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broadband service. For the price sensitive smaller vessel/fleet market, it is attractively priced with up to three handsets that ensure that crew is not interfering with the operations of the boat. OpenPorts advantages include a package that has no moving parts and always looks for strongest signal. Beyond that, its smaller antenna provides smaller platform operators with a less intrusive addition to their already crowded hulls. With an inexpensive installation price and start-up costs, it follows on with lower operating prices. In other words: just the ticket for the cost-conscious inland operator looking to dip his toes in the SATCOM waters. OBrien describes Iridiums business philosophies by saying, We use a network of global, reliable and knowledgeable distributors, all with access to targeted markets. Were always looking to meet the evolving needs of vari- ous markets.? He adds, There is no maritime market ? its a series of indi- vidual markets within that broad category.? BOATRACS ? SATCOM, S OFTWAREANDAN INLAND FOCUSAnother provider of integrated satellite communications and software solutions for the commercial maritime industry is Boatracs. Boatracs offers multiple communications solutions ranging from its core Qualcomm OmniTRACS product line to newer multi-mode broadband and voice capabilities, all powered by BTConnect, Boatracs web-based messaging and mapping software to provide access to fleet-wide data from anywhere on any device. Today, Boatracs delivers products and services to thousands of ves- sels in the offshore, inland, commercial fishing and government markets. Boatracs CEO Irwin Rodrigues told MarineNews recently, We see oppor- tunities for growth in three primary areas. The first area is in small to medi- um size fleets. Roughly two thirds of the North American workboat mar- ket consists of fleets with less than 20 vessels, and there is growing demand for affordable, simple satellite communications solutions that help these Download complete catalog www.aluminumandstainless.com Building an aluminum boat? Aluminum and Stainless, Inc. has all the metal.MARINE ALUMINUM5086 50835052 60615456Plate ? Sheet ? Rod ? BarPipe ? Tube ? Shapes Weld Wire ? Fittings STAINLESS STEEL304L 316L 303 17-4BOAT SHAFTS17-4 condition H1150Two locations: Lafayette, LA 800-252-9074New Orleans, LA 800-562-9022Aluminum and Stainless, Inc. Marine metals specialists since 1969.Lafayette New Orleans Workboat with Sea Tel equipment installation.