you can usually send your message as soon as you've finished typing it- or you can put a 'delay' on the message, allowing you to send a
number of messages during a Single connection to the LES.
Inmarsat-C 'FleetNET' Messages
One of the functions of the Inmarsat-C 'Enhanced Group Call'
(EGC - see Chapter 8) system is to allow 'company' messages to be
broadcast to a number of vessels at the same time. To receive FleetNET
messages, your Inmarsat-C unit must be programmed with an 'EGC
Network Identity' (ENID) unique to your company. The Inmarsat system
ashore does not know whether you have received FleetNET messages,
or not. If your office requires an acknowledgement - you must send a
message to them to let them know that you've received the message.
Question: On a recent trans-Atlantic voyage we did not receive a
FleetNET message from the office, although the message was received
by another company vessel quite close to our position. We were not
transmitting on the Inmarsat-C terminal at the time the message was
received on the other vessel and, except for that message, the system
seems to be working normally. Why was this?
Answer: You may have been 'logged-in' to different satellites. The
person sending the FleetNET message has to tell the LES which
satellite(s) the message is to be transmitted on. If the message is sent on
one satellite only, and one or more vessels are not logged-in to that
satellite - they will not receive the message.Cellular Radio and non-GMDSS Mobile Satellite Services
The two main, alternative, non-G MDSS methods of making 'Public
Correspondence' telephone, fax and data calls are 'Cellular Radio' and
(non-G MDSS) 'Mobile Satellite Services'
Vessels in coastal waters of many countries can access Cellular
Radio (telephone) systems - communication range about the same as
VHF radio, where cellular service is provided. Some Cellular Radio
systems operate only within one country. Others, like the GSM (Global
System for Mobile communications) operate in a large number of
countries and, if you have asked your equipment/service supplier to
activate 'international roaming' - you can use the GSM and similar
systems in any country where service is provided.
Vessels in coastal and deep-sea waters may be able to access non-
GMDSS 'Mobile Satellite Systems' Some mobile satellite systems are
MARINE COMMUNICATIONS 69