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| Influencing the Future of the the Maritime
Industry
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WISTA Board Members Louise Krenca and Catherine Bloomfield were recently
invited to attend a meeting of the Parliamentary Maritime Group at the House of
Lords. The Parliamentary Maritime Group is an all-party group of both Houses of
Parliament, British Members of the European Parliament and representatives of
certain companies and professional research and other organisations involved in
maritime activities and affairs. Headed by Lord Callagahan, the group meets
once a month to discuss issues of importance to the maritime industry.
During the meeting a special presentation "Advances in Maritime Satellite
Communications" was given by Martin Bath and John Sherwood of BT
Aeronautical and Maritime.
Satellite communications are now developing at a fast pace. BT highlighted
their use for electronic charts, location and position reporting, weather
services, cargo tracking and distress and safety amongst others.
Without endeavouring to report on the highly technical aspects of the new
technology, attendees were impressed at the compact size of the equipment now
available. The cargo tracking box was little bigger than a portable CD player.
BT reported that, with the aid of this devise, one of their clients had
recently caught their cargo being transported along the South American coast
instead of across the Atlantic. The advantage of this technology is that vessel
operators and cargo owners can detect within a matter of hours that their
valuable asset is being diverted. With the current rise in piracy this is a
highly valuable breakthrough. Piracy experts warn their clients that unless
steps to recover a vessel or cargo are taken very soon after such an act there
is little chance of recovery.
For further information on BT's technology contact Martin Bath or John Sherwood
on telephone no: 0171 843 7338.
WISTA members may be interested to know that the Committee boasts a membership
of 10 members of the House of Lords, 12 members of the House of Commons and 4
MEPS. Outside members include representatives from the Chamber of Shipping, the
Baltic Exchange, the Honorary Company of Master Mariners. NUMAST and the
British Maritime Equipment Council and others.
Members of the Parliamentary Maritime Group may be contacted directly at the
House of Commons or House of Lords. For details of the monthly meetings contact
the Group's Secretary, Commander Rankin on telephone no: 0181 748 4103.
WISTA - UK is pleased to announce that following discussions with Vice -
Admiral Sir Christopher Morgan, the Chamber of Shipping has kindly agreed to
support us. . |
