Sea-Fi

[Collision-course]

The Port of Cork has become the first wi-fi enabled port in Ireland , see here for more http://www.corkharbour.ie/pages/newsDisplay.php?id=242

Cork Harbour First Port to Receive Free Wi-Fi Network


The new wi-fi network will enhance data transfer for many purposes including research, education, navigation and marine defence.

Cork Harbour is the first port in Ireland to have a fully operational free wi-fi network.

SeaFi is a wireless network covering the navigational areas of Cork Harbour, from just off Roches Point to areas such as Fairway and East Channel. The system has recently been installed by IMERC-based company Sea-Tech in partnership with Nova Networks and with the support of the Irish Naval Service. Once properly rigged by a Sea-Tech operative, vessels of any size, in range of a base station, can use SeaFi.

Anyone requiring transfer of data at sea will appreciate the new system, which is operating at average speeds far superior to satellite communication. It is also significantly cheaper to operate than satellite. For instance, many research vessels have to physically transfer data to shore on hardware devices. Wireless transfer will transform how these vessels operate.

SeaFi has already been successfully used by the Port of Cork tugboat, 'Denis Murphy'. According to Arnaud Disant of Sea-Tech, 'what SeaFi will do for Denis Murphy is very simple. Everywhere the multicat will be on lower harbour, it will be able to send and receive emails, images, access our cameras all around cork harbour. Denis Murphy could easily be equipped with its own cameras so Cork habour operation could survey and assess situations in real time.'

The February edition of the Nautilus International Telegraph said that all ports should endeavor to provide free wi-fi coverage. In reality very few ports have such capability, but Cork now has thanks to SeaFi. This is not a marina style wi-fi network, but a highly advanced system capable of transferring data throughout the harbour area.

The new wi-fi network will enhance data transfer for many purposes including research, education, navigation and marine defence.