Boatracs News

McMurdo  has announced PRISMA Connect, a web-based integrated fleet management system that connects ship to shore in real-time for improved communication and operational efficiencies, as well as increased crew productivity with two-way messaging and electronic forms capture. The innovative system, which is based on proven Boatracs BTConnect and BTVessel software, is the first product announcement under McMurdo’s new suite of PRISMA (Preparation, Response, Identification, Surveillance, Management, Acceleration) software solutions.

The impact of technology on one of the world’s other oldest professions has been nothing short of revolutionary, in some cases forcing the marine industry to finally lay aside centuries of thinking and time-honored, if not always accurate, tools. The digital age has not only transformed almost every aspect of seafaring vessels and the processes undertaken on board, but it has sharpened and strengthened the calculations and equations used to measure, shape, process, speed, track and image the steps involved in creating parts, solving problems and rendering reality-based training.

McMurdo Group was launched today as a new global company in end-to-end search and rescue (SAR) and maritime domain awareness (MDA) solutions. Comprised of Orolia’s former Positioning, Tracking and Monitoring Division, McMurdo Group combines Boatracs, Kannad, McMurdo and Techno-Sciences, Inc. into the industry’s first, single-vendor provider of end-to-end lifesaving and tracking solutions including distress beacons, satellite connectivity infrastructure, monitoring/positioning software and emergency response management. “The formation of McMurdo Group is far more just than a corporate realignment. It is an opportunity to lead, simplify and educate a fragmented…

Boatracs Inc., a provider of integrated satellite communications and software solutions to the maritime industry, said it will conduct live booth demonstrations of two new maritime applications at the International Workboat Show in New Orleans on October 9-11, 2013. Boatracs BTConnect AIS (Automatic Identification System) extends the functionality of BTConnect by integrating real time messaging and vessel tracking with AIS data on a single display. The AIS Man Overboard (MOB) Alarm Notification System…

SATCOM’s Availability, Pricing and Utility tempts marine users left unsatisfied by limitations of cellular communication. The inland operator hoping to survive in tomorrow’s rapidly emerging business environment using cellular communications alone is likely to be, as a minimum, disappointed. In a worst case scenario, they may find themselves out of business. That said; there are options that inland transportation businesses can turn to when trying to effectively manage their far-flung businesses. One such option involves the KVH inland solution. According to Steve Griffin, Manager, Commercial Sales at KVH Industries, Inc., the launch of the TracPhone V3ip gave inland operators a solution that had not previously been made available to them…

Boatracs draws attention to a growing demand for its Fleet Management Software with over 2,000 vessels presently online. The company says that BTConnect is the only fleet management platform to combine visual monitoring of vessel positions on an interactive map with location based two-way messaging and reporting, providing intelligence that enables owners and operators of offshore service, inland waterways, coastal workboat and commercial fishing fleets to run their companies more efficiently, safely and profitably.

For inland operators, Compliance, Safety & Technology make for heavy river traffic as software providers descend on a rapidly approaching, potentially lucrative niche market. Is there a panacea for subchapter M? Pending USCG Subchapter “M” (SubM) regulations will eventually require towing operators to implement safety standards and use safety management systems, or alternatively, allow for an annual Coast Guard inspection regime. The new rules are expected to allow towing vessel organizations to customize their approach to meeting the requirements, while providing oversight using audits, inspections, and reviews of safety data. As many as 5,000 vessels and their operators will eventually feel the impact of the so-called subchapter M rules.

Boatracs announces strategic partnership with Maritime Compliance Internationa (MCI)l to provide Subchapter M compliance solution. The two companies are collaborating in the development of a new electronic forms software product for the workboat market designed specifically for compliance management of the upcoming Coast Guard 46 CFR Subchapter "M" regulation. The new product is based on Boatracs' industry leading electronic forms platform, Boatracs BTForms. BTForms is currently in use on almost 200 vessels to simplify the process of collecting accurate vessel data for dispatch, Health, Safety and the Environment (HSE), maintenance and management.

Connectivity and Communications Complete the Package. The complex task of operating any marine enterprise isn’t getting any easier. Financial, regulatory, operational, environmental and human resource pressures all increase over time. In the brown water, workboat world, these problems are exacerbated by the sheer number of smaller operators struggling to catch up with business requirements that have become increasingly sophisticated, and over a very short period of time. Keeping track of the new subchapter “M” rules…

Orolia announces the acquisition of Boatracs Inc., an information solutions provider for the maritime market. Oriola, a group specialized in positioning, navigation and GPS timing equipment and systems for critical operations has announced the acquisition of Boatracs Inc., a maritime information solutions provider for the commercial marine industry (fishing vessels, dredgers, tugs, barges, training vessels, rescue boats, oil platform service vessels, etc.). The Boatracs acquisition…

The Boatracs acquisition is part of the Orolia group’s strategy to offer more complete business solutions to its customers operating critical infrastructure in remote or harsh environments. These solutions consist of a hardware platform, a communications beacon which allows for wireless data transmission and reception and software which provides a web-based user interface to facilitate effective data communications between ship and shore. Oriola says itsl business model calls for initial hardware sales followed by recurring airtime revenue and SaaS (Software as a Service).

KVH Industries, Inc., has named Boatracs Inc., a leader in integrated maritime satellite communications and software solutions, the first Value Added Service Provider (VASP) for its mini-VSAT Broadband service. This collaboration will deliver an end-to-end fleet management package for the commercial workboat and fishing markets, bringing Boatracs' market leading software applications to vessels via a reliable broadband connection in a single package. Sold under the name "Boatracs Broadband Fleet Management Solution", this innovative package includes a KVH TracPhone® V3 and mini-VSAT Broadbandsm service for global broadband connectivity as well as Boatracs maritime software platforms, Boatracs BTConnect® and Boatracs BTForms™.

Boatracs Announces Multi-Year Contract Renewal with Moran Towing Corporation - Maritime Services Company Extends Satellite Data Communications Services and Adds BTConnect as Messaging and Mapping Platform. Boatracs Inc., a leader in providing integrated satellite communications and software solutions to the maritime industry, announced today that Moran Holdings, Inc., a leading maritime services company, has signed a multi-year extension to its satellite communications services contract.

Current headquarters will be relocated to larger commercial space in San Diego, California. Boatracs Inc., a leader in providing integrated satellite communications and software solutions to the maritime industry, announced it has acquired a 12,500 square-foot office building in San Diego, California as a space for their Corporate Headquarters. Boatracs will occupy the building to house general operations, engineering, shipping and its Network Operations Center for 24 hour live customer support.

Marine Transportation Company Using Electronic Forms to Streamline Compliance. San Diego, California, November 2, 2011 – Boatracs Inc., a leader in providing integrated satellite communications and software solutions to the maritime industry, announced today it has completed the installation of Boatracs BTForms, an electronic forms product, on multiple vessels for United Tugs, Inc., a full service marine towing contractor. The project entailed the conversion of 7 of United Tug’s paper forms into an electronic version that captains can complete with their on-board PC, providing an efficient and easy-to-use form that transmits data in a cost effective and timely manner.

San Diego, California, April 5, 2011: Boatracs Inc., a leader in providing integrated communications and software solutions to the maritime industry, announced today it has completed the installation of BT Forms, an electronic forms product, on 14 vessels for United Barge Lines (UBL), the inland transportation division of United Maritime Group. The project entailed the conversion of UBL’s Master’s Daily Log into an electronic form that captains can complete with their on-board PC, providing an efficient and easy-to-use form that transmits data in a cost effective and timely manner.

San Diego, California, March 8, 2011: Boatracs Inc., a leader in providing integrated communications and software solutions to the maritime industry, announced today it is building a powerful new web-based software platform. Boatracs has partnered with TransIT Solutions, a software provider for the transportation and logistics industry, to accelerate the development of the new solution. The partnership combines TransIT Solutions’ strength in developing Internet-based GPS applications…

Boatracs, the premier provider of wireless maritime information solutions, recently participated in a maritime security exercise co-sponsored by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), Regional Maritime Security Coalition (RMSC), Oregon Emergency Management (OEM), and the states of Washington, Oregon, and Idaho. Conducted at the OEM Center in Salem, Oregon, in November 2003, the security exercise was designed to test maritime communication systems and track cargo movement along the Columbia and Snake River systems as a means of preventing potential security threats to US transportation networks. Boatracs provided a wireless maritime information system to demonstrate security readiness.

Boatracs, a business unit of Advanced Remote Communication Solutions, Inc., has appointed new personnel to better service clients, and expand sales coverage in the Pacific Northwest. In newly created positions, Robert Trainor joins the company as Sales Engineer, managing activities for the Pacific Northwest, Alaska and western Canada, and Steven M. Bryan, Sr. as Manager of Projects, Design and Development. Both positions report to Charles J. Drobny Jr., Chief Operating Officer of Boatracs. Trainor is responsible for expanding Boatracs' regional coverage by delivering products and services that improve safety, integrate information, manage data, and facilitate fishermen's ability to obtain the best price for their catch while at sea.

Boatracs, a business unit of Advanced Remote Communication Solutions (ARCOMS) has formed a strategic alliance with Nobeltec Corp., a developer of charting and navigation software. Together, they will spotlight ChartView Celestial Mariner, Boatracs' and Nobletec's nautical charting navigation and communications software, which was presented at the 1999 Fish Expo in Seattle during November. The product was shown again at the International Workboat Show in New Orleans in December. ChartView is a complete electronic charting and navigation solution for the marine navigator. It includes all the renowned planning and navigation features that mariners need, while offering auto-pilot controls, an integrated captain's log and the GPS Data Manager.

The satellite communications sector of the marine market has not been immune from the corporate consolidations that have swept all other corners of the industry, and while this particular niche has been widely regarded as fragmented, it is yet to be seen what the end effect will be for the communication users. However, it can be assumed that competition is still keen, and the name of the communication game continues to center on quality, reliability and capabilities. With an increasing emphasis on the transmission of data rather than traditional voice or fax, it can be assumed that continued efforts will center on widening the information "pipeline" between vessel and shore.

Advanced Remote Communication Solutions (ARCOMS) has promoted Charles J. Drobny, Jr. to COO for its business unit, Boatracs. Drobny, who has served as vice president of Application Development for Boatracs Gulfport since November 1997, brings a vast amount of senior level management experience along with knowledge in the development of various critical software integration solutions for the marine industry. A graduate of The U.S. Military Academy with a B.S. in Engineering, Drobny holds an M.B.A. from The University of Cincinnati.

Disaster preparedness and recovery plans have taken on new aspects and urgency since September 11. For many who didn't have disaster recovery plans, they have been inspired to create them. Now operations managers of maritime companies who are responsible for their communications and smooth functioning of office systems must also consider more possible threats. Is your company prepared to continue operating if forced to evacuate your offices due to an anthrax exposure? What if your office, vessels, or people were directly affected by violent terrorist attacks? What happens if your suppliers are unable to provide you communications links, phone lines, or power? Your plan should consider all of these catastrophes and more.