Ship to Shore Communications
Ship to shore communications are telecommunications systems designed to help vessels maintain reliable connectivity while offshore. These communication systems enable offshore vessels to access real-time data and voice communications when out of range from costal systems. Through the use of satellites, microwave equipment, or a combination of both, offshore operators can access reliable internet connectivity offshore. These communication links can be deployed on a variety of maritime equipment, from ferries, to cruise ships, to FPSOs and artic-based drilling vessels.
Ship-to-shore communications provide the infrastructure that offshore operators require to effectively complete a variety of missions. By enabling offshore fleets to share data during intensive exploratory applications such as drilling or oceanic mapping, operators can more accurately determine how to position critical assets to make offshore applications run more smoothly. Additionally, when stationed offshore, robust communications links function as a crucial communications component to crews. In drilling applications, where crewmembers find themselves offshore for weeks at a time, the ability to video call friends and family onshore is paramount. Previous iterations of offshore communications links were typically laggy, expensive, and largely ineffective in facilitating effective, low-latency communications.
In leisure-based maritime applications such as ferry, cruise, and yacht markets, ship to shore communications took on a different importance. In addition to enabling crew and operators with a more effective communications solution, ship to shore communications revolutionized the way in which on-board passengers could connect with friends and family onshore. By removing the previous hurdles to consistent, high-bandwidth connectivity, microwave-based ship to shore communications provided passengers with previously unrealized access and connectivity. By eliminating the need for previous, satellite-based, high cost, recurring access plans, microwave-based communications links provided leisure vessel operators with a multifaceted solution – one that could not only improve ship communications, but also provide passengers with the high-bandwidth internet access they craved.
