how many bangs do the crew get for a buck? · how many bangs do the crew get for a buck? ewan...

How Many Bangs do the Crew Get for a Buck?

Ewan Robinson

Digital Ship Hamburg 2014

What do I know about our industry?


• Marine Technology & Navigation degree, specialising in Marine Computer Applications.

• Project management.• Country management of sales channels• Vessel communication budget compliance.• System Administration and Management• Support of systems and clients • System development for vessels• Communications analysis.• Communications Interface and System software design,• Remote vessel management solutions.• Citadel communications systems.• Vessel IT recovery systems.• Network penetration testing of office systems. • L-Band Expert witness testimony

MLC 2006


Brought Crew welfare and Communications for crew back into the spotlight.

Guideline B3.1.11 – Recreational facilities, mail and ship visit arrangements

4. Consideration should also be given to including the following facilities at nocost to the seafarer, where practicable:

(h) electronic equipment such as a radio, television, video recorders, DVD/CDplayer, personal computer and software and cassette recorder/player;

(i) where appropriate, the provision of bars on board for seafarers unless these are contrary to national, religious or social customs; and

(j) reasonable access to ship-to-shore telephone communications, and email and Internet facilities, where available, with any charges for the use of

these services being reasonable in amount.

Note: Bold and Italics are for presentation purposes.

MLC 2006


At 2012 DS Cyprus, it was said that:“… the cost of communications was ‘trivial’ compared to costs of bunkers/crew changes/crew costs, of hundreds of thousands per month.”

Very True.BUT

If you are a Filipino A/B, who earns approx. $1,000 per month, then any increase is very significant.“…with any charges for the use of these services being

reasonable in amount.”

What would a Crew want?


EverythingFor Nothing

Old AssumptionsNo Data, Just lots of Voice.Then some data, with lots of voice.And Now…

How Much Now?


MLC2006


“…with any charges for the use of these services being reasonable in amount.”

How price affects crew use


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Chat Mail Management News Service messages Web

MB Data

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So What do Crew Use - Bulker?


So What do Crew Use - Container?


How can we leverage our communications


Which generates more revenue, business or crew?

So why not utilise one to support the other more effectively?

What is there Now?

Digital Ship Athens 2013

Most providers have:

a ‘Black Box’ solution.

data/email/web browsing and separate voice facilities.

Crew is still an add-on to the business solution

a goal to get you in long term airtime agreements.


Thank You

how many bangs do the crew get for a buck? · how many bangs do the crew get for a buck? ewan...

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