Vitallink News

Providers in the communications and IT in shipping sector have been short-listed for innovation honors in the CITIS 2002 Awards. Winners will be announced at a gala dinner during the sixth CITIS event -hosted and sponsored by Inmarsat in London from March 18-22 - which also features a conference, seminars and an exhibition. The dinner will take place on March 19 at the Underglobe in Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre. In addition to awards in four commercial categories, International Maritime Organization secretary general William O’Neil is to receive a lifetime achievement award for steering the introduction of the Global Maritime Distress & Safety System.

Communications and IT companies in shipping were toasted at the CITIS 2002 Awards in London in March with top honors going to a daily electronic newspaper, an evacuation simulator, a collision avoidance trainer and a message management concept. In addition to innovation awards in four categories, International Maritime Organization secretary general William O’Neil received a lifetime achievement award for overseeing the introduction of the Global Maritime Distress & Safety System. The winners, selected by expert judges from a shortlist of three in each category, were announced at a gala dinner at Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre during the sixth CITIS event, organized by Lloyd’s List Events.

Invsat Limited, the VSAT and systems integration subsidiary of Inmarsat Ventures plc, has announced details of an initiative with London-based TeleMedic Systems, a supplier of remote telemedicine diagnostics. The aim is to speed up the delivery of emergency medical care using cutting-edge communications technology that supports TeleMedic Systems technical implementation. Central to this initiative will be VitalLink 1200 - a compact, lightweight system allowing monitoring of heart rate, blood pressure, blood oxygenation, temperature and electrocardiogram. These parameters are automatically transmitted by a satellite or terrestrial link, whichever communication is best adapted to the geographical site of the device.

Oceaneering International Inc recently purchased VitalLink 1200, the latest in medical technology from TeleMedic Systems for use in remote medical emergencies. VitalLink has been installed on board FPSO Ocean Producer providing the crew with access to 24 hour a day medical advice from International SOS, the world’s largest medical and security assistance company. VitalLink 1200, packaged in a ruggedised water resistant portable backpack, has been specifically designed for the non-medically trained operator. Should a worker on the Ocean Producer become sick or injured, the unit is activated, and voice prompts and on-screen instructions guide the operator through the attachment of simply designed medical leads to the patient.

Michael Carthew, President, Chevron Texaco Shipping and Dean Taylor, President and CEO, Tidewater Marine were elected to the ABS Board of Directors, by the ABS Council, following yesterday's Annual Members Meeting of the classification society in New York. General Dynamics announced the appointment of John F. "Dugan" Shipway, 60, as president of Bath Iron Works, reporting to Michael W. Toner, executive vice president of General Dynamics Marine Systems group. Shipway succeeds Allan C. Cameron, 57, who has announced his retirement. Cameron had been president of Bath Iron Works since 1996. Edwin W. Stephan, a founder and former longtime president and vice chairman of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., will retire from the Board of Directors following the company's May 20 annual meeting in Miami.