Communication Devices News

KVH Industries, Inc. introduces the KVH ONE hybrid network and TracNet terminals for fast, reliable connectivity at sea and at the dock. The TracNet H30, H60, and H90 terminals feature satellite, cellular, and Wi-Fi technology under one dome, with intelligent, automatic switching based on availability, cost, and quality of data connection to continually deliver the best performance. The KVH ONE network includes 276 million sq. km (106+ million sq. miles) of satellite coverage using KVH’s global, layered HTS network, powered by Intelsat.

Headset communications on board workboats in harsh marine environments are subject to a variety of challenges: background noise from loud engines and high wind turbulence around the microphone and the highly corrosive salt and spray in marine environments. On board rigid hull inflatable boats (RHIB) and high-speed craft (HSC) that pound through rough waters at 60 knots – including a variety of patrol boats and interceptor/interdiction vessels – critical communication can be rendered all but impossible.

As the Japan Coast Guard celebrates its 70th anniversary, Maritime Reporter & Engineering News offers insights on the current status and future direction of the JCG courtesy of an interview with Shuichi Iwanami, Commandant, Japan Coast Guard.*Note: At the time this interview was conducted, Shuichi Iwanami was still Vice Commandant for Operations.Could you please tell us the history and future development of the Japan Coast Guard (JCG)?The JCG, in 2018 celebrates the 70th anniversary of its foundation. When it was founded, the Japanese waters were in an eclipse period.

Safety solutions provider Survitec is returning to Seawork International in Southampton from July 3-5, a year after winning the Spirit of Innovation award at last year’s event. The focus of Survitec’s stand this year will be SOLAS 360; a brand-new concept aimed at improving overall safety levels through offering the products and services required in a holistic and consistent manner, available through one supplier. SOLAS 360 includes lifeboats, liferafts, personal lifesaving appliances…

Coast Guard rescued seven people Wednesday from a 180-foot motor vessel taking on water about 46 miles west of Great Inagua, Bahamas. At 5:20 a.m., Coast Guard Seventh District Command Center watch standers received an alert from a locating device from the motor vessel Trois Rivieres near Great Inagua. Watch standers diverted the Coast Guard Cutter Confidence crew and directed the launch of a forward deployed Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew. The rescue crew arrived on scene at 7:19 a.m. to lower the rescue swimmer with a dewatering pump and generator to help the Trois Rivieres crew. The pump wasn’t able to keep up with the water intake and the crew abandoned ship.

To operate marine electronics and communication devices, power converters such as inverters, battery chargers and power supplies are often installed to convert available DC or AC to the appropriate power outputs required. Complicating matters, both the power source (DC in varying voltages from battery banks and AC from generators or shore power) and the outputs (voltage, frequency, etc.) can vary for each piece of equipment. So much so, that finding the ideal converter can be difficult and often requires a customized solution.

Is the Limitation of Liability Act Still Relevant? In the aftermath of the El Faro disaster, that vessel’s owners exercised their right to file a petition to limit their liability in accordance with the U.S. Shipowner’s Limitation of Liability Act, 46 USC §30501, et seq. This evoked negative press and social media reaction with a now-familiar refrain: Why should a shipowner escape full liability for a disaster by hiding behind a 19th-century (i.e., outdated, antique, ancient) statute?

Choosing next generation communication systems for professional marine operations can be a daunting task. Not to worry: John Haynes provides a primer. Over the past decade we have come to expect fast, seamless global communications from a single device that fits in our pocket. The age of the smart phone and tablet enables multiple voices talking in a conference call and real time transfer of data, ranging from documents to photos and videos. In the modern bridge, most crew members have a GPS in their pocket which can identify where that person is on the planet.

Communications and safety at sea specialist Ocean Signal has appointed FURUNO Italia S.R.L. as its new distributor for Italy. Following confirmation of the new partnership, FURUNO is now able to market and supply the entire Ocean Signal range of products, which includes its SafeSea portfolio of GMDSS products and its innovative rescueME PLB1. As global leaders in the development and distribution of a range of marine electronics, the Italian specialists will use its strong links in both the commercial shipping and leisure boating markets to strengthen Ocean Signal’s presence in the country.

The oil tanker reported missing on January 18 at Angola, Luanda Anchorage was allegedly released by hijackers, according to a statement from the vessel's owner, Greece-based Dynacom Tankers Management Ltd. The Liberian-flagged MT Kerala was hijacked by pirates who stole a large amount of cargo before leaving yesterday, Dynacom said, adding that it was able to reestablish contact with the ship’s master, and all crew members are alive and accounted for. One injury has been reported. “Representatives of international law enforcement and intelligence agencies that are experienced in dealing with piracy incidents will be attending on board…

Imabari Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. completed the 95,000 DWT bulk carrier, Raga at its Marugame Shipyard. The bulk carrier is unique in that it has adopted a next-generation superstructure called the Aero-Citadel, which according to the shipyard offers significant advantages in both air resistance and antipiracy measures. The Aero-Citadel has slimly streamlined shape and includes the accommodation quarters, engine room and funnel casing. This superstructure can reduce the wind pressure during navigation by 25-30% based on wind tunnel testing.

Teledyne Oil & Gas, a business unit of Teledyne Technologies Incorporated, announced today that it held a Grand Opening celebration of its new 52,000-square-foot Technology Development Center in Daytona Beach. The Technology Development Center is a high-tech research and new product development center to bring forward engineered solutions to complex technical challenges, primarily for the offshore oil and gas production and exploration industries. The Honorable Rick Scott, Governor of Florida, provided opening remarks for the building, along with Dr. Robert Mehrabian, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Teledyne Technologies Incorporated, and other industry executives. This new center is expected to add over 100 new jobs to the local community.

Marine communication and safety specialist Ocean Signal presents its SafeSea range of products plus the world’s smallest personal locator beacon at this year’s International Workboat Show, through U.S. and Canada distributor Datrex Inc. The SafeSea products provide all essential handheld communication devices required in an emergency situation, while Ocean Signal’s rescueME PLB1 is ideal for the commercial market as it can be carried easily and unobtrusively by workers on tug boats, patrol vessels and other workboats.

EvoLogics GmbH, a manufacturer of underwater communication and positioning systems from Berlin, Germany, will showcase its recent developments at the Ocean Business 2013 exhibition from April 9-11 in Southampton, U.K., including new products, developer solutions and latest updates. Offering more options for customers, EvoLogics GmbH recently extended its ranges of underwater acoustic modems (S2CR series) and combined positioning and communication devices (S2CR USBL series), with new products – the S2CR 42/65 and S2CR 42/65 USBL, high-speed devices with hemispherical beam patterns for transmissions in vertical, slant and horizontal channels.

Teledyne Technologies Incorporated announced today that it has completed the acquisition of RESON. RESON, headquartered in Slangerup, Denmark, provides high-resolution marine acoustic imaging and measurement solutions. The acquired company will operate under the name Teledyne RESON. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. With more than 30 years of experience and approximately 1,400 RESON echosounders sold worldwide, RESON is a provider of multibeam sonar systems and specialty acoustic sensors for hydrography, global marine infrastructure and offshore energy operations.

US-based Gulfland Structures is celebrating their fifth year of manufacturing safe and comfortable housing for offshore gas and oil rigs. Keeping workers safe and comfortable contributes greatly to productivity and overall happiness with the working environment. Gulfland Structures say they understand this and have worked to provide the safest, quietest, most inviting accommodations available for their entire existence. Providing private areas within each bunk house that is wired to accommodate many communication devices is a key option.

The Duke University Center on Globalization, Governance and Competitiveness (CGGC) recently completed a study on ocean technologies, including remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) and autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), for a consortium led by Nova Scotia’s Department of Economic and Rural Development and Tourism (ERDT). Excerpts from the report on the market and technology trends in ROVs and AUVs are provided in this article. Global ROV vehicle sales in 2010 totaled approximately $850 million.

The Aero-Citadel is a superstructure with a slim streamlined shape which combines ship's accommodation, engine room , and funnel casing. Wind pressure during navigation will be reduced by 25-30% (ahown by wind tunnel testing). In a Cape size bulk carrier, the modular superstructure will enable a decrease of about 2% in fuel consumption (at normal output, about 9m/sec. in a Beaufort force 5 head wind). New marine use LED lighting is also introduced to the accommodation and engine room lighting system, which reduces electric power consumption used for lighting by about 50%.

Global Marine Networks Inc. How to stay in touch with family, friends and information through radio, satellite voice, email and Internet services while at sea with laptops and smartphones is the subject of the GMN offering. Blue water cruisers, and other boaters have more choices than ever when it comes to staying in touch while at sea, but some choices are better than others, according to a new report from Global Marine Networks (GMN), called Staying In Touch Offshore: Global Marine Networks’ Guide To Blue Water Cruising Communications. “The changes we are seeing in communications technologies everywhere are affecting boaters, and particularly those who spend time cruising in blue waters,” said Dr. Luis Soltero, Chief Technology Officer of Global Marine Networks.

United States Coast Guard Assistant Commandant for Marine Safety, Security and Stewardship Marine Safety Alert 07-11 December 14, 2011 Washington, DC. Listen & Live / Develop & Follow Smart Safety Procedures.This alert reminds all maritime personnel of the dangers associated with working around or near moving machinery. A recent marine casualty resulted in a death onboard a Great Lakes ore carrier. Two crewmembers had been working on clearing the vessel's sump pump bilge piping within a cargo conveyor belt tunnel. The piping ran vertically along the bulkhead adjacent to the conveyor belt.

The National Marine Electronics Association (NMEA) introduced a stanrdized methodology clarifying and outlining the appropriate standards for installing marine electronics equipment, the NMEA Installation Standards. The Standards have been designed primarily for after-market installation that traditionally occurs at either boat dealers or marine electronics specialty shops. Over the last 20 years, the marine electronics market has exploded with new safety devices and other equipment. However, different from than some years ago, many retail outlets lack the expertise and manpower to install such equipment properly, which is why the NMEA developed these installation standards. The primary focus for these standards is electronics for boats ranging in size from 25 to 150 ft.

New York City rolled out the red carpet to welcome Norwegian Cruise Line's (NCL) latest addition to its fleet. In December, NCL debuted the 92,250-ton Norwegian Dawn, with NYC style reminiscent of the ship's new homeport. The christening ceremony aptly included a celebration amidst a few celebrities, a taste of Broadway and entertainment that truly characterize the Big Apple. "Size does matter," said actress Kim Cattrall, who was chosen to serve as the Norwegian Dawn's godmother. The 'Sex and the City' star entertained the crowd at the christening ceremony during the official naming of the ship and pronounced the Norwegian Dawn the biggest ship in NYC.