(NEWS) INMARSAT Annual Seminar at WMU

November

2013

INMARSAT Annual Seminar at WMU

INMARSAT, the industry leader and pioneer of mobile satellite communications, offered its annual Seminar on Contemporary Maritime Information and Communications Technology at WMU 13 – 15 November. Through coordination with the WMU INMARSAT Chair, Professor Daniel S.H. Moon, the Class of 2013 participated in the 3-day offering.

Howard Hughes, Maritime Safety Engineering Manager for INMARSAT led the seminar with participation by WMU Governor and INMARSAT Head of Maritime Safety Services, Peter Blackhurst. On day-one of the seminar, Hughes delivered presentations introducing INMARSAT’s satellite communication, the INMARSAT/WMU Training CD-Rom, and addressed INMARSAT and the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS).

Day-two involved guest speaker John-Erik Hagen, Regional Director at the Norwegian Coastal Administration, who provided an introduction to e-navigation. Also participating was Seagull AS, specialists in providing seafarer training and assessment tools for effective compliance to STCW, ISM and other IMO standards, with a presentation by Ståle Nordvik, Director of Sales and Marketing, about the Seagull Career Development Cycle.

The final day involved a workshop led by Hughes together with Prof. Moon. The students were divided into four groups to discuss the topics of “e-navigation – what is the future?” and “revision of the GMDSS.” Presentations of the conclusions were made by one student from each group. During the workshop discussions, and in the wrap-up session after the student presentation, Hughes enthusiastically exchanged views and opinions on the topics with the students leading to a stimulating and valuable discussion.

The concluding presentation of the seminar addressed producing engaging training for 21st century seafarers, and was made by Raal Harris, Multi-Media and Digital Manager at VIDEOTEL, a specialist in maritime training materials.

Overall the event provided 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.

INMARSAT has been a long-time supporter of WMU with this long-standing seminar offering and the INMARSAT Chair position first established in 1994 and fulfilled annually since 1998. Their continued support and involvement with the university has provided a significant contribution to WMU’s mission of maritime capacity building.

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