Satellite solutions including phones, data modems and hotspots are providing commercial fishing operators with reliable,
THE GLOBALSTAR SOLUTION COMMERCIAL FISHING
ONBOARD SATELLITE COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY FOR OFFSHORE COMMERCIAL FISHING Satellite solutions including phones, data modems and hotspots are providing commercial fishing operators with reliable, affordable onboard connectivity both on and offshore, beyond the reach of cellular networks.
For today’s commercial fishing operators, maintaining a competitive advantage through efficient, cost-effective operations has been critical in an industry challenged by weather, supply/pricing, high fuel and maintenance costs and increasingly tight margins. Satellite technology is helping address that gap by providing reliable voice and data communications, onboard and offshore. Satellite solutions such as Globalstar Sat-Fi and Globalstar 9600 create global voice and data hotspots that provide seamless integration Photo taken in Port De Grave, Newfoundland of John Efford’s boat the Four Jacks with between any Wi-Fi enabled smartphone, tablet, a full load of shrimp, following a successful fishing trip close to the 200 mile limit. laptop, etc. Depending on the satellite device, a fishing crew can now be fully connected with clear quality voice, email and text capability while on the water. It’s the next generation of satellite and it’s changing the way commercial fishermen operate. That includes turning the wheelhouse into an office on the water in constant contact with fishing plants and suppliers on shore.
“I rely on my Globalstar satellite phone to stay connected” — John Efford, Commercial Fisherman
For today’s commercial fishermen, travel beyond the reach of cellular or GSM networks is a given, and satellite telephones are the only viable solution for making and receiving phone calls. Commercial fishermen are using satellite phones such as the Globalstar GSP-1700 and satellite data modems to download the latest weather forecasts and ice reports from Environment Canada, to do their banking, to report the catch, to order fuel and supplies for their next trip and to source parts should they have a breakdown on the water. They are also using satellite communications to access real-time pricing information in order to sell at the highest price possible and to gain that all-important competitive edge. In the event of an offshore emergency such as a serious medical situation with a member of the crew or sudden equipment failure, satellite phones provide reliable and affordable ship-to-shore connectivity with crystal clear voice quality. For modern commercial fishing crews this not only addresses operational and safety considerations, but is a smarter way to operate a commercial fishing enterprise.
SATELLITE LIFELINE John Efford has been fishing crab, shrimp and seal off the shore of Newfoundland for 20-plus years. His trips typically last from three to seven days and take him anywhere from 60 miles to 200 miles offshore. “I run my business out on the water. It’s an issue when you can’t make a phone call or have access to email. I rely on my Globalstar satellite phone to stay connected,” he says. Last June when his boat, Four Jacks, caught fire, Efford’s satellite phone was a lifeline. “I began to prepare everything we would need in case we had to abandon ship. In my cabin I have a small water tight bag. The first thing I put in the bag was my satellite phone.” CONNECTIVITY AT SEA FOR COMMERCIAL SHRIMP AND CRAB FISHING FLEET With deep roots in the Newfoundland offshore crab and shrimp fishery that go back generations, the Piercey family is a success story in what it takes to build and run a successful commercial fishing business. Brothers Steve and Greg, along with their father Cyril Piercey today operate a fleet of “state of the art” crab and shrimping vessels out of St. John’s, Newfoundland – the Atlantic Gale, the Newfoundland Explorer and the Atlantic Maverick. One of the keys to this family’s success has been to equip their vessels with reliable onboard satellite communications technology so that their crew and equipment always remain connected, offshore and beyond cellular.
“The quality of satellite voice communication is now seamless” — Steve Piercey, Commercial Fisherman
According to Steve Piercey, the family-run business has grown from what was originally dories and skiffs, to today’s thoroughly modernized and interconnected fleet of 3 vessels which operate off the coast of Newfoundland and Labrador. Piercey has observed that in the last 10 years “communications have dramatically evolved” and that satellite network down times have gotten much better. “The quality of satellite voice communication is now seamless” he says. Steve, Greg and Cyril Piercey and their respective crews typically fish anywhere from 200 miles offshore to 150 miles off the northern tip of Newfoundland. Sometimes they send their boats as far as coastal Labrador. “We have 3 fishing vessels out to sea at any one time, with 6 guys on each vessel,” says Steve Piercey. “We work on a refrigerator salt water system, so we can go out for 14 days at a time. Starting at about 12 miles offshore, we lose cellular coverage.” To keep their crew and onboard operational equipment connected while at sea, the Piercey’s use Globalstar GSP-1700 satellite phones and Wi-Fi enabled 9600 satellite data hotspots on all of their vessels. “We use Globalstar satellite devices as part of our onboard electronic package,” says Steve. The satellite phones and data hotspots enable the Piercey’s and their crew to report conditions, download weather reports, connect onboard computers and most importantly, to keep in touch with each other and family back home. Steve emphasizes the importance of having reliable connectivity on all of their fishing vessels. “Communications has always been a big deal with us” says Steve, “and, we’ve always spent money on it. Everything onboard our vessels runs on satellite. From electronic navigation to TV’s to computers to phones. Everything is interfaced and overlayed.” For the Piercey’s, satellite communications technology has simply become “indispensable” for the ongoing success of their commercial fishing operations.
The Globalstar 9600 and the GSP-1700 satellite phone seamlessly pair to create a mobile satellite hotspot via a convenient app.
For more information on Globalstar devices, visit: Globalstar.com Globalstar products are distributed in the US by Globalstar Inc., a company that offers satellite voice and data services to commercial and recreational users in more than 120 countries around the world. For more information, visit Globalstar.com.
