Satellite Television System News

Louisiana-based shipbuilder Metal Shark has delivered a custom welded-aluminum pilot boat to the Brazos Pilots Association in Freeport, Texas.The new vessel, “Brazos Pilot,” is a 64’ x 19’ Defiant-class monohull pilot boat designed by Metal Shark and built at the company’s Franklin, Louisiana shipyard. This new pilot boat is intended to replace the pilots’ smaller, single-engine 40’ pilot boat, improving safety for crews while enhancing service to operators and providing around…

Seacraft Shipyard Corporation of Amelia, La., recently delivered M/V Galaxy to its owners in Roatan, Honduras. M/V Galaxy will operate as a passenger and cargo ferry servicing the islands off the coast of Honduras. The vessel can transport up to 279 passengers, and has three separate cargo holds. Main propulsion is supplied by four CAT 3412 engines rated at 825 hp each, close-coupled to TD 5202 2.5:1 transmissions turning 40 x 41 in. four-blade Nibral propellers. Electrical power is supplied by two new 60 kW, 1,200 rpm generator sets. The main cabin has seating for 168 passengers, as well as a concesion area. A satellite television system with remotes throughout the vessel and stereo system is installed for passenger entertainment.

M/V Lady Pintail, launched by SkipperLiner, features a cherrywood décor with marble floors and marble countertops. The 149-passenger corporate entertainment yacht has an elevated pilothouse (to the third deck), and an expansive second deck dining salon and cocktail skylounge. The vessel boasts a four-camera, two-monitor external video system, 348,000 BTU of HVAC ad Eisenglass enclosed canopy with dedicated HVAC system. For entertainment, a Datron satellite television system is present.

For the second year in a row, two communications systems and two navigation products from KVH Industries, Inc. have earned "best product" awards from The National Marine Electronics Association (NMEA). TracVision 3, a new 1999 system based upon last year's award-winning TracVision II, was voted Best Satellite Television System, and Tracphone 25 was again named Best Satellite Telephone System. The company's new Azimuth GyroTrac was named Best Gyro Compass and the Azimuth 1000 was once again voted Best Electronic Compass. TracVision 3 is unique in that it combines proprietary orientation sensor and antenna pointing technologies to deliver impressive satellite tracking performance.

KVH introduced the smallest, in-motion satellite television system providing the marine mobile user with the most reliable identification and tracking of Digital Video Broadcasting (DVB) satellites. TracVision G4 is the first single antenna system formulated to assess a range of DVB compatible satellites and transponders. The product can then accurately identify, acquire and maintain tracking of the one selected by a mobile user. Featuring a built-in DVB compatible tuner and easy-to-use interface, TracVision G4 includes the award-winning KVH GyroTrac sensor at no extra charge.