Communication Tools News

Annapolis, Md. boatbuilder Ocean Craft Marine has delivered a new law enforcement boat to the Black Diamond Police Department in Black Diamond, Wash.The 6.5-meter aluminum police boat is primed to tackle a wide range of tasks, including search and rescue operations, surveillance and law enforcement activities. It is equipped with cutting-edge navigational systems, state-of-the-art communication tools and specialized law enforcement equipment, the builder said."The addition of…

Today would have been the day that SMM 2020 opened its doors if it hadn't been for the coronavirus pandemic. Instead, organizers of the maritime industry's largest trade fair are preparing for the rescheduled date in February 2021."Of course, the entire SMM team is a bit sad the fair isn't starting today. But increasingly, this regret is giving way to a sense of anticipation of a rather unique SMM in February 2021," says Claus Ulrich Selbach, Business Unit Director – Maritime and Technology Fairs & Exhibitions at Hamburg Messe und Congress GmbH (HMC).

As maritime firms turn to remote vessel and equipment surveys to continue business operations amid the coronavirus pandemic, classification society Bureau Veritas announced it has opened two additional sites to further expand its digital classification delivery capabilities. The recently opened remote survey centers in Dubai, U.A.E. and Istanbul, Turkey are part of Bureau Veritas' strategy to deploy a 24/7 remote survey offer worldwide. The additions follow the opening of remote survey centers in Rotterdam…

Remote vessel and equipment surveys have been available in the maritime world for years, but classification societies are seeing increased demand for these services as more firms turn to digital solutions to continue business during the coronavirus outbreak.Using real-time video communication tools, and even drones and robotics when applicable, surveyors are able to work with stakeholders to perform inspections without having to be on site, which is especially beneficial amid current COVID-19 travel restrictions.ABS…

Classification society RINA signed an agreement with VRMedia, an augmented and virtual reality company, to boost the development of remote inspection technologies to carry out ship inspections using VRMedia’s Kiber system.Kiber is a wearable hardware and software fully integrated system for remote assistance, that allows the consultation and sharing of real time information between several participants through augmented reality tech.With the Kiber Helmet, a headset equipped with a video camera…

Naval Group has launched the seventh multi-mission FREMM frigate for the French Navy from a specialist facility in Lorient.Known as Alsace, the vessel is the first of the two air defence frigates under the FREMM programme  – Multi-Mission European Frigates – for the French Navy and the ninth multi-missions FREMM frigate.Thirteen months after the keel laying of the first block, the FREMM DA Alsace is released from the construction form of the Naval Group site of Lorient. Ninth multi-missions FREMM frigate, it is also the seventh one for the French Navy, ordered by the OCCAr on behalf of the DGA..In order to answer the operational requirements…

Senior decision makers from all sectors of the shipping industry met in Hamburg yesterday to hear some of the leaders in the digital revolution debate the opportunities and threats faced by the industry today. Although operating in many different fields, their conclusion was startlingly clear. To navigate successfully and profitably in the digital age, ship operators must go back to basics, steering a clear course through the data explosion to harness the benefits of the new technologies whilst avoiding their pitfalls.

Louisiana-based DSC Dredge, LLC, will have its experts on hand at AGG1 Aggregates Academy & Expo, March 22-24, 2016, in Nashville to discuss customers’ specific dredging challenges, learning their unique stories and offering DSC’s customized dredging solutions. DSC said it believes that every dredge begins with a story; every dredging application is different, and every dredge operator works under unique conditions. DSC’s dredging solutions are rooted in a number of base models that are then customized to match the customer’s goals.

Kongsberg Norcontrol IT (KNC) will this June integrate its advanced C-Scope Web and Mobile Application module into the Norwegian Coastal Administration’s C-Scope Vessel Traffic Service (VTS) systems. The agreement for the C-Scope Mobile Applications, which will provide live VTS information on mobile devices, was signed on May 5, 2014. The C-Scope Mobile Applications were ordered under the VTS Framework contract established in February 2013 between the Norwegian Coastal Administration (NCA) and KNC.

Crowley's Ocean Rangers Have Protected Alaska's Environment Since 2008. The State of Alaska's Department of Environmental Conservation (ADEC) has announced that it has awarded a contract to Crowley Maritime Corporation to continue administering the State of Alaska's Ocean Ranger Program, effective November 2011. The contract directs Crowley to recruit, hire, train and organize the logistics of placing Ocean Rangers on board cruise ships each season to act as independent observers and to assure compliance with federal and state environmental health, sanitation and safety requirements.

MarineNews spoke with Mark Knoy, President of AEP River Operations, about his background in the industry, challenges and opportunities in the inland waterways and how technology is impacting operations. How did you come to be involved in the industry? I grew up in the river business with my father and brother. My dad was a river boat Captain and I started as a deckhand, engineer and then pilot. My father and I started a fleeting business on the Illinois River and things took off from there. I came to work at AEP in 1994. What are the obstacles and opportunities in the market right now?

As the Internet continues to serve as a vital platform to instantly and publicly disseminate information and opinions, blogging has increasingly become more mainstream, and even, a pertinent resource for the Navy and other government agencies. Since emerging in the late 1990s, Web Logs, or blogs, have come a long way. In fact, the Navy, well known for its effective public outreach, has encouraged use of the web as an informational tool within guidelines. "The WWW is an extremely powerful public information tool, and its use, within these guidelines, is encouraged." As the popularity of blogs within the ranks grew, in 2005, the Navy issued a regulation (SECNAVINST 5720.47B) and said, "There is also no prohibition on blogs operated by individual members as private citizens.

Modern day piracy, it seems, is rather like plugging a badly leaking pipe with one finger — just when you think you might have stemmed the flow from one area, another jet of water shoots out to hit you in the face. Even if some long-term solution is reached on this front, a more sinister and sustained outbreak of piracy (and militancy) has once again arisen in Nigeria. Increased threats to the oil industry (including on ship and offshore rig personnel) from well organized and armed militant groups in the Niger Delta have become more and more prevalent…

Collegegrad.com named Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) a ‘Top Entry Level Employer” Jan. 30. This honor was announced on the Collegegrad.com website. Tony Gibert, Recruiting Director for NAVSEA’s Warfare Centers, agrees. "New college graduates are a very important part of our workforce. They not only bring a 'new' perspective coupled with global knowledge of technology applications and communication tools, but also show a contagious enthusiasm, work energy and initiative,” said Gibert. According to Collegegrad.com, entry level employers are increasing their hiring by 11.8% in 2008. Three hundred forty entry-level positions are expected to open at NAVSEA and its affiliated warfare centers in 2008. This is an increase from 200 new entry-level hires in 2007 according to Collegegrad.com.

Connexion by Boeing and Teekay Shipping will this month launch a maritime trial of the Connexion by Boeing service over the North Atlantic. "Affordable broadband on our ships will allow us to explore business solutions and services that have previously not been feasible," said Graham Westgarth, president of Teekay Marine Services. The Connexion by Boeing maritime solution — 2.5 Mbps to the vessel and 256 kbps from the vessel - is touted as much faster than options currently on the market today. As ships at sea increasingly utilize communication tools to facilitate the efficient operation of ships, this capability will allow users to access the Internet and firewall-protected corporate intranets…

Globalstar, L.P. brought its next-generation strategizing to fruition with the release of full commercial access of its mobile satellite service in the U.S. through its distributor Globalstar U.S.A. With the recent demise of Iridium, and ICO Global Communications' ongoing recovery from bankruptcy, Globalstar's entry into the market is seemingly ideal. Vessel owner/operators increasingly rely on state-of-the-art communication tools to ensure safe, efficient operations. Much as has transpired in consumer markets, the wider availability of communication technology — and subsequent drive-down of equipment and airtime pricing — fuels airtime usage.