Marine Link
Thursday, March 28, 2024
SUBSCRIBE

Satellite Phone News

16 Dec 2021

USMMA Set to Resume at Sea Training

File photo: Two students from the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy train aboard the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Benfold in 2016. (Photo: Leigh Ellis / U.S. Navy)

Students from the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA) are set to resume at sea training with new safety measures in place following a temporary pause due to sexual assault and harassment concerns. The U.S. federal maritime academy’s Sea Year training program, which typically consists of a sailing period during a cadet’s sophomore year and a longer sailing period during a cadet’s junior year, was put on hold in early November as lawmakers and the U.S. Department of Transportation…

27 Jul 2021

U.S. Coast Guard Rescues 15 Mariners aboard Disabled Yacht off Hawaii

Coast Guard crews rescued 15 mariners aboard the disabled 72-foot sailing vessel Lucky, 26-miles east of Makapu’u Point, Oahu, July 24, 2021. The Lucky was adrift due to a disabled rudder and crews aboard the Coast Guard Cutter Oliver Berry (WPC 1124) and a Station Honolulu 45-foot Response Boat-Medium successfully towed the vessel to Honolulu Harbor. (U.S. Coast Guard photo courtesy of the Coast Guard Cutter Oliver Berry/Released)

U.S. Coast Guard rescued 15 mariners aboard the disabled 72-foot sailing vessel Lucky, 26-miles east of Makapu’u Point, Oahu, Hawaii, Saturday.The Lucky was adrift due to a disabled rudder and crews aboard the Coast Guard Cutter Oliver Berry (WPC 1124) and a Station Honolulu 45-foot Response Boat-Medium towed the vessel to Honolulu Harbor.“With any towing evolution there is risk involved," said Ensign Michael Meisenger, the operations officer aboard the Oliver Berry vessel.“Our crew trains constantly to ensure we are prepared when called upon. Last night that training paid off.

16 Jun 2021

Dongara Marine Delivers Its First Rescue RIB

(Photo: Dongara Marine)

The first newbuild rigid inflatable boat (RIB) built by Dongara Marine has entered into service, heralding a raft of government and RIB contracts for the Western Australian boatbuilder.The newbuild, Cape Rose, was completed at the end of last year and has been operating for Marine Rescue Shark Bay since delivery to Denham in early in 2021. It has replaced a response vessel that had serviced the Western Australia (WA) coastline for more than 20 years, both with the group and previously…

22 Feb 2019

CG Rescues Man 170 miles off FL Coast

Photo: U.S. Coast Guard District 7

The Coast Guard rescued a 57-year-old man Thursday 170 miles west of St. Petersburg.Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg command center watchstanders received a call via satellite phone at 1:24 p.m. from the master of the Mariya Moran, a 120-foot tug, stating a crew member was suffering from chest pains and was in need of medical attention.A Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew and an HC-130 Hercules airplane crew launched to assist and arrived at 4 p.m.The…

28 Mar 2018

Injured Mariner Medevaced from Cargo Ship off Key West

An injured crew member was medevaced from a cargo ship approximately 20 miles south of Key West, Fla. on Tuesday.   The U.S. Coast Guard said it received a satellite phone call at approximately noon from the crew of the 482-foot cargo vessel Sanna reporting the man needed further medical care for a wound sustained to his arm.   A Coast Guard helicopter crew arrived on scene at 4:57 p.m., hoisted the injured crewmember and transported him to awaiting emergency medical services at Key West International Airport for further medical care.

17 Nov 2017

Retlif: Ensuring the Future Today

(Photo: Retlif Testing Laboratories)

Ensuring the future today . . . by supporting the U.S. Ensuring the future is an essential part of what a testing laboratory is all about. In fact, that concept underlies every EMC test and all the torturous Environmental Simulation testing that products undergo en route to compliance. Retlif Testing Laboratories, a leading independent EMC and Environmental Simulation testing organization founded in 1978, ensures the future beyond products…with people…from the ground up…with their firm commitment to sponsorship of the U.S. Naval Sea Cadets. The U.S. Naval Sea Cadets program is a vital one.

18 Oct 2017

Italy Breaks up Libyan Fuel Smuggling Ring

Sicilian police on Wednesday sought the arrest of nine people, including a suspected mobster, for running a Libyan fuel-smuggling ring in which at least 30 million euros ($35 million) of diesel was sold in gas stations in Italy and Europe. A Libyan, nicknamed the "boss", used small boats to steal fuel from a refinery in Zawiya, a port city west of Tripoli, a statement from the finance police said. The fuel, stolen from Libya's National Oil Corporation (NOC), was then transferred to a larger ship off the coast of Malta and brought to Italy. Police from the Sicilian city of Catania "documented in detail 30 voyages in which more than 80 million kilos of diesel fuel was imported," the statement said.

31 Aug 2017

Sailing Ships: Ship of the Future?

The Quadriga sustainable shipping project – an initiative from Hamburg-based Sailing Cargo, aims to build the world’s biggest sailing cargo ship. (Image: Lloyd's Register)

For as long as there has been a need to transport cargo there has been a maritime industry. Throughout that history both owners and mariners have worked to devise ways of saving costs, making faster transits, and carrying more cargo. In 1819 the Steam Ship Savannah made maritime history by being the first steamship to cross the Atlantic Ocean, sounding eight bells for the traditional cargo carrying tall ship. Although that eight bell sounded for quite some time, the future of shipping arrived with Savannah. In 1911 M.S.

14 Jul 2016

UK Convicts Captain, First Mate of Drug Trafficking

(Photo: NCA)

The captain and first officer of an ocean going tug boat have been found guilty of drug trafficking following the biggest ever U.K. seizure of class A drugs, the country’s National Crime Agency (NCA) announced. The cocaine, worth an estimated potential street value of £512 million once adulterated, was found hidden aboard the Tanzanian flagged MV Hamal in April 2015. The vessel had been intercepted by the Royal Navy destroyer HMS Somerset and Border Force cutter HMC Valiant in the North Sea approximately 100 miles off the coast of Aberdeenshire.

14 Jun 2016

Wicked Tuna Captain Relies on Globalstar

Captain Dave Carraro, fisherman and competitor on the television show Wicked Tuna (Photo: Globalstar)

When it comes to fishing, Captain Dave Carraro of FV Tuna.com knows a thing or two, having run a successful charter business for the past 37 years, and is now a leading competitor and previous winner of the television show Wicked Tuna. Carraro keeps a busy schedule off land, even flying as a pilot for JetBlue when he isn’t fishing. “Sometimes we are out on the water for four to five days in a row, fishing around the clock, which can be very strenuous, both physically and mentally.

13 Apr 2016

RedPort XGate Now Includes PredictWind Weather Service

Newly available version of RedPort XGate satellite email and data services suite now includes PredictWind weather forecasting service, letting users select, download and view marine weather forecasts over satellite and cellular networks. RedPort Global announced the immediate availability of a new version of XGate, now including the PredictWind Offshore weather-forecasting app. XGate is an independent satellite data acceleration service letting people easily and affordably access accelerated email, web, weather data, social media and blogging wherever they go. PredictWind Offshore allows users to download and immediately view GRIB files, weather routes, GMDSS Text forecasts and Satellite Imagery.

26 Feb 2016

Coast Guard to Be Honored in New Orleans

The Coast Guard Foundation, a nonprofit organization committed to the education and welfare of Coast Guard members and their families, announced today the details of its Annual Tribute to the 8th Coast Guard District. To be held on Friday, March 4 in New Orleans, Coast Guard Sector Mobile will be honored at the event for their skill and leadership in organizing a mass search and rescue operation on April 25, 2015. An unforeseen storm on that day struck Mobile Bay and nearby Mississippi Sound with tropical force winds and waves, grounding a 600-foot tanker and impacting the 117 sailboats participating in a race. In total, more than 470 sailors and crew were in the Bay that afternoon as the storm whipped up with little warning, creating a chaotic scene as competitors scrambled to react.

26 Oct 2015

BCG Releases Fleet77 Emulation

Image: BCG

Buffalo Computer Graphics (BCG) Inc. has launched a new Fleet77 Satellite Phone and E-mail Application. BCG said the recently created software will be incorporated into its Virtual Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (VGMDSS) simulator to better mirror existing systems that are in use around the world. Using Sailor’s Fleet77 as a basis for the emulation, BCG engineers created a realistic satellite phone that mirrors the functionality of the actual unit. Users are able to select their operating region…

20 Oct 2015

NTSB: El Faro Investigation Continues

NTSB Issues Update on Investigation Into Sinking of Cargo Ship El Faro. On February 13, 2015, El Faro successfully completed the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) class and statutory surveys, meeting all rules and regulations as applicable. All deficiencies identified were rectified prior to completion of the surveys. None of the deficiencies were associated with El Faro’s main propulsion systems. The annual inspection of El Faro, required by the United States Coast Guard (USCG), was completed by qualified USCG inspectors in San Juan, Puerto Rico, on March 6, 2015. In June 2015, a qualified ABS surveyor examined and tested the main, auxiliary and emergency systems as part of the continuous machinery survey program and found them to be satisfactory.

04 Oct 2015

Debris Appears to Belong to Cargo Ship Missing in Bahamas

Search and rescue teams on Sunday located debris which appeared to belong to the cargo ship El Faro that went missing in the eye of Hurricane Joaquin with 33 mostly American crew members aboard, the U.S. Coast Guard and the ship's owner said. Life jackets, containers and an oil sheen were spotted by U.S. Coast Guard aircrews flying over the Bahamas on the third day of their search for the container ship. There had been no sighting of the El Faro or any life boats, Tote Maritime Puerto Rico president, Tim Nolan, said in a statement. "Our thoughts and prayers remain with the 33 individuals aboard the ship and their families," he added.

08 Jul 2015

UK Rowers Rescued - Again

Two Englishmen - one an epileptic with head injuries - attempting to break the world record for rowing across the Indian Ocean as a duo have been rescued for a second time. The rescue mission came after a seemingly bizarre chain of communication attempts from adventurer James Ketchell and friend Ashley Wilson. On their first attempt, in May, they had to abort their bid to row from Geraldton in Western Australia to Port Louis in Mauritius just one day into the journey after electronic guidance systems failed. The pair set off again on Friday, but has run into bad weather about 175km west of Kalbarri, forcing them to activate their emergency personal location beacon about 8am on Wednesday.

03 May 2015

Thuraya Debuts Most Advanced Satellite Phone

Thuraya Telecommunications Company today launched the industry's most advanced satellite phone, the Thuraya XT-PRO. Targeted at professional users across a range of market sectors including government, energy, media and NGOs, the Thuraya XT-PRO is the only satellite phone to feature built-in GPS, BeiDou and Glonass for highest accuracy and added security in every region. The Thuraya XT-PRO has a talk-time of up to 9 hours, which is the longest on any satellite phone. It is jet-water, dust and shock resistant, ensuring it withstands the harshest environments. Its hardened Gorilla® glass display is the largest available on a satellite phone; and the screen is designed for glare resistance, which allows for optimal visibility in bright sunlight.

12 Apr 2015

Italy Rescues 1,000 migrants at Sea, One Dies

Italian and merchant ships rescued around 1,000 migrants from three overcrowded skiffs near the coast of Libya and found one dead body, Italy's coast guard said. The migrants sent out a distress call by satellite phone on Friday and were being taken to ports in Sicily, the coast guard added in a statement, without giving details of their nationalities. Two other inflatable boats carrying 73 people -- identified as Syrians, Kurds and Somalis -- were intercepted by police off the Italian coast near Puglia, according to a separate statement from the police. Two Albanian smugglers were arrested in the operation. Refugees and migrants from the Middle East and Africa regularly risk the hazardous journey across the Mediterranean, often between Libya and Sicily, to reach the European Union.

23 May 2014

Three Sailors Rescued 350 Miles off Virginia

The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) said it coordinated the rescue of three people Thursday who were rescued by good Samaritans after their 41-foot sailboat, the Elusive, was beset by storms in the Atlantic Ocean, approximately 350 miles east of Virginia Beach. Rescued are Larry Monesson, 60, Sean Monesoon, 40, and James Moore, 40. The father of James Moore contacted Coast Guard 5th District Command Center watchstanders at approximately 1 a.m. Thursday reporting he received a message via satellite phone from his son. The message stated the crew of the Elusive were experiencing high winds, 25-foot ocean swells and engine failure, but were attempting to repair the engine and not requesting assistance at the time.

17 Jul 2014

RCCNZ Praised for Missing Schooner Search Effort

The search for the missing schooner 'Nina' by the Rescue Coordination Centre New Zealand (RCCNZ) in June-July 2013 went beyond what many overseas authorities would have conducted, an independent reviewer has found. RCCNZ explain that David Baird, former General Manager of the Australian Maritime Safety Authority’s Emergency Response Division, conducted the independent review at the request of Maritime New Zealand Director Keith Manch. The reviewer found: “In many areas RCCNZ went well beyond the requirements of the SAR Convention and its Standard Operating Procedures, demonstrating conviction, compassion and determination to achieve a satisfactory result.

02 Oct 2014

Recipitents of Australian Search and Rescue Awards

Five Tasmania Police officers will be recognised for their outstanding contribution to search and rescue tonight at this year’s Australian Search and Rescue Awards in Sydney. Since 1996, the National Search and Rescue Council, which is made up of representatives from the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA), Australian Defence Force and state and territory police services, has presented the Australian Search and Rescue Award to those who have made a significant contribution to Australia’s search and rescue ability or saving of a human life. The winning officers were involved in the rescue of three fishermen off Tasmania’s south west coast on 3 January 2014 in extreme weather conditions.

09 Apr 2014

Rescued Family Returns Safely aboard Navy Ship

A family of four rescued from their sailboat after their infant daughter became seriously ill at sea returned safely to San Diego on Wednesday aboard a U.S. warship that picked them up in the Pacific over the weekend, a Navy spokeswoman said. The parents, Eric and Charlotte Kaufman, and their two daughters, 3-year-old Cora and 1-year-old Lyra, left the Navy frigate Vandegrift after the ship arrived in port around 10 a.m. local time and proceeded to their family doctor, according to Lieutenant Lenaya Rotklein of the Third Fleet. Rotklein declined to give any further information about the arrival of the Kaufmans at Naval Air Station North Island on San Diego Bay except to say all four family members were "stable when they departed" and were met at the port by relatives.

03 Feb 2015

Enhanced VoIP Service for Mini-VSAT Broadband Network

Photo courtesy: KVH I

KVH Industries, Inc., (KVHI) has rolled out a new dedicated voice configuration for its mini-VSAT Broadband(SM) global maritime satellite network. The network's Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) service is now delivered on a prioritized and protected data stream, separate from the network's overall broadband data traffic. VoIP service is also prioritized onboard the vessel for quality VoIP service even during times of heaviest broadband data use. By prioritizing phone service…