(NEWS) INMARSAT Annual Seminar, 2014

August

2014

INMARSAT Annual Seminar, 2014

INMARSAT returned to WMU from 4-6 August to deliver their annual seminar. The industry leader and pioneer of mobile satellite communications has been a long-time supporter of WMU with the annual seminar offering as well as the INMARSAT Chair position first established in 1994 and fulfilled annually since 1998.

Through coordination with the current WMU INMARSAT Chair, Professor Daniel S.H. Moon, the 3-day offering to the Class of 2014 began with an introduction to INMARSAT satellite communication by Howard Hughes, Maritime Safety Engineering Manager. The day continued with John Dodd, Maritime Safety Engineering Manager, who presented the role of INMARSAT with the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS).

On Day two, guest speaker John-Erik Hagen, Regional Director at the Norwegian Coastal Administration, provided an introduction to e-navigation and Mr. Hughes made a presentation about accidents at sea interactive analysis. Also contributing to day two was Transas Group, a global leader in marine navigation systems and professional training devices for commercial fleet. Alaxander Ponomarev, Simulation Department Manager, made a presentation about using simulators to apply novel approaches to Maritime Education and Training.

The final day involved a workshop led by Mr. Hughes, Mr. Dodd, and Professor Moon. The students were divided into four groups to discuss an overview of GMDSS and the future of GMDSS modernization. After discussions, a representative from each group reported out to the entire class. The final exercise was a debate forum on the topics of 1) simulation training/at sea training, 2) compulsory tracking of vessels, and 3) prosecution for incorrect use of ‘distress’ calls.

Once again, the workshop proved to be an excellent opportunity for the students to discuss the current state of maritime information and communication technologies, and to provide direct input to INMARSAT regarding their recommendations for improvement in this critically important area.

For more information about INMARSAT, click here.

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