Over 100 years ago, seafarers in peril took advantage of communications technology to call for help, using their radio telegraph equipment to tap out the familiar “S O S” (“Save Our Ship” or • • • — — — • • •) call for help. On October 1, a new safety service for mariners – 505 Emergency Calling – will be launched across the world by Inmarsat, the leading provider of global mobile satellite communications, for all FleetBroadband users.
Owners of Inmarsat FleetBroadband-compatible TracPhone® satellite communications systems from KVH Industries, Inc., [Nasdaq: KVHI] can take advantage immediately when the service goes live on October 1, 2009 because KVH’s full line of Inmarsat FleetBroadband systems are 100 percent compatible with the new, no-charge 505 service. Just by dialing 505 from their TracPhone telephones, users can activate the 24-hour service, which routes calls directly to Coast Guard rescue centers worldwide.
“The new 505 service is a fantastic enhancement for our TracPhone FleetBroadband customers,” says Jim Dodez, KVH’s vice president of marketing and strategic planning. “Particularly for smaller vessels that do not carry a GMDSS-compliant system, 505 is ideal. It’s easy to remember because of its similarity to “SOS,” and connects mariners directly to top-notch emergency services wherever they are – even when out of reach of shore-based VHF radio. Of course, it’s a great backup for larger commercial vessels, as well. We couldn’t be happier to make this valuable service available to our Inmarsat FleetBroadband customers.”
KVH’s complete line of Inmarsat FleetBroadband-compatible TracPhone systems offer mariners safety and convenience, no matter what kind of vessel they own. The TracPhone FB150, FB250, and FB500 offer the reliability of Inmarsat’s proven satellite network, along with KVH’s industry-leading quality and service.
There is no subscription or call charge for the 505 emergency service – and it can be activated immediately just by dialing 505 from a KVH TracPhone FleetBroadband system. After dialing 505, voice calls will be connected via Inmarsat directly to a 24-hour operational Coast Guard Rescue Co-ordination Center located strategically around the globe, so they can speak to the right person if they have an emergency onboard, such as their boat being in difficulties or a medical emergency.
