Satellite Phone

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

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.

KVH Extends Satcom Choices with TracPhone Fleet One

KVH Industries, Inc. (KVHI) announced the introduction of the TracPhone Fleet One marine satellite communications antenna system, a 28 cm diameter unit designed for vessels needing global satellite phone service and basic satellite Internet access. The TracPhone Fleet One complements KVH’s other Inmarsat-based offerings in the FleetBroadband family and its own TracPhone product line for mini-VSAT Broadband service. Utilizing Inmarsat’s airtime service, the TracPhone Fleet One offers satellite phone service everywhere at sea except the polar regions…

Enhanced VoIP Service for Mini-VSAT Broadband Network

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…

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…

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…

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.

Family Rescued by U.S. Navy Heading Home

A family of four rescued from their sailboat after the youngest of two children became seriously ill are due to return to California on Wednesday aboard a U.S. warship that picked them up over the weekend, Navy and Coast Guard officials said. Military officials declined on Monday to give any details on the medical condition of 1-year-old Lyra Kaufman except to say that she, her 3-year-old sister, Cora, and their parents, Eric and Charlotte Kaufman, were all safe as they headed back to port in San Diego.

Canadian Completes Solo Atlantic Row, With Just a Little Help

Quebec rower Mylène Paquette has arrived in Lorient, France, after a  voyage across the Atlantic Ocean, the first North American to row solo, from west to east, across the North Atlantic, reports CBC News. Mylène left Halifax just over four months ago in a specially designed 7.3 metre boat propelled only by herself and the currents. Earlier in her voyage, In September 2013, the lone rower got a helping hand from the cruise ship Queen Mary 2, after being hit by the remnants of Hurricane Humberto, losing key items including her anchor, iPhone and satellite phone.

Yacht Rescue Involves Cutter in Long Tow

The Coast Guard cutter 'Block Island' has completed a 150 miles tow over a 32-hour period of the disabled 54-foot yacht 'Zulu' with 3 persons on board during bad weather off the coast of North Carolina. The captain aboard the Zulu initially contacted Coast Guard Sector North Carolina watch-standers via satellite phone to report that the sailboat was disabled and adrift with three people aboard approximately 100 miles east of Oregon Inlet, N.C. In early course the Coast Guard Cutter Block Island arrived on scene…

Inmarsat Selected SatCom Provider for Next Volvo Ocean Race

Inmarsat has been selected as official Satellite Communications Partner of the Volvo Ocean Race 2014-15, providing global communications for the fourth consecutive edition. The 2014-15 marathon will be the most digitally connected around-the-world race in history, featuring the first purpose-built, one-design racing boat geared to deliver 24/7 satellite communications to an audience of tens of millions. Inmarsat’s award-winning I-4 global satellite network will be responsible for delivering safety services…