Tiers Of Communication Platforms

Tiers Of Communication Platforms- On ships, radios and infrastructure are available at three different levels. The size of the boat, the public money, and the required functionality requirements will influence which group of communications will best meet the needs of the ship.

Tiers Of Communication Platforms

Boat Dimensions

The size of the boat also influences the sort of communication system utilized. Small boats won’t require as advanced a communications system as big ships. More communication equipment is required for a large yacht than for a small one.

Taxpayer funds

The type of communications system selected will also be influenced by public funding. The government will seek to obtain the best value for its money if it pays for the communications system. The goal of a private firm is to maximize its resources.

Essential Capabilities Requirements

The kind of communications system utilized will also be influenced by the functionality requirements. Whenever a ship needs to connect with another boat, it will require a different communications system than if it only needs to communicate with one ship.

Critical Mission TETRA, LTE

The system architecture utilized by mission-critical organizations like public safety is at the top end of the scale. TETRA is the tried-and-true platform for this tier on ships. Many Police Departments, Fire Departments, and other First Responders use this similar network globally. More than 2 million TETRA radios are currently in use. This ALL-DIGITAL radio communications platform is tried and true. Depending on the VESSEL SIZE, the TETRA network can use one, two, or more repeaters connected by Cat5 network cable. More repeaters are on board, allowing for better coverage throughout the ship.

DMR Professional Line

The Professional Line of DMR radios is located just below the Public Safety layer. Digital Mobile Radio is a common abbreviation. DMR has already been shown to perform remarkably well on yachts of all sizes. Like TETRA Networks, DMR networks can consist of one or more repeaters connected by Cat5 network cable. In talk-around mode, DMR radios can be operated without a repeater or repeaters. This lowers the price of a DMR solution but may result in less reliable communication coverage. To achieve complete boat coverage, vessels 50m and larger typically require at least one repeater.

ICOM’s Commercial Line

The majority of boat communications used today operate at this level. The fact that this phrase has been used for so long is the cause. In either the VHF or UHF bands, this is analogue radio-to-radio communication as is customary. And the fact that it functions is the reason it has lasted so long. However, analogue radio-to-radio communications do not provide the necessary coverage or the rich features available with digital radios as pleasure yachts grow more extensive and more robustly constructed. This line would work for all communications on the deck but not all on the ship.

These factors lead Highland Wireless to the conclusion that ships under 50 metres in length should primarily use this line. That isn’t to suggest, yet, that a higher level of communication system wouldn’t be worthwhile in the smaller yachts.

Practical communication skills are essential for general safety, security, safe navigation, and the maritime industry. According to reports, more than 80% of the crew on commercial ships is multilingual and multicultural. Although the team’s diversity benefits from this, there is a high likelihood of miscommunication due to these issues.