The Satamatics Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) meets all mandatory requirements and performance standards of NOAA Fisheries - National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS).
The Satamatics VMS is based on the reliable Inmarsat IsatM2M Service.
Satamatics VMS automatically transmits the vessel's location back to the monitoring center of the NOAA Fisheries Office for Law Enforcement utilizing the onboard Satamatics advanced satellite transceiver.
The Satamatics VMS for NOAA Fisheries is based on the following:
By signing up to Satamatics VMS, vessel owners are guaranteed a reliable integrated service with only one point of contact for purchase, activation, billing, customer support and warranty.
Satamatics is more than a system integrator representing hardware manufacturers and service providers.
Satamatics designed, built and maintains its own satellite earth stations. Likewise, it designed and manufactures the satellite transceiver. The whole VMS is operated, maintained and provided by a technical team under the same roof ensuring a complete, seamless and uninterrupted Vessel Monitoring System for NOAA Fisheries compliance.
Satamatics is an established global service provider of mobile satellite communications on land and on sea. Worldwide service is provided through the Inmarsat system of geostationary satellites and the Inmarsat IsatM2M protocol, ensuring the highest reliability, maximum quality of service and rapid message delivery.
The same service being provided for VMS is being used to meet the requirements for the Ship Security Alert System (SSAS) mandated by the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) Convention for commercial shipping and for national VMS programs around the world.
The NMFS control unit incorporates the advanced Satamatics intelligent mobile satellite terminal. It combines advanced communications technology with an internal 12-channel GPS receiver and an integrated back-up battery for automatic low-maintenance operation. The Main Module is packaged in a ruggedized enclosure designed for the maritime environment.
The Antenna is a small lightweight unit, easily installed on a guard rail, upper deck or mast. Sealed and certified to IP66 for operation above decks in heavy seas, Satamatics omni-directional antenna has a 'look angle' of elevation less than five degrees above the horizon, ensuring reliable communication in rough seas.
VMS Product and Service can be purchased directly from Satamatics over the phone. After receiving and installing the vessel hardware, the transceiver is activated simply from a web page set up for the vessel owner or with a simple phone call.
Billing, service utilization and technical support is quick and easy via the Web.
The Satamatics VMS Service can be used to transmit safety and distress alerts and messages. For example, the satellite transceiver has the capability of interfacing with an optional "Panic" Button. Engaging this button would trigger a transmission of a "Panic" Alert via a VMS Position Report.
This approach has been implemented for the Secure Ship Alert System mandated by the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) convention through the International Maritime Organization. The forwarding of a "Panic" alert to USCG as a part of the U.S. Coast Guard's Automated Mutual-Assistance Vessel Rescue system can be done by Satamatics as a NOAA Fisheries certified VMS Service Provider. Note that this is not GMDSS as Inmarsat IsatM2M Class of Service is not certified GMDSS.
Satamatics forwards a "Panic" alert to the appropriate USCG and/or another authority designated by the vessel owner. This can be done either by denoting the USCG station associated with the vessel's area of operations or by defining a geographical region for each USCG station. The method of routing options are:
Satamatics can offer an independent service to users authorized by vessel owners. The precise location and status of a vessel can be tracked on any desktop or laptop computer connected to the Internet. The VMS website is accessed using a standard web browser. Security is ensured with User Name and Password login.
With the addition of a Mobile Data Terminal (MDT) on board the vessel, 2-way messaging can be provided as a part of this service.
Also the satellite transceiver has 8 input/output ports to which operational and security alert sensors can be connected for periodic routine status info and real time alarms.
Using the VMS web interface, authorized users can interrogate the satellite terminal on-board a vessel for a current position report or operational status.
Take a tour of the Satamatics VMS website: