Sophisticated Systems Improve Vessel Connectivity

Just what makes the soon-to-be-delivered HOS Achiever, our newest multipurpose supply vessel (MPSV), so special? The vessel boasts an array of innovative and exciting features, but one of the most anticipated is its communications system.

Always on broadband
The HOS Achiever is outfitted with a premium C/Ku dual-band VSAT antenna solution, which will provide extensive global broadband data and voice communications. HOS has secured a minimum 128 kbps of dedicated, synchronous C-bandwidth. This bandwidth is “always on” and is not shared with other vessels. Should clients require more bandwidth, the system can quickly expand, in 64 kbps increments, to as much as 8 mbps (depending on available capacity); alternatively, the system can easily be converted to Ku-bandwidth.

Secure subnetworks
The vessel’s network can be segregated into subnetworks for HOS, the client and our crew. These divided subnetworks will provide additional security and efficient, prioritized allocation of available bandwidth. Each subnetwork can be allocated minimum and maximum bandwidth, within the vessel’s total bandwidth. State rooms will be equipped with voice and data drops, and wireless access points will provide public wireless Internet access to passengers (by means of the crew subnetwork). Content filtering can be applied to each of the networks to ensure appropriate Internet access and use.

Of the eight available voice lines, two will be accessible to crew members and passengers, who can use prepaid calling cards to make outgoing calls. All lines can be integrated into the vessel PBX.

Other system features include the following:

• Transmission of daily vessel logs and other documents
• Surveillance systems
• Video conferencing and streaming
• Vessel position tracking
• An online portal that will provide visibility to satellite link status and quality and information about bandwidth utilization

24/7 service
The system will also have 24/7 help-desk support and an end-to-end service level agreement. The HOS Achiever is also outfitted with an Iridium satellite, which will provide redundant voice and data communications. Further redundancy will be provided by an Inmarsat-C satellite.

To learn more about vessel communications and the importance of working with industry experts, contact Hornbeck Offshore at (985) 727-2000 or visit www.hornbeckoffshore.com/vessel_osv_dp.html.