By
Alex Smith |
Inmarsat has launched its new Fleet Safety solution for maritime safety communication, following the successful conclusion of sea trials.
Fleet Safety was granted International Maritime Organization approval under Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) requirements following the assessment by the International Mobile Satellite Organisation (IMSO).
Inmarsat has updated documentation and created training material to allow members of the industry to prepare for the new safety service. It has also added Fleet Poll, a new data reporting service for long range identification tracking, vessel monitoring systems and asset tracking, as well as ships security alert system. The next stage for the company is to gain flag state approval for adoption across the maritime industry.
The new system will replace Inmarsat’s existing solution, Inmarsat C.
“To this day, Inmarsat C forms the backbone of the GMDSS, with more than 100,000 marine terminals having safeguarded the lives of seafarers for over 30 years,” said Peter Broadhurst, senior vice president of safety and regulatory at Inmarsat Maritime. “However, as we move further into the digital era of shipping, technology can be used for enhanced safety and also provides new ways of tackling emerging challenges. The launch of Fleet Safety marks a turning point in the way satellite communications ensure the preservation of life at sea.”
Fleet Safety will be delivered via existing FleetBroadband or Fleet One voice and data services with the addition of a maritime safety terminal. Its new interface is designed to enable seafarers to access critical functions and communicate with a network of over 60 global maritime rescue coordination centres (MRCCs) in an emergency within seconds.
The solution also includes a new Maritime Safety Information (MSI) interface which will allow users to control the stream of MSI broadcasts and download historic broadcasts, which include meteorological, navigational, and search-and-rescue warnings. A distress chat function will enable the creation of chat rooms between ships in distress, assisting vessels and MRCCs for quicker response times.
Inmarsat has also invested in training resources to help seafarers make use to the solution’s capabilities. These resources also provide education of the importance of a proactive approach to maritime distress communications.
“In a precarious situation, notifying rescue authorities early can prove pivotal in saving the ship and, more importantly, the lives of the crew on board,” said Broadhurst. “Seafarers will generally do their utmost to rectify an issue before requesting assistance, but Inmarsat’s Fleet Safety facilitates a culture for personnel to report situations early, rather than wait until events get beyond their control.”
Learn more about the Fleet Safety solution in our exclusive interview with Peter Broadhurst in the Autumn/Winter issue of Cruise & Ferry Review