[SatNews] How to prevent a mutiny at sea where communications can be tricky.

Globecomm Maritime has unveiled a significant enhancement to its crew email solution, combining the functionality of its se@COMM® software suite with readily available wireless network components.

Crew communications—particularly SMS and email services— have developed from being an “optional extra” to an essential service for ship owners and managers serious about crew welfare. Evidence from seafarers suggests that communication with loved ones while at sea not only improves morale and the overall productivity but it can make the difference between crew staying with the fleet or signing off.

But while crew communications packages are proliferating, they come with technical challenges. Crew communications must be kept separate from ship’s business and there is a need to put the connectivity where the crew can use it safely—in the mess, accommodation, or other communal areas.

Globecomm Maritime has addressed this need by installing a wireless access point on ships equipped with its se@COMM® service to deliver true wireless connectivity to seafarers, accessible via their smartphones or laptop PCs.

Key Features

• Business and crew traffic kept totally separate
• Access point supplied free of charge by Globecomm Maritime
• Increase in crew welfare, morale and retention
• All hardware comes preconfigured
• For a limited period Globecomm Maritime will provide a $5 se@CARD for each crew member
• Crew can access email and SMS from their own laptops or smartphones

Service Description

In order to take advantage of the Crew WiFi solution each vessel needs to be equipped with a Globecomm Maritime Crew WiFi access point that can be preconfigured by the technical staff prior to shipment. This ensures that this is a plug-and-play solution. Once fitted in a suitable location that gives coverage only to the accommodation and recreational areas the Crew WiFi access point is physically connected to a secured and dedicated LAN port on the se@WALL firewall. The se@WALL firewall is so configured that it is not possible for any unwanted crew traffic to pass onto the business network.