Globalstar, Inc. has announced that Globalstar Panama Corp. and leading Simplex data integrator Blue Oceans Satellite Systems Inc. have launched the Skyhawk M9601, a satellite-based global asset tracking and vessel monitoring system (VMS) solution.

The Skyhawk M9601 uses the highly reliable Globalstar Simplex data network for transmission of vessel position, and enables commercial fishing operators to meet government vessel monitoring and tracking requirements in coastal waters to more than 300 miles at sea. The Skyhawk M9601 transmits real-time GPS location monitoring data over the Globalstar Simplex data network to a government-based tracking office, providing maritime authorities with the ability to monitor the location of commercial fishing vessels operating in regulated waters. If a vessel is found to be in restricted waters, then it is contacted with an appropriate message or instructions. The Globalstar Simplex data offering is a low cost, one-way satellite data service that permits customers to use satellite modems and integrated back-office management solutions to track maritime-based mobile assets, such as commercial fishing vessels, vehicles, trailers and cargo containers using GPS or other location-based software. Simplex data service can also be used for a wide variety of industrial and security applications to monitor and send information from fixed assets, such as environmental measuring instruments or utility meters, or for reporting the state of various mobile sensor devices and their locations. What's more, it can provide personal tracking and messaging solutions for commercial and recreational customers using products such as the SPOT Satellite GPS Messenger.