...Maritime Broadband Inc. C-Bird™ solution aboard the MT Nordic Aurora on August 6, 2012. The installation also initiates a 36-month contract for C-band global satellite services to be provided by Maritime Broadband to the vessel. C-Bird™ was delivered as a kit to the vessel without use of a shore crane. The antenna was then assembled and installed onboard while at anchorage in Fos Sur Mer, France. Preparation and fabrication of the pedestal took 48 hours plus five hours by the crew of the “Nordic Aurora” and two Maritime Broadband techs to assemble the C-bird™ system.

Dalibor Jalsovec, Electrical Superintendent, Hellespont Ship Management, noted that C-Bird™ was selected because it is affordable and practical. “We were able to install this system ourselves without going to dry-dock or use of floating cranes, as the equipment is not heavy and it is modular. The economics and logistics of C-Bird™ just make sense doing the installation when the vessel is in service, for us as technical managers of a tanker fleet.”

Mr. Frithjof Bettum, Senior Vice President—Operations, Nordic American Tankers Limited, said, “The choice to deploy C-Bird™ was natural for us. We have always-on Internet within our existing budget. Coverage is global—which we expect will provide operating benefits, support the crew and eliminate some surprises in our communication bills. The ease and low cost of installation is a great feature.”   

The MT Nordic Aurora is a 274-meter Suezmax crude carrier, built in 1999. The vessel trades worldwide.