Heroes on the High Seas
On Sunday, December 17, 2000 a raging storm was brewing off the coast of Virginia. Record-breaking waves were measuring anywhere from 30-40 ft. and the wind was gusting at about 70 knots. In the middle of the Atlantic, (220 miles off the coast of Norfolk, Va. to be exact), a 600 ft. (182.8 m), 21,000-ton cruise ship was in trouble, its crewmembers ready to abandon ship into the cold ocean. With only seconds to decide the fate of his vessel, the captain of the Sea Breeze I, placed a mayday call via the vessel's Inmarsat Standard-C distress feature, indicating that the now-defunct Premier Cruise Lines' vessel might sink. By Regina P. The dramatic rescue of SeaBreeze's 34 crewmembers began on that Sunday morning, when Eileen Joyce received an alert at COMSAT Mobile's Southbury, Conn.
COMSAT Mobile Honored For Maritime Safety
COMSAT Mobile Communications (CMC) was honored with the Maritime Safety Award at the Seaman's Church Institute's 24th Annual Silver Bell Awards Dinner in New York City on June 14. In addition to noting CMC's variety of data, high-speed data and voice mobile satellite communications services, the Maritime Safety Award also recognized CMC's operators and their ability to respond effectively in emergency situations. Traditionally, the Seaman's Church Institute Maritime Safety Award is presented to groups or individuals at the Silver Bell Awards dinner in recognition of a specific event, such as a rescue or dedicated commitment to the industry…
