Offshore staff
BECCLES, UK – Fern Communications’ FRX-1 radio repeater has undergone field trials offshore Qatar.
For Qatargas to load condensate from various fixed point mooring (FPM) outlets offshore, the bow of the tanker had to be directly in front of the FPM.
The radio communications signals used during these manoeuvres were repeatedly attenuated by the tanker’s steel structure, which is within the line of sight between the bridge of the vessel and the FPM, located at sea level. This caused the radio signal to break down, affecting communications between the bridge and vessel crew.
To provide uninterrupted communications between the bridge and the crew, Fern tested the FRX-1 onboard a tanker during normal loading operations. Over a four-day period, the Fern team worked with tanker crew to demonstrate two FRX-1 units, both UHF and VHF. By positioning the FRX-1 unit strategically on the vessel, the radio signal could travel from one crew member’s radio, around the steel structure, and to the receiving crew member’s radio.
“The FRX-1 proved time and again that the radio signal could be reliably maintained, which convinced us to invest in units for our crews to use offshore,” said Qatargas. “With the FRX-1, we are confident that positioning of our condensate tankers will be more precise and efficient, in addition to providing the crew with greater overall communication and safety onboard.”
08/18/2011
