Instructions and guidance for setting-up your computer and
Inmarsat terminal, for Internet access and exchanging e-mail messages- and a list ofLESOs which provide the necessary Internet connection,
are available from: Inmarsat Customer Care, 99 City Road, London,
EC1Y lAX, United Kingdom. Tel +44 207 728 1777; Fax +44 207
728 1746; e-mail: [email protected].
You need to tell them the type/make of equipment fitted (e.g.,
Inmarsat-C/Furuno); and whether you require Internet and/or e-mail
access. (Note that Inmarsat-C allows e-mail only, not direct Internet
access)
Inmarsat-A and Inmarsat-B High Speed Data (HSD)
Inmarsat-A and Inmarsat-B equipment can be configured for 'High
Speed Data' (HSD) - with the addition of an 'HSD Modem' - allowing
data transmission/ reception at speeds of 56/64 kilo-bits per second
(56kb/s and 64kb/s). HSD uses special satellite channels, which can
handle much higher levels of data transfer than normal 'voice-band'
telephone channels.
Inmarsat-Allnmarsat-B HSD is particularly useful for transferring
high levels of data (e.g. seismic survey information) - and can also be
used for 'remote tele-diagnosis' (and/or remote repair), allowing experts
ashore (medical, or technical) to 'see' problems onboard your vessel
through a special 'camera headset' (worn by the onboard operator) and
your Inmarsat HSD unit. The onboard technician can point a camera at
the problem and describe symptoms, verbally, to the expert - who can
ask for the camera to be directed at the problem area. The expert ashore
can then direct the onboard operator to carry out the necessary tasks to
put things right.
Inmarsat-A and Inmarsat-B PC Telex
Maritime Inmarsat-A and Inmarsat-B equipment installed as part
of the GMDSS installation will normally be equipped for telex, as well
as telephone, operation. Telex operation on both Inmarsat-A and
Inmarsat-B is a two-stage process Oust like Inmarsat-A telephone). Typical
steps for passing a telex message using either type of equipment would
be, e.g:
Stage 1
Type-up and save your message to file.
Set-up a working (telex) channel through your chosen LES.
66 THE NAUTICAL INSTITUTE