In times of wars or emergencies, it falls to the Transportation DepartmentÂ’s Maritime Administration to ensure that U.S. cargo vessels are ready for use. The logistics role that merchant ships play for the Pentagon is a key aspect of the countryÂ’s defense strategy. To better perform that function, 44 ships in the fleet were outfitted with wired computer networks designed to allow the addition of wireless capabilities, said Donna Seymour, the agencyÂ’s chief information officer. The networked ships support logistics systems and communicate with bases onshore.
When the ships are at sea, they communicate via various satellite connections, and other broadband options are often available when theyÂ’re in port. To ensure that communications always use the most cost-effective connectivity, the vendors installed devices that automatically select the most efficient connectivity available.
With the new onboard networks, managers at the Maritime Administration can view logistics and vessel information nightly. The new system even lets ships share information with one another. If one vessel needs a particular pump for a repair part, the network can identify a vessel that might have one available. The new network also enables technicians to manage onboard computers and servers remotely. |