Communications Center News

Harley Marine Services recently installed an 8 by 6 meter industrial grade LCD screen in the communication center at the new Harley and Lela Franco Maritime Center in Seattle, WA. This state-of-the-art media wall provides a direct portal for Harley Marine’s consolidated dispatch team to access real-time technology systems from both shore and vessel operations. The communication center is specifically designed to keep the dispatch team better informed with unprecedented access to information. Collected data is transformed into straightforward, easy to read visual aids, giving dispatchers and management an overview of the entire operation. Powered by a modern super-computer, the system is capable of displaying up to (16) different video inputs and over 1,000 different screen configurations.

The U.S. Coast Guard said it rescued three people from the water after their boat caught fire near Shinnecock, N.Y., Sunday. A good samaritan contacted the communications center at Coast Guard Sector Long Island Sound reporting a vessel on fire near the Shinnecock Inlet. A rescue boatcrew from Coast Guard Station Shinnecock and the South Hampton Bay Constables responded. The fire engulfed the 36-foot cabin cruiser and the three people abandoned the vessel into the water to swim to their deployed life raft.

The U.S. Coast Guard is responding to a disabled vessel approximately 86 miles south east of Montauk, N.Y., today. Coast Guard Sector Long Island Sound communication watchstanders, in New Haven, Conn., received notification from a good samaritan vessel relaying communications for the disabled vessel Endorphin, a 58-foot commercial fishing homeported in Montauk, N.Y., that the disabled vessel reported they were adrift and without power, nearly 86 miles offshore with three crewmembers aboard.

Orlando, Florida-based, Comtech Systems, has received a US$2.4-million contract to install the world’s first digital over-the-horizon microwave communications system, to be used on a deep water tension-leg oil platform for a major international oil company. The design of this system was first developed by Comtech Systems, Inc. for a semi-submersible platform in 2008 and was recently deployed in the South China Sea in the summer of 2013. These systems are unique for troposcatter communications because they require a stabilized antenna system on the offshore floating platform able to keep locked to a fixed antenna at a shore location in a variety of sea states…

MTN grants Lifetime Achievement Award to pioneer of broadband communications at sea, Richard Hadsall. The CEO and president of MTN Satellite Communications (MTN), Errol Olivier resently made the award at the company's Town Hall. Richard Hadsall , chief technology officer of MTN Government Services, pioneered the first C-band and Ku-band satellite broadband communications (TV, voice and data) at sea in the 1980s. Thanks to Hadsall's innovation, today MTN delivers critical satellite and terrestrial communications to most of the world's cruise lines.

A crew communications survey carried out by Astrium Services reveals that a growing number of seafarers see on board Wi-Fi connectivity as essential in order to use their own smartphones, tablets and laptops aboard ships. Social media, especially Facebook was highlighted as one of the most popular web destinations for crews whilst it was also revealed that many seafarers are prepared to pay for connectivity. The Crew Communications 2012 Survey, which was commissioned by Astrium Services to fill the market gap in up-to-date data on crew communications requirements and supported by consultants Stark Moore McMillan, questioned 960 Filipino seafarers during Q3 & Q4 2012. 12% of those surveyed were officers and 88% were general crew.

The U.S. Coast Guard formally accepted and introduced its new Rescue 21 advanced communications system at Group Humboldt Bay on Feb. 16. This new capability, which will eventually be introduced nationwide, increases the ability of Coast Guard men and women to execute all of their missions, especially their search and rescue mission, with greater agility and efficiency. The Feb. 16 ceremony included speeches from senior, local, and national Coast Guard officials. Rescue 21 is an advanced command…

KVH Industries, Inc., (Nasdaq: KVHI) announced a new promotion at the Palm Beach Boat Show in West Palm Beach, FL that will allow boaters to save money while putting satellite communications on their vessels. The promotion offers a $1,000 airtime credit to customers who purchase a new TracPhone 252 satellite communications system through June 30, 2009, and activate their Inmarsat mini-M service using Inmarsat Airtime by KVH. The TracPhone 252 offers a single-cable, self-contained design. This system also allows the user to simultaneously connect telephone/PABX systems, fax machines, and computers to create a versatile onboard communications center. And with Inmarsat’s near-global mini-M satellite coverage, reliable, high-quality telephone service is always available. (www.kvh.com)

The Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Pacific awarded Watts Constructors, LLC, of , a $46.9 million, firm-fixed-price contract on March 5 for construction of a new communications center at Naval Computer and Telecommunications Area Master Station (NCTAMS) Pacific. The work includes construction of a new single-story, steel framed building that will be equipped with raised floors, moveable interior walls, fire-suppression system, conference rooms, and emergency electrical power. Supporting facilities work will include a parking lot, sidewalks, landscaping, fencing and lighting. "Four years of hard work by the NCTAMS PAC staff…

A Coast Guard helicopter crew assisted the crew of a vessel that was taking on water after it ran aground in Alitak Bay, about 60 miles southeast of Kodiak. The crew of the 86-ft. fishing tender Chichagof made a radio distress call at about 5:30 a.m. reporting the accident. The Coast Guard communications center in Kodiak issued an urgent marine assistance broadcast asking mariners in the area to assist. Two Good Samaritan fishing vessels responded to the call. An HH-60 Jayhawk helicopter and crew, with two dewatering pumps on board, departed Kodiak at about 6 a.m. Low-lying, thick fog hampered the helicopter crew locating the Chichagof when they arrived in Alitak Bay but was able to locate the stricken vessel within minutes.

Globe Wireless announced that its Board of Directors has elected Frank Coles as its president and chief operating officer. Coles is a master mariner and holds a Master’s Degree in maritime law. As a qualified English solicitor, Coles practiced shipping law in London with Richards Butler and in Hong Kong with Stephenson Harwood & Lo. He moved on to become general manager of Pacific basin Bulk Shipping in Hong Kong, and spent two years as Chief Executive Officer on Rydex Industries Corporation, a company focusing on marine communications. Before joining globe Wireless, Coles was with Litton Marine Systems, serving as vice president, business development and information technology. Coles has been the managing director of globe Wireless for the last two years.

Iridium Satellite LLC announced the availability of crew calling services for the maritime industry. Iridium's crew calling solution simultaneously supports pre-paid calling for individual crew members and subscription services for a vessel's official communications. Iridium's new crew calling program allows vessel owners and operators to provide both official and personal communications from a single phone. Vessel operators can provide pre-paid scratch cards to individual crew members to allow for personal calling. For official business, the captain and crew can use the same phone for subscription-based calls. Beginning immediately, Iridium will offer the new crew calling services through its global network of service providers.

This two week course is designed for E5 and above, or E4 personnel who have taken the Store keeper basic course. The course will assist Storekeepers in regaining skills that may not have been practiced during drill weekend due to non-availability of training platform. Designed for E5 and above, and E4 who have taken the Yeoman (Basic). The purpose of the course is to provide students at the E5/E6 level with training that will refresh their basic Yeoman skills and introduce them to materials specific to the requirements for the next Advancement examination. By providing organized and intensive training, students can make practical application of current Navy administrative concepts and procedures under limited supervision.

Coast Guard Commandant Admiral Thad Allen, U.S. Customs and Border Protection Deputy Commissioner Jayson Ahern, U.S. Navy Commander Submarine Group Trident, Rear Admiral Frank Drennan, and other dignitaries will be in attendance Wednesday at 10 a.m. for the Coast Guard Joint Harbor Operation Center (JHOC) ribbon cutting ceremony at Pier 36 here. The ceremony recognizes officially the operation of the JHOC. The JHOC is the home for Sector Seattle's Command Center, Communications Center and Vessel Traffic Center. The JHOC will be the premiere state-of-the-art maritime Command Center for the Pacific Northwest partnering Coast Guard with Navy…

A system touted as the first fully integrated workboat management system — dubbed GlobeOffshore — was recently unveiled by Globe Wireless at the International Workboat Show in New Orleans. GlobeOffshore is designed to act as a decision support tool helping to improve vessel utilization, streamline operational and strategic decisions and maximize vessel efficiency. Onboard, the GlobeOffshore log captures all types of information — cargo, operational, crew & passenger, as well as position. The data is then made available to the boat owner or charterer on the Internet. The system is set-up to allow managers, both operational and strategic, to track fleet and produce timely reports on vessel activities, cargo transfers, engine maintenance, crew schedules and charge allocation.

Globe Wireless released its Globe Communications Center (GCC), designed to streamline onboard messaging and data file transfers for commercial marine vessels. The GCC, which produces a cost-effective way of sending all communications from one source, is simply formatted for ease-of-use. The GCC routes communications through the Maritime Data Network, as well as through satellite systems through an advanced protocol developed by Marinet Systems, who recently merged with Globe Wireless. The GCC provides maritime users with the lowest-cost methods of delivering their electronic mail and data files as they prepare to send them. Depending upon the size and priority of the message…

Globe Wireless released its Globe Communications Center (GCC), designed to streamline onboard messaging and data file transfers for commercial marine vessels. The GCC, which produces a cost-effective way of sending all communications from one source, is simply formatted for ease-of-use. The GCC routes communications through the Maritime Data Network, as well as through satellite systems through an advanced protocol developed by Marinet Systems, who recently merged with Globe Wireless. The GCC provides maritime users with the lowest-cost methods of delivering their electronic mail and data files as they prepare to send them. Depending upon the size and priority of the message…

For more than 175 years, Columbian Rope Company has continued to be a driving force and a leader in the rope and cordage industry. During Columbian's existence, a goal of excellence has been achieved, as evidenced by the rate of repeat clients, who continue to inquire about Columbian's products. With four locations (two in the U.S. and two in Mexico), Columbian Rope enhanced its product base when earlier this year, it became a member of Chicago-based Unicord International — a member of the Unicord Companies. How Did This All Start? In 1903, Edwin Metcalf, a preacher's son with entrepreneurial ambitions, left Massachusetts for Auburn, N.Y. Throughout his travels Metcalf managed to purchase the Osborne Implement Co., an 80-year-old manufacturer of Farm Implements and Bailer Twine.