Portable Pilot Units (PPUs) at Work in european Ports

01 Jun 2003

The pilot organisations of various European countries, united in the European Maritime Pilot Association (EMPA), are aware that they face a fast changing environment of competition and computer technology which requires a quick, clear and effective answer to the challenges of the future. EMPA represents 4,700 pilots in 21 European countries. 

New Dual Channel NAVTEX Receiver From McMurdo

01 Jun 2003

McMurdo, manufacturer of the ICS brand of NAVTEX receivers, has launched a new entry level dual-channel NAVTEX receiver called the ICS NAV6dual, a paperless model that displays weather and navigation warning information on a large, easy to read LCD screen. 

Versatile Buoy Tender Gets NavComms Package

01 Jun 2003

A new buoy tender under build at the Schelde Naval Shipbuilding yard in the Netherlands for the Middle East Navigation Aids Service (MENAS) will feature a complete suite of bridge electronics supplied by Sperry Marine. 

VTS Coastal Surveillance System for Kuwait

01 Jun 2003

STN Atlas Elektronik has been awarded a major contract to supply the Kuwaiti National Coast Guard with a new purpose-designed radar based coastal surveillance system due to begin service in 2005. 

UKHO’s List of Lights Gets Digital Launch

01 Jun 2003

The United Kingdom Hydrographic Office (UKHO) launched its new Admiralty Digital List of Lights at Norshipping in Oslo earlier this month. Developed with the professional mariner in mind and supplying details of more than 70,000 navigational lights worldwide on one CD, it uses exactly the same official data as its paper counterpart. 

DP Loss of Position Incidents Report Triggers Review

01 Jun 2003

Computers, particularly on vessels with integrated control systems, are seen as an increasingly common cause of dynamic positioning (DP) loss of position incidents. The International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) has recently published its 22nd consecutive annual Station Keeping Incidents report, covering incidents that took place in 2001. Of the 21 serious (Position Loss 1) incidents covered in the report, the DP operator was only the primary cause of three although a case could be made to show operator error was a factor in many more. 

Remote Use Antenna Takes Work Anywhere

01 Jun 2003

With business now being carried out in more places around the world and work patterns demanding fast, efficient electronic communication any time, anywhere, Inmarsat has developed a new Regional Broadband, Global Area Network (BGAN) solution consisting of a lightweight satellite IP modem which provides high speed connectivity running at up to 144kbit/s via a secure shared channel. 

Compact VHF Handheld Designed for Commercial Usage

01 Jun 2003

Icom UK Ltd has launched a new VHF marine handheld transceiver designed with particular emphasis on commercial use. Suitable for<$>both commercial marine and Private Business Radio (PBR) applications, the compact and rugged IC-M87 meets military standard requirements (MIL-STD) and is built to the same waterproof specification (equivalent to IPX7) employed by the IC-M1EuroV and IC-M21.