The Moroccan Ministry of Fisheries announced Wednesday that it has selected Stratos Mobile Networks, Canada, as its satellite service provider for a complete fishing vessel-tracking system designed by Racal-Thorn Wells, U.K.
The system will allow the Ministry of Fisheries to monitor all
fishing vessels entering Moroccan waters via the Racal Locator system
and Stratos’ Inmarsat-C satellite services.
“Stratos’ extensive satellite network experience in the maritime
industry made it the obvious choice to help us track fishing vessels
in our waters,” said Karim Bernoussi, Director of Human Resources
and General Affairs of the Moroccan Ministry of Fisheries.
“Stratos provided a very competitive bid that also included a
commitment to training and customer support, excellent network
facilities, a high quality of service and its skill in marine data
messaging applications.”
Stratos Mobile Networks will ensure smooth ship-to-shore as well
as shore-to-ship transmission of all position reports and messages
through its global Inmarsat-C network, which also provides complete
connectivity to Internet, fax, telex, X.400, X.25 and ISDN.
Racal are currently supplying an advanced Vessel Monitoring
System for the Moroccan Ministry of Fisheries, Navy and Air
Gendermerie.
“We’re well known in the international fishing community for our
vessel-tracking services and the pioneering work we’ve done with
Inmarsat-C messaging,” explained Derrick Rowe, President and CEO of
Stratos Mobile Networks.
“By partnering with experts like Racal, Stratos is able to
provide a service that exactly meets the customer’s requirements.”
Earlier this year, Stratos and Racal were awarded a contract for
vessel-tracking services for the Canadian Coast Guard.
The Locator system was developed by Racal-Thorn Wells, Somerset,
U.K. and is an important element of the extensive vessel and
vehicle-tracking capabilities existing within the Racal Electronics
Group. The Group has annual sales of over $2 billion US with
products including advanced radar systems and radio communications.
Stratos Mobile Networks is a multi-network mobile satellite
service provider offering a diverse portfolio of communications
services, to users working in a variety of maritime and land
industries, such as international shipping, fishing, offshore oil and
gas projects, cruise, yachting, mining, humanitarian aid
organizations, journalism, UN peace-keeping operations, and
government agencies such as fisheries enforcement, Coast Guard and
Emergency Measures.
