The International Mobile Satellite organization (INMARSAT) provides high quality voice, telex, data and fax communications to and from suitably equipped ships. The organization is divided in two segments to assure satellite communications: the space segment and the ground segment. NauticExpo features shipboard equipment such as Inmarsat-C, Inmarsat Mini-C, Inmarsat Mini-M and Inmarsat-F (77,55,33).
Inmarsat provides distress, emergency and safety communications via satellite. It provides satellite communication for TV, fax, telephone and internet.
The space segment consists of four geostationary satellites (Eastern Atlantic Ocean, Western Atlantic Ocean, Indian Ocean, Pacific Ocean) covering the entire globe, except the poles. The ground segment consists of a network of Land Earth Stations (LES), Mobile Earth Stations (MES) or Ship Earth Stations (SES), network co-ordination stations (NCS) and a network operations center (NOC). Both SES and MES serve shipboard communications needs. Different types of MES or SES offer different services.
SOLAS Convention ships (cargo ships of 300 gross registered tons and over and passenger ships making international voyages) carry Inmarsat communication systems as part of GMDSS equipment. However, other ships not subject to the SOLAS Convention or other national or international regulations might find it convenient to install Inmarsat-approved equipment. The choice between the different types of Inmarsat installations will depend on the kind of data to be transmitted.
