Marine INMARSAT-C is a two-way store and forward communication system that uses satellites to transmit messages from ship-to-shore, shore-to-ship, and ship-to-ship. It is widely used for maritime safety, navigation, communication, and data exchange.

Features and Benefits

  • Marine INMARSAT-C operates on the L-band frequency range, which is less affected by rain and atmospheric conditions than higher frequencies.
  • Marine INMARSAT-C provides global coverage, except for the polar regions.
  • Marine INMARSAT-C supports various types of messages, such as email, SMS, telex, chart, and weather updates.
  • Marine INMARSAT-C is the first-ever service approved to meet the requirements of the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) for Ship Security Alert Systems (SSAS). This means that vessels equipped with Marine INMARSAT-C can send and receive near real-time distress and safety alerts with one dedicated button.
  • Marine INMARSAT-C also enables vessels to receive Enhanced Group Calls (EGC), which are broadcast messages from SafetyNET, SafetyNETII, and RescueNET services. These messages contain essential navigational and weather warnings, forecasts, and other urgent safety information.
  • Marine INMARSAT-C can also be used to comply with the IMO requirement for Long Range Identification and Tracking (LRIT), which allows authorities to monitor the location and identity of vessels. It can also support other vessel monitoring and polling applications, such as fishing catch reporting.
  • Marine INMARSAT-C is a low-cost system that is easy to install and maintain. The above deck unit comprises an omnidirectional antenna and compact transceiver designed for any size of vessel.

Technical Specifications

ParameterValue
Frequency bandL-band (1.5 – 1.6 GHz)
ModulationBPSK
Data rate600 bps
Message sizeUp to 32 kB
Antenna size25 – 30 cm diameter
Antenna weight2 – 3 kg
Transceiver size20 x 20 x 5 cm
Transceiver weight2 kg
Power supply10 – 32 V DC
Power consumption10 – 15 W