The Ultimate Guide to Getting Satellite Internet Services on Your Sea Vessels

It is one thing to make a ship-to-shore call during an emergency and another to access uninterrupted internet services on ship. Satellite internet services have made this possible as the satellite internet industry is maturing with several options that suit the needs of light, medium, and heavy data users.

For users who are looking for cost-effective internet options, some broadband satellite services provide flexible data packages and more affordable hardware to meet their diverse requirements. However, the trade-off comes with slower download and upload speeds. At the upper end of the spectrum, there are several manufacturers that offer amazing long-range products and service packages that might be expensive for some.

Challenges

For most shipping companies, the challenge in getting maritime VSAT services for a boat is the cost along with the fact that a ship is always on the move at sea which makes offshore internet connectivity challenging unlike internet services on land. You need a satellite which can maintain a stable connection while the ship sails in the water. Distance is also a factor as larger and more expensive satellite dishes are required when ship moves away from the poles. If you are looking for a strong signal anywhere at sea, be prepared to pay a higher price for the services.

Basics of Internet access on ship

Satellite internet offer services which can be used for voice calling, messaging, HD television reception, and web browsing. Equipment provided by the internet service provider for moving sea vessels can offer uninterrupted internet service anywhere in the ocean.

Manufacturers offer dishes which are similar to antennas along with their monthly data plans. If your vessel rarely goes out to sea, you can go for an enhanced antenna and signal booster system which will make Wi-Fi networks available on your ship. However, for more expansive and reliable internet connections, maritime VSAT is the only effective solution.

Explore the web for more information and suggestions on choosing the best broadband satellite services for your sea vessels. Once finalised, you can get in touch with the customer service team of your preferred service provider to enquire about their plans and pricings.

Vessel Monitoring: Combining Mobile Satellite Internet and Vessel Tracking

Vessel surveillance system is used to monitor the location and movement of commercial vessels at sea and remote areas. Such system help vessel operators and owners to monitor vessel position, course and speed, and to make sure vessels are doing the right thing. To use vessel surveillance system, you need to install mobile broadband satellite-based communication system on vessels. The transceiver units will then send position reports such as vessel location with time and date and the vessel can be tracked continually. Mobile satellite services combined with vessel tracking technology enable vessel operators to track and monitor their ocean-going vessels in real-time anywhere within the world. This would help you to reduce the marine communication costs and improve profitability for your company.

Importance of Vessel Monitoring

·         Vessels navigate in very close proximity to each other. Therefore, vessel management becomes a critical aspect of vessel safety operations. By using vessel tracking systems, ship operators can manage their vessels safely and efficiently.

·         Some of the marine vessels have dimensions (height, width and length) that restrict their navigation in deep-water routes, thereby making them dependent on weather and sea conditions. A comprehensive vessel monitoring solution provides weather data, and has alerting options so that ships, people, and cargo can be saved at right time during emergencies.

·         Vessel monitoring system is linked to shore system to send alerts to land-based operators so that operators can guide rescue operations in case of marine emergencies.

·         Mobile satellite internet with connected vessel monitoring system keep merchant vessels connected, enforce compliance with marine regulations, and enable cost-effective and efficient vessel operations.

• Vessel tracking system can be seamlessly integrated into existing fuel monitoring solutions, which helps in optimizing fuel consumption.
• You can collect vessel engine performance data from vessel monitoring system and ensure that your fleets are always operating at their best.

The benefits of using mobile satellite services with vessel surveillance system are better ship and traffic performance in real-time, efficient use of waterways, reduced fuel consumption, and improved safety. Lastly, broadband satellite services with integrated vessel tracking systems will have a positive impact on the efficiency of port and vessel operations due to better scheduling and quicker turnarounds.