Sailing Magazine
The first Frequentis coastal maritime system will be installed in South Africa for the South African Department of Transport through Telkom Maritime Services who will receive a Frequentis solution for a Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS).The Frequentis System will replace the old coastal Maritime Distress Communications System (MDCS) and will service coastal waters, along a coastline extending for 2,800 kilometres.
Working with the South African company AME Telecommunications (Pty) Ltd as Prime contractor, Frequentis will install its Maritime Communication System (MCS) 3020 IP and Tracking and Tracing System (T&T) for the Centre in Cape Town, the back-up facility in Klipheuwel and all its Remote Sites. The system will ensure search and rescue authorities onshore, ships in the immediate vicinity of a vessel, or person, in distress, will be rapidly alerted to a distress incident. The Frequentis system will also be capable of transmitting voice messages, weather forecasts and navigation warnings on any selected HF transmitter/s and VHF transmitter/s in any combination from any operator workstation.
“The Frequentis maritime information solution, T&T, provides a solid foundation for a fully integrated maritime solution, while the MCS allows the transmission and receipt of DSC (Area A1, A3), NAVTEX as well as the capability to listen to a combined CH16 radio feed and combined HF receiver feed. We are looking forward to providing this global distress and safety system to South Africa and assisting them with enhanced communications”, says Khashayar Saravandi-Rad Frequentis Director Maritime.
AME chose the Frequentis solution based on Frequentis’ wealth of experience in the field of Maritime communication, and voice communication systems in general. The MCS 3020 IP system is a highly-flexible communication system featuring a fail-safe design and a broad range of radio and telephone functionality. This state-of-the-art system will provide improved situational awareness for search and rescue along the South African coast operated by the Maritime Department of Telkom South Africa.
“We successfully completed Factory Acceptance Testing in Vienna, showcasing the full range of capabilities of the Frequentis product, tailored for the needs of our South African System. We are looking forward to setting the system onsite and fully trust the experience of our partner, Frequentis”, said Marius Schoeman AME
