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WIRELESS/ON BOARD COMMUNICATIONS and demands on crews, the next operations in harsh maritime environ- most headset con? gurations, includ- generation of maritime communica- ments. The system balances intuitive ing binaural headsets which enable tions may be using technology that functionality and ease of use with a users to have a different communica- has been developed for military and robust, low-maintenance design. In tions input through each ear.

security applications. As the expec- high tempo operations the system Intercom systems can use hard tations for communications perfor- enables crew members to have inde- wired or wireless equipment for on- mance grows, it is worth considering pendent access to both secure and board communication between crew how military and security roles are non-secure communication networks, members. There may be a master con- driving changes and improvements uninterrupted hands free intercom fa- trol on the system or individuals can in the systems. ‘Milspec’ quality is cilities and full control of voice-acti- select what they want to hear.

becoming an industry norm for por- vated comms.” Some systems allow operators to table electronics in harsh marine en- The intercom & radio combiner listen to external radio and comms vironments. Next generation systems system can accommodate any radio transmissions while listening to on- may have a ‘net’ function with other and user combination with up to board crew conversations. Safety ben- types of communication, including eight radios and eight users as a basic e? ts of onboard intercoms include the ability to transmit data to or up- system. Key features include user-spe- situational awareness on the vessel load images from mobile units. Vari- ci? c VOX sensitivity control and users and commands that do not have to be ous systems designed for military and have the ability to personalize voice- repeated in demanding marine envi- security applications could improve activated comms at any time. The ronments. Whether a Superyacht or safety and ef? ciency for the offshore ergonomic design is for single hand a commercial vessel, docking maneu- sector, renewable energy, wind farms, operation during high-speed transits vers put high pressure on crew com- ? sh farming, aquaculture, survey and at sea. The system is ruggedized for munication as the risk of injuring a scienti? c work. The main difference land and maritime use, waterproof to crew member or damaging the ship is between military and civilian for some minimum IP67 and will work with high. This is no time for a radio bat- communication systems may simply be the use of encryption.

Solutions Abound for a

Changing Workplace

UK based-Drumgrange has devel- oped the Diamond intercom & radio combiner system as a digital system for use on RHIBs, high-speed craft and small vessels. The compact system is designed as a combined communi- cations solution for military, coast guard and commercial open boat ap- plications. The Diamond system pro- vides voice connectivity between users and on-board radios. It also integrates existing boat alarms, for example en- gine warning alarm, to support boat and crew safety.

Suzanne Coop, Business Develop- ment Manager for Drumgrange told

MarineNews in November, “The

Diamond system was developed to stringent end-user requirements for 27 www.marinelink.com MN

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