2nd September 2015
It has been five years since brave young Australian sailor Jessica Watson, returned from her solo voyage around the world, and in light of this we wanted to take a moment to reflect back on her amazing journey and the role that satellite communications played in making it all happen. In 2010, at the age of just 16, Jessica Watson set out in her 34-foot yacht ‘Ella’s Pink Lady’, travelling from Australia’s East Coast, across the equator, passing South America and South Africa, all the way back to Sydney, Australia, covering almost 23,000 nautical miles in the process. She was the youngest person to complete solo southern hemisphere circumnavigation.
Whilst on her solo voyage, Jessica Watson relied on satellite communications equipment to ensure she was always in contact with her team, friends and family whilst at sea where normal terrestrial networks and telecommunications are not available. Satcom Global are proud to have provided Jessica with satellite communications equipment during her journey, consisting of two handheld satellite phones and a Sailor FB250, which runs off Inmarsat’s FleetBroadband maritime satellite service . This combination of satellite communications equipment created a voice and data solution which gave Jessica a reliable critical communications lifeline for the 210 days she was at sea. This solution ensured Jessica was able to communicate daily, whether it was sending video clips, receiving weather updates or checking emails. During her time at sea she wrote a daily blog for her website and explained her communications use:
‘For everyone who's been curious about how I keep in touch with the rest of the world I thought I'd explain the communications equipment on board Ella's Pink Lady. First off, I'd like to say a huge thanks to Satcom Global, the amazing guys who have provided all the satellite gear for me. To start with, I've got two handheld satellite phones (one lives in the grab bag ready for me to take with me if I ever had to abandon ship). Most days the satellite phone is a completely clear line and it's as if you're right next door to the person you're talking to rather than out in the middle of the ocean! Then I've got internet connection through a small satellite dome on the stern called the sailor 250. This is what enables me to send video clips, pictures, blogs and emails…’
Courtesy of www.JessicaWatson.com
At Satcom Global, we can provide the satellite communications to meet your maritime needs, whether a small recreational yacht or a large commercial vessel, we will work with you to create a satellite communications solution tailored to meet your requirements. During Jessica’s voyage she used a Sailor FB250, which provided her with reliable and constant voice and data connectivity through Inmarsat’s FleetBroadband service. Please visit our maritime satellite solutions page for all our FleetBroadband options and related satellite terminals, as well as any other satellite solution you require – maritime, including VSAT, land, handheld, Smartphone to Satphone or M2M. Feel free to also email your friendly local sales team at oceania@satcomglobal.com with any questions you have. Happy Sailing!
« Back to news