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Overview
Inmarsat
As Race Partner and official satellite communications provider to the Volvo Ocean Race 2011-12, Inmarsat’s satellite technology is a key enabler for all aspects of the race – for position reporting, sending live video footage or photos of on-board action to the world’s media, providing safety communications in the event of an accident, and for boosting crew morale by enabling them to call and email their loved ones back home.
Inmarsat’s FleetBroadband service takes media coverage of the race into a whole new era. Faster transmission speeds deliver better quality live broadcasts – the first HDTV transmissions from yachts in the middle of the ocean.
In recognition of the role broadcast media plays in bringing the excitement of the race to billions of spectators and delivering millions of dollars in valuable media coverage for race sponsors, Inmarsat will again present its Media Crew Member (MCM) Award of 1,000 Euros (US$1,358) on each leg of the race, plus a 10,000 Euro (US$13,585) prize for the best overall contribution to race coverage.
Each Volvo Open 70 race boat will be fitted with a FleetBroadband 500 terminal, delivering voice and high-speed data communications. Competitors in the Volvo Ocean Race 2011-12 will be the first sailors with access to the new ‘red button’ safety service on FleetBroadband, giving instant one-touch contact with maritime rescue coordination centres. Also onboard will be a compact FleetBroadband 150 for crew voice calling and IP data, two Mini-C systems for constant positioning data and additional global safety communications. In addition, the race is endorsing IsatPhone Pro, Inmarsat's new global satellite phone, by including it in the boats' safety kits.
