Communications System

Marlink and SES Ink O3b mPOWER Deal

Marlink and SES have signed a multi-year, multi-million-euro deal enabling Marlink’s customers to access SES’s next-generation medium earth orbit constellation (MEO) -- O3b mPOWER.Under the agreement, Marlink will offer the high-throughput and low-latency O3b mPOWER dedicated connectivity services to its customers with data-intensive requirements. These include its humanitarian, energy, enterprise, mining, government, maritime and OmniAccess’ superyacht customers who require robust…

KVH Unveils New LTE System for Offshore Internet Access

Satellite communications provider KVH Industries, Inc. announced it is introducing an all-in-one solution for boaters looking for higher data speeds and greater Internet range offshore than what the average cellphone can provide.The new TracPhone LTE-1 marine communications system is designed to provide Internet access in U.S. waters more than 20 miles offshore, with data download speeds up to 100 Mbps. The LTE-A (LTE Advanced) system is compact and affordable enough for a vast…

Raymarine Launches New AIS Transceiver

Raymarine, a brand by FLIR systems, has announced the launch of its new Automatic Identification System (AIS) transceiver featuring an integrated antenna splitter. The new Raymarine AIS700 Class B transceiver enables boat owners to share the same antenna with their onboard VHF equipment making installation much easier, tidier and less expensive. Delivering the best-in-class performance, the AIS700 uses the latest networking technologies for faster updating, increased bandwidth and better range.

Side-Power Stabilizers for Ocean Alexander 70e

IMTRA, a manufacturer and importer of marine products, announced  that, through its partnership with Merritt Island Boat Works, the Ocean Alexander 70e will be the first production yacht in the U.S. to use the new Side-Power Vector Fins Stabilizer System. Traditional boat stabilizers are designed to reduce roll when a vessel is underway or at anchor. Side-Power Stabilizer Systems successfully provide dramatic role reduction that delivers the stable platform boaters want, without locking the boat into a fixed plane. Side-Power’s Vector Fins allow a vessel to bank naturally through a turn while keeping roll to a minimum…

e3 Systems Launches HYBRID

e3 Systems has just announced the US launch of HYBRID. HYBRID provides all mega yachts with 100% connectivity, combining satellite, 3G, 4G and terrestrial broadband services, thus ensuring the fastest possible service at the lowest possible rate, whether in port, offshore or mid-ocean. Roger Horner, Group Managing Director for e3 Systems, commenting on the launch of HYBRID, says, “Our clients all want 100% connectivity. Over the last 20 years we have got closer, step by step, as new services have matured. After initially developing it for Europe we are now pleased to launch HYBRID in the USA.

Spanish Boat Wins Leg of Ocean Race

Spanish boat Mapfre has claimed victory in the Auckland leg of the of the round-the-world Volvo Ocean Race from Sanya, China, to Auckland. The Alicante-based yacht Mapfre edged out Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing - skippered by Briton Ian Walker - by just four minutes 25 seconds. The round-the-world challenge, in its 41st year, covers 38,790 nautical miles. The fourth, 5,264-nautical-mile leg of nine in the race, from Sanya on the southernmost tip of China to Auckland, New Zealand, has taken more than 20 days since setting out on February 8. Abu Dhabi leads the overall standings from Chinese crew Dongfeng Race Team.

Buzz Marine Adds Switchbox to HubbaX

UK based Buzz Marine, the suppliers of HubbaX mobile broadband for maritime applications, has developed a new system for its mini dome to allow automatic switch from a vessel’s VSAT communications system to its land-based mobile system on which the HubbaX operates. The changeover is delivered through an intelligent ‘switchbox’ which prefers the 3G signal, when no 3G signal is available VSAT connection continues. With the signal strength benefits of the HubbaX (up to four times more powerful and more stable than a mobile phone) connection can be achieved up to 20 miles offshore…