Marine communication refers to the exchange of information between vessels at sea or between vessels and shore stations. It has evolved from early flag signaling to modern radio technologies. Key developments include the early use of radio telegraphy using Morse code, integration of VHF radio with digital selective calling for ship-to-ship and ship-to-shore communication, establishment of satellite systems like INMARSAT for global coverage, and adoption of the Global Maritime Distress Safety System (GMDSS) to standardize radio equipment required on ships based on their area of operation. Modern marine communication systems aim to ensure vessels can reliably exchange information to aid navigation and quickly transmit distress signals.
1. MARINE COMMUNICATION
“Short history”
• The correct use of marine radios
communication is paramount to safe
boating and in the right hands, a
marine radios can save life and
property.
Presenter: Sagun Subedi
MOKPO NATIONAL UNIVERSITY
2. It is necessary to understand difference the between the term marine and maritime communication.
There is very little difference. Both come from the Latin word for 'sea' which is mare, Maris. Thus,
'marine' directly relates to the sea, while 'maritime' relates to things associated with the sea.
Marine
• Marine is an adjective meaning
of or pertaining to the sea, as in
'marine biology,' the study of life
in the sea.
• He was a marine in World War II.
Maritime
• Maritime is an adjective meaning
pertaining to objects or actions
related to or conducted on the sea,
as in 'maritime history,' which is
the study of events that have
occurred on the high seas,
shipping, commerce, discovery.
• We enjoyed maritime activities
such as kayaking and deep sea
diving.
3. Marine communication
• As it is known that earth consists of 70% water and it can be predicted
that marine communication is vast than terrestrial communication.
• Marine communication refers to the Information exchange between sea
things as ships or other equipment floating or under seaocean.
• Initially for this communication flag semaphore were used.
Flag semaphore is the telegraphy system conveying information at a distance by means of visual signals with hand-held flags,
rods, disks, paddles, or occasionally bare or gloved hands. Information is encoded by the position of the flags; it is read when the
flag is in a fixed position.
4. • Earlier in the 17th century ship to ship or ship to shore communication was
watched by the skilled radio officers which latter was replaced by radio
telegraphy using Morse code.
• Marine communication between ship to shore and ship to ship is carried out
by very high frequency (VHF) radio. Digital selective calling (DSC) is now being
integrated with VHF as per SOLAS (safety of life at sea) convection.
• DSC come with digital remote commands to transmit or receive distress
alert, urgent or safety and routine priority message.
5. Progress in Marine Radio Communication
• Marine communication is believed to accelerate with the invention of the RMS Queen Mary(1936-
1967).
• A paper entitled “A survey of Marine Radio Progress, with special reference to RMS Queen Mary” was
presented at the meeting of the wireless section of the institution of Electrical Engineers. This paper
summarizes the progress such as radio equipment used in cargo and passenger vessels, radio
problems encountered , way to solve the problems and the actual radio station of the RMS Queen
Mary.
#Queen Mary constructed by john brown and company in Clydebank, Scotland route between Southampton,
Cherbourg and New York. Also serves as military ship for troops during WWII. Currently it is in New York as
Tourist attraction.
• This installation comprises four transmitters and nine or ten
receivers; the control room can handle four independent
duplex circuits, and provision is made for high-speed
transmission and reception, and simultaneously
communication on both telegraphy and telephony with both sides of the Atlantic.
6. Marine communication
INMARSAT
It is British satellite telecommunication company, offering global
mobile services.
The organization was created to establish and operate a satellite
communications network for the maritime community.
COSPAS-SARSAT
The International Cospas-Sarsat Program is a
satellite-based search and
rescue (SAR) distress alert detection and
information distribution system.
As of 2011, 26 country ( including republic of
Korea), regional governments and one
organization (Chunghwa Telecom) are providers of
ground segments.
7. Cell phones age:
• In early 70s, cell phones were developed, though they provide the
convenience of simple, easy-to-use, inexpensive, private and generally
reliable telephone service to home, office, automobile or other locations
yet they weren’t and still aren’t used as the mean of communication in
marine system. Here are some reasons behind them.
• Most cell phones are designed for a land-based service. Their coverage offshore is limited, and
may change without notice .
• If distress call is made on the cell phones only one party you call will be able to hear you.
• Locating a cell caller is hard to do. If you don’t know your location, the coast guard will have
difficulty finding your location on the water.
8. VHF radios
• VHF marine radios were designed with safety in mind, i.e. if you are in distress, calls can be received
not only by the coast guard but by ships which may be in position to give immediate assistance.
• A VHF marine radio also helps ensure that storm warnings and other urgent marine information
broadcasts are received.
• VHF radios can be used anywhere around the world.
“VHF radios”
10. For international operational requirements, the global
maritime distress safety system (GMDSS) has divided world
into four sub areas.
• Area A1: lies within range of shore-based VHF coast stations (up to about 20 NM);
• VHF equipment, S-EPIRB or VHF EPIRB, MSI receiver.
• Area A2: lies within range of shore based MF coast stations (excluding A1 areas) (up to about 150
NM) ;
• VHF and MF equipment, S-EPIRB, MSI receiver.
• Area A3: lies within the coverage area of INMARSAT communications satellites (excluding A1 and
A2 areas- approximately between latitude 70 degrees north to latitude 70 degrees south);
• VHF, MF and HF or satellite equipment, S-EPIRB, MSI receiver.
• Area A4: comprises the remaining sea areas outside A1, A2, A3 (the polar regions);
• VHF, MF and HF equipment, 406 MHZ S-EPIRB, MSI receiver.
# NM/M/nmi is unit of distance that is approximately one minute of arc measured along any meridian i.e. 1,852 meter or 6,076 feet.
