The system, used by transport operator Nexus, the Tyne and Wear Passenger Transport Executive, records all passenger traffic on a central computer and provides records should the company need to check them in the future. Nexus operates the ferry service that travels across the Tyne connecting the communities of North and South Shields. A ferry service has been running here since the 14th century and today carries half a million passengers every year.

Nexus approached installing dealer Southern Electronics with their specific safety requirement. Southern Electronics discussed this with Icom, which recommended the RMS solution.

The system, including full software integration, took only one week to install.

Each ferry has an IC-F2610 UHF transceiver installed which allows the ferry operator to directly communicate with a counterpart IC-F2610 in the Ferry Offices housed on either side of the Tyne. An operator on the ferry counts the passengers onboard and contacts the skipper who inputs the number into the numeric pad on the radio. This is then transmitted to both transceivers either side of the Tyne. Both these units are directly linked to a computer where the information is stored.

The data may be used to check punctuality as well as passenger numbers, as the system can automatically generate reports for Nexus and provides a detailed record of number of customers on board, time of departure and arrival. The system has been trialed, inspected and approved by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency.

MJInformation No: 21821