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www,seadiscovery.com Marine Technology Reporter 37 important contributor to crew morale. Vessels equipped with broadband VSAT systems can offer crew phones, calling-card programs, television, Internet kiosks or WiFi "hotspots," which provide shipboard workers with the ability to use their own laptop or wireless PDA as if they were back on land. The fleets that can offer their crews a better life onboard, with more of the comforts of home, can lower costs by significantly reducing employee turnover.

The advent of satellite-enabled technologies such as

M2M and RFID, IP Telephony, wireless Internet and real- time video technology have made this an exhilarating time in the maritime communications industry. These tech- nologies ensure that maritime operators have more choic- es in satellite communications than ever before while modern VSAT systems have opened the doors for improved business applications and crew morale services.

While older solutions still exist, it is these newer tech- nologies that will combine to usher in a new era in mar- itime efficiency and communications.

David Myers is vice president of marketing & product management for CapRock

Communications. CapRock provides premium satellite communication services to remote and harsh locations for industries like energy, maritime, mining, and construction, as well as the government and military. Myers has 15 years of experience in the satellite and industri- al computing markets, and holds an MBA in Technology Marketing and a Master of Science in Telecommunications.

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