Connecting the ship from remote environment

Dear Customers,

 We have explained how to build using cloud services (Office365, G-suite) where a company can connect with ships released before on our ORCA NEWS ” Building a remote-work environment that can coordinate with ships”. This time, we will explain the steps to connect to the ship using onshore remote work environment. 

1.Implementation of environmental communications required for the ship

 Onshore cloud services (Office365, G-suite) are services using internet connection, therefore, the vessel-side also needs constant connectable broadband internet for this access. There are many broadband environments available to vessels and functions that can be put to practical use for each performance are as follows:

          ＊Connection cost is based on the premise of fixed charge contract.

 Unfortunately, even the latest FX environment cannot secure enough bandwidth for smooth video conference. Please note that it is somehow serviceable. 

 If 3G/4G connection can be used at port, you can obtain a realistic performance for video conferencing as well. As for vessels already installed with FX, please use 3G/4G connection at port for better performance.

 In addition, 3G/4G connections are available for vessels that do not have broadband lines. The current corona virus situation is making increasingly difficult to install new VSAT/FX, therefore, we recommend providing ships with 3G/4G connection for the time being.

 If communication line conditions are already met, communication port permission settings used by each service is required. We will also assist you for this requirement.

2.Account creation for vessels

 The vessel-side also needs an account in order to use the above cloud services between vessel and shore. In the case of Office365 and Skype, the vessel creates an account with email address currently used by the vessel. For vessel using G-suite, create an account with @gmail.com. 

 An important thing to note in this occasion is that you do not create the vessel account with the company’s domain. It will prevent vessel from entering corporate cloud when vessel logs in with the ship account. This is for cyber security reasons and we will explain for this on another occasion. 

3.Vessel PC settings  

 Once you have an account chat, call and video conferencing will be available to the ship as well.

 Activate and while logged in will allow you to communicate with each other.

4.Use of smartphone for vessels

 The above communications can be operated on a PC, but it is effective to use a dedicated smartphone or tablet on the vessel. On time communication can be initiated when required because the captain constantly carries the smartphone. In addition to that, smartphones can be used in the case of an accident or meetings outside of captain’s cabin as they can be moved through the ship. 

  A dedicated wireless WIFI-AP is installed to connect smartphone with onboard LAN. You may take advantage of our ORiON Plus Mail Premium which provides this smartphone to the installation of WIFI-AP in total. 

 The above is the way of vessel/shore connection using the latest cloud services. Improvements in communication lines have enabled up to this level, though implementation is needed for both the vessel and shore. We believe the implementation has become increasingly important under this time’s new corona virus situation.

We are supporting these implementations. Please feel free to contract us if you are interested.