K vessels with a capacity of up to 294 passengers and 16 vehicles on the larger vessel, and 172 passengers and 9 vehicles on the smaller vessel. Notably, Margo has deep roots in the Gresat Lakes community and graduated from the Great Lakes Maritime Academy in 1983…

14 Oct 2013

Northrop Grumman Appoints Maureen Del Duca Vice President

Maureen Del Duca

Northrop Grumman Corporation has appointed Maureen Del Duca vice president and deputy general counsel, Litigation and Investigations, effective immediately. In this role, Del Duca will be responsible for leading and managing the company's top quality internal team, and overseeing outside counsel for litigation, arbitration and investigations. Del Duca joins Northrop Grumman from her former position at AOL, where she was senior vice president and deputy general counsel, litigation, and chief ethics and compliance officer.

22 Jan 2013

Subsea Cable Project: Tokyo to London via NW Passage

Arctic Fibre Inc plans to construct a 15,167 km (9,424 mile) subsea fibre optic cable; North Alaska Slope residents to benefit. Arctic Fibre announce that it will partner with Anchorage-based Quintillion Networks, LLC to provide broadband telecommunications services to more than 26,500 Alaska residents living along the Alaskan North Slope and Bering Sea coastline, and to provide a geographically diverse alternate fibre route for traffic from the United States to Europe and Asia. Arctic Fibre was established in 2009 to explore deploying a fibre optic telecommunications system through the Canadian Arctic. Arctic Fibre plans to construct a 15…

07 Feb 2012

New McMurdo Smartfind S10 AIS Beacon

Smartfind S10 AIS Beacon

When manually activated, the Smartfind S10 uses AIS and GPS technology to give precise location information to aid the recovery of people in difficulty at sea. Waterproof to 60 meters, buoyant and compact, this unique device can make all the difference in a localized search situation. The chances of being rescued are greatly increased thanks to its ability to transmit both AIS and GPS data to the vessel the individual has come from and to other AIS equipped vessels within a four mile radius.

27 Jan 2012

Man-Overboard Product Wins Award

Kannad Marine SafeLink R10 SRS (Survivor Recovery System)

Kannad Marine SafeLink R10 SRS Named Overall Winner of 2012 Pittman Innovation Awards. McMurdo Ltd, a company of the Orolia Group announced that its Kannad Marine SafeLink R10 SRS (Survivor Recovery System) has been selected as the Overall Winner of the 2012 Pittman Innovation Awards. This is the first year an Overall Winner of the Pittman Awards has been selected by the judges. The judging panel recognized that the SafeLink R10 was “the perfect man-overboard product” and commented…

09 Sep 2011

Emergency Professionals Choose KVH TracPhone V3 for Portable SATCOM

KVH distributor Mackay Communications offers a unique, transportable terminal for mini-VSAT Broadband service. KVH Industries, Inc., (Nasdaq: KVHI) today announced a portable configuration of its ultra-compact TracPhone® V3 mobile satellite communication system designed for use by emergency responders. The kit, created by KVH distributor Mackay Communications, houses the TracPhone V3 antenna, modem, control unit, and cabling in two compact, hard-sided cases that can be transported easily and are even small enough to be checked as baggage on commercial aircraft.

01 Sep 2011

U.S. Coast Guard Marine Safety Alert 04-11

MARINER'S SAFETY ENDANGERED WHEN VHF RADIO DISTRESS ALERTS BY DIGITAL SELECTIVE CALLING (DSC) LACK LOCATION AND IDENTIFICATION INFORMATION. As the Coast Guard's new marine radio network Rescue 21 becomes operational throughout the U.S., rescue centers can now receive instant distress alerts from commonly used DSC-capable VHF marine radios. However, approximately 90% of VHF DSC distress alerts received by the Coast Guard do not contain position information, and approximately 60% do not contain a registered identity. The Coast Guard cannot effectively respond to a DSC distress alert sent from such a radio. * no position information is known. FIRST Obtain a Maritime Mobile Installation Identity (MMSI) and enter it into your radio.

13 Aug 2010

This Day in Coast Guard History – August 13

1954-Congress passed Public Law 584, resulting in the Coast Guard relinquishing to the Federal Communications Commission the responsibility for issuing safety radiotelegraphy and safety radiotelephony certificates and exemption certificates under the International Convention for Safety of Life at Sea. 1967-CGC Sweetbriar and CGC Cape Coral came to the rescue of Alaska Governor Walter J. Hickel and his fishing party after they began trapped in a cove by a heavy storm.  The cutters escorted the fishing party safely back to Juneau. (Source: USCG Historian’s Office)

17 Jun 2010

Oil Spill & Offshore Drilling Commission Members

•    Frances G. •    Terry D. •    Cherry A. The bipartisan Commission, established through an Executive Order, is tasked with providing recommendations on how we can prevent – and mitigate the impact of – any future spills that result from offshore drilling. The Council is co-chaired by former two-term Florida Governor and former U.S. Senator Bob Graham and former Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency William K. Reilly. Frances G. Frances Beinecke is currently the President of the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), a non-profit corporation that works to advance environmental policy in the United States and across the world. Ms. Beinecke has worked at NRDC for 35 years, serving as executive director, associate director and deputy executive director.

10 Feb 2010

KVH Q4 2009 Results

KVH Industries, Inc., (NASDAQ:KVHI) reported financial results for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2009. Revenue for the fourth quarter of 2009 was $26.3 million, up 24% from the quarter ended December 31, 2008. Net income for the period was $1.8 million, or $0.13 per diluted share. During the same period last year the company reported net income of $0.3 million or $0.02 per diluted share. For the year ended December 31, 2009, revenue was $89.1 million, up 8% compared to $82.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2008. KVH reported a net loss of $0.1 million or $0.01 per share for 2009. During the same period last year, the company reported net income of $3.1 million or $0.21 per diluted share.

22 Dec 2009

KVH’s Mini-VSAT Broadband Gov’t Approval

KVH Industries, Inc., (Nasdaq: KVHI) announced that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has granted permanent “Earth Station onboard – Vessel” or ESV license authority for KVH’s mini-VSAT Broadband satellite communications service. This authority officially approves the spread spectrum mini-VSAT Broadband service and 24-inch diameter TracPhone V7 antenna as meeting the FCC’s new regulations for broadband maritime services. Prior to receiving this permanent license, the KVH mini-VSAT Broadband service has operated in U.S. waters under an FCC Special Temporary Authority (STA) since September 2007, while also supporting mariners worldwide.

22 Jan 2004

SES Use On Vessels

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) on procedures to govern use of satellite earth stations on board vessels in the 5925-6425 MHz/3700-4200 MHz bands and the 14.0-14.5 GHz/11.7-12.2 GHz bands. Comments on the proposal should be submitted by February 23, 2004. 69 Fed. Reg. 3056 (Source: HK Law)

25 Mar 2004

Satellite Use Comment Period Extended

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has extended until March 24, 2004, the comment period on its proposal regarding terrestrial fixed service and fixed satellite service operators on board vessels in the C and Ku-bands. 69 Fed. Reg. 15288 (HK Law)

06 Apr 2004

Maritime Security: Port Pile Up?

There are less than three months until July 1 ... Do you know where your International Ship Security Certificate (ISSC) is? If not, you are in grave danger of having your ship delayed or even denied entry into port in the United States and various other countries. The International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code comes into effect on July 1 and full enforcement of the U.S. Coast Guard regulations under the Maritime Transportation Security Act (MTSA) also commences. Ships engaged in international commerce and port facilities that they utilize are required to have fully implemented relevant provisions by that date. Port states, particularly the United States, have announced plans to vigorously enforce the ISPS Code and related provisions as of that date.

07 Apr 2004

Proposal: Streamline Maritime Comm Regs

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) issued a proposal to further implement the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) and continue the process of streamlining, consolidating, and revising domestic maritime radio regulations. Comments should be submitted by June 7, 2004. 69 Fed. Reg. 18007 (HK Law).

24 May 2004

RFID – Shipping Containers

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) issued a rule increasing the maximum field strength and transmission duration for 433 MHz radio frequency identification (RFID) systems used to identify contents of commercial shipping containers in commercial and industrial areas. Improved RFID systems could benefit commercial shippers and have significant homeland security benefits by enabling the contents of containers to be easily and immediately identified and by allowing a determination of whether tampering of the contents has occurred during shipping. Conditions, though, have been placed on use of the new system. The rule comes into effect on June 23. 69 Fed. Reg. 29459 (HK Law).

07 Feb 2002

Inmarsat Opens D.C. Office

Inmarsat Ventures plc., announced the opening of their first U.S.-based operations with an office located in Washington, D.C. Inmarsat will execute their North American operations strategy through the new office following the October 2001 legislation extending the ORBIT Act deadline for the company's initial public offering, and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) ruling granting access rights for several Inmarsat partners. The legislation and FCC ruling will enable businesses in the U.S. to benefit from Inmarsat's robust and reliable high-speed data and voice communications services through Inmarsat partners. As a former Intergovernmental Organization…

10 Aug 2004

Maritime Communications: Comments Sought

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) proposes to amend its rules to allow VHF public coast (VPC) and automated maritime telecommunications system (AMTS) station licensees to provide private mobile radio service to units on land. Comments on the proposal should be submitted by October 12, 2004. 69 Fed. Reg. 48440 (HK Law).

14 Jun 2004

PVA Comments on Proposed Maritime Communications Rule

On June 7, the Passenger Vessel Association filed written comments with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) on a proposed rule on maritime communications. FCC had sought comments on whether to require all small passenger vessels to have a reserve power source for their radios (currently, such a requirement applies only to passenger vessels of 100 or more gross tons). PVA recommended that the FCC not require all small passenger vessels to have a reserve power source. Instead, said PVA, the requirement should apply only to a subset of small passenger vessels, those that fall within Subchapter K of Title 46 Code of Federal Regulations…