A pilot project to improve maritime safety in Vanuatu is underway.
Archipelagos such as Vanuatu often fall outside of international maritime regulations and safety standards and according to the IMO, this is a growing concern.
Lack of communication between ship and shore puts vessels and their crews at risk, particularly in remote areas such as Vanuatu. Often they don’t have their own lifeline if something goes wrong and are poorly equipped to communicate in an emergency, says Peter Broadhurst, Inmarsat Senior Vice President for Safety and Security.
This pilot program is the result of cooperation between the International Mobile Satellite Organization and the Government of Vanuatu. Endorsed by the IMO, the project will see five of Inmarsat’s Fleet One units deployed to improve the communication between ships and the island communities.
Fleet One enables any size commercial or leisure vessel to reach satellite broadband when they move out of very high frequency or global system for mobile.
Inmarsat will reportedly provide three months of free data use, but its 505 emergency and distress calling service will be offered permanently.
This initiative is part of the communication safety project that was announced in December 2016. Its purpose is to improve satellite communication on domestic vessels to enhance safety of navigation in the archipelago.
Laurent Parenté, Vanuatu Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations IMO and representative of the Office of Government Chief Information Officer says that Fleet One will not only improve safety by giving Vanuatu seafarers direct access to the emergency Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre, but will also give them weather reports, navigation charts and texting abilities.
The Fleet One units will be used on the landing craft Valerie, the tugboat Warringa and three cargo/passenger vessels Makila, Kiwi Trader and Vanuatu Ferry.
Fathom-News
editor@fathom-mi.com
