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keted rapid passenger transfer sys- tem, the Marine Evacuation Chute." Beaufort has been actively pro- moting the product internationally. The RBS 50-person has been enthu- siastically accepted by two of the Pacific Northwest's largest passen- ger ferry operators. The British Columbia Ferry Corporation and Alaska Marine Highways are cur- rently operating vessels using the approved 50-person liferafts. For more information Circle 48 on Reader Service Card Inmarsat Buoy Allows Vessel Monitoring By Satellite A buoy that communicates via Inmarsat satellites will make it pos- sible to monitor and store informa- tion about the condition and safety of ships at sea, automatically alert authorities in case of an accident, and act as a floating "black box" repository of vital information. The buoy, which was unveiled at the headquarters of Inmarsat in December 1994, is part of the Sta- tus Recording (Starec) system. Ship owners will be able to monitor the safe operation of their ships and flag or port states will be able to conduct random checks on ships under their jurisdiction. In the event of a disaster, key information on ship status will be available im- mediately without having to recover the buoy, saving valuable time and resources. Inmarsat, in cooperation with Linkcom and the Japan Radio Com- Discover the World of MARITEX Use MARITEX to exploit the commercial benefits of the GMDSS MF/HF equipment /investment on board your ships. The dynamically linked coast stations of MARITEX form a computer controlled world- spanning MF/HF network for maritime text communication - with outstanding qualities. The new generation of MF/HF radio stations for GMDSS are, in most cases, ready to be used for commercial traffic in MARITEX. Non- GMDSS ships, too, very often carry the equip- ment required for MARITEX. Check with us. No entrance or subscription fees. MARITEX offers the following features: • Shore-to-ship messaging via telex or dial-up modem - with single point access and optional Delivery Confirmation. • Automatic, unattended delivery on board. • A variety of ship-to-shore services via telex or text-telefax. • Outstanding communication economy through highly competitive traffic rates. • 24 hour communication in all Ocean Areas. • 24 hour customer support and a help-desk. NEW: Two-way messaging via BIMCOM Electronic Mail Welcome to MARITEX! telia mobitel Telia Mobitel AB Maritime Services S-439 92 Onsala Sweden Telephone: +46 31 897341 Fax:+46 31 897399 Telex: 20194 MARITEX S Circle 290 on Reader Service Card pany, developed the Starec buoy to remotely monitor critical parameters such as speed, position, course, ex- cess water in the bilge, status of bow and stern doors and hull stresses. An Inmarsat-C communications ter- minal inside the buoy sends the data through Inmarsat satellites to a land earth station, which then forwards the data to the appropriate author- ity on shore. The buoy stores up to 24 hours of data and can be programmed to send reports at regular intervals. Should a ship sink, the buoy will float free and send a distress message to a pre- determined point on shore. The shore authority can then command the buoy to transmit all the recorded data in its memory, providing imme- diate information about what might have gone wrong. For more information on Inmarsat Circle 49 on Reader Service Card Maverick Foam Vest System For HK Salvage & lowing The Hong Kong Salvage & Tow- ing Company Ltd. (HKST) recently acquired the Maverick Foam Vest System (MFVS) from the Interna- tional Marine Supply and Service Co. (IMSSCO) of San Diego, Calif, to augment its salvage and firefighting equipment. HKST's managing director, Alan Curtis, witnessed the Maverick Foam Vest System demonstration at the Rotterdam International Safety Center (RISC), held in con- junction with the 13th International Tug & Salvage Convention in Rotterdam, Holland. The vest, which is ABS type-approved and UL-listed, was used to extinguish a fairly large three-dimensional Class B fire. "We intend to use the Maverick Foam Vest System as a portable firefighting appliance aboard our own tugs where the MFVS is ideal for those spaces where access is re- stricted, and as a firefighting tool in our salvage work," saidAlan Loynd, HKST's fleet manager. "The ability of the firefighter to turn foam on and off at his own will and knowing how much foam remains at all times makes the MFVS an effective and safe tool." For more information on IMSSCO Circle 50 on Reader Service Card USCG Approves Simulator- Based Master License Exam The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) has approved a simulator-based prac- tical examination for the Unlimited Master's License. As a result of its Licensing 2000 And Beyond focus study group, the USCG has approved a performance-based certification standard for U.S. mariners in charge of large ships. Previously, according to USCG regulations, qualified mariners could receive an Unlimited Master's Li- cense only after passing a written Maritime Reporter/Engineering News
