Peter Broadhurst (Inmarsat Maritime): “The launch of Fleet Safety marks a turning point in the way satellite communications ensure the preservation of life at sea”
Inmarsat has modernised its maritime safety communications by introducing Fleet Safety following successful sea trials
Fleet Safety, the successor to Inmarsat C for the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS), was granted IMO approval following an assessment by the International Mobile Satellite Organisation. This is a proactive approach to safety communications based on performance, advanced functionality and intuitive user interfaces.
As part of the modernisation programme, Inmarsat launched RescueNet and SafetyNet II, updated documentation and created training material to ensure the maritime industry is ready for the new safety service.
Inmarsat has added Fleet Poll, a new data reporting service for long-range identification and tracking, vessel monitoring systems and asset tracking, as well as for the ship security alert system.
The next stage is to gain approval from flag states and have it adopted across the maritime industry.
“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 Inmarsat Maritime senior vice president of safety and regulatory services Peter Broadhurst.
“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,” he said.
“The launch of Fleet Safety marks a turning point in the way satellite communications ensure the preservation of life at sea.”
Fleet Safety is delivered via FleetBroadband or Fleet One voice and data services with the addition of a maritime safety terminal. Its new interface is optimised for usability, making it easier for seafarers to access critical functionality and communicate with Maritime Rescue Coordination Centres (MRCCs) in an emergency.
A network of more than 60 global MRCCs can be contacted by voice or instant messaging at the touch of a button, in seconds.
Fleet Safety also includes an interface for Maritime Safety Information (MSI) and a distress chat function. The MSI feature enables users to control the stream of MSI broadcasts and download historic broadcasts, which include meteorological, navigational and search-and-rescue warnings. Distress chat helps to create chat rooms between ships in distress, assisting vessels and MRCCs for quicker response and resolution times.
Inmarsat has also invested in training seafarers, to help them realise the solution’s full potential. Going above and beyond user instruction, the approach aims to educate crews on the importance of being proactive in 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 Mr 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.”
Inmarsat was founded in 1979 by IMO to establish a satellite communications network for protecting the lives of seafarers.
Inmarsat C was launched in 1991 and became the first satellite service to meet the stringent requirements of IMO’s GMDSS – a set of marine safety procedures that Inmarsat helped to define – for ship security alert systems.
