Ian Waugh - A Mariner\'s Guide to Marine Communications

Inmarsat services

The Inmarsat network offers a range of services including

SafetyNET and FleetNET; Ship-Shore distress communications; Telex

and e-mail services using Inmarsat-A, Band Inmarsat-C; e-mail services

using Inmarsat-M and Mini-M; High Speed Data (HSD) using suitably

equipped Inmarsat-A and Inmarsat-B terminals and position reporting

and remote data acquisition using Inmarsat-C.

Inmarsat Services Table

SafetyNET and

FleetNET

Ship-Shore distress

communications

Telex

e-mail

Telephone, fax
and voice band data
High speed data
(typically 64kbit/s)
Position reporting and
remote data acquisition

Notes

Inmarsat G MDSS

(note 1)

A B C E

Yes Yes

(note 2)

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes Yes

(note 4)

No No

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

No

No

Yes

No

Yes

No

No

No

No

No

non-GMDSS

Inmarsat

(note 7)

M/Mini-M

No

Yes

No

Yes

(note 3)

No

No

1 Inmarsat-A, Band C can be fitted as part of a ship's GMDSS requirement
(but may also be fitted as equipment additional to the GMDSS requirement).
Vessels must also carry a satellite EPIRB - Inmarsat-E is one of the choices
(Chapter 10). Inmarsat M/Mini-M, where fitted, will be in addition to the
ship's GMDSS equipment.
2 To receive SafetyNET/FleetNET using Inmarsat-A/B, your equipment has
to be fitted with an Enhanced Group Call Receiver - which may not be an
available option on some manufacturer's AlB units.
3 Fax and data on Inmarsat-M/Mini-M are normally limited to 2·4kbitls (i.e.
about 25% of the speed expected on Inmarsat-A/B)
4 Some Inmarsat-A/B units can be fitted with a high speed data modem,
providing data rates suitable for bulk data transfer and video.

MARINE COMMUNICATIONS 157