Search & Rescue Exercise Streamed Live Thanks to Cobham Satcom

High performance and reliability of SAILOR VSAT technology proven during large-scale search and rescue exercise in Cyprus

Cobham SATCOM partner Tototheo has deployed a SAILOR 900 VSAT system in support of the Cyprus Joint Rescue Coordination Centre (JRCC) Larnaca and the large-scale multinational Search and Rescue (SAR) exercise ‘NEMESIS 2015’. The exercise took place within the Exclusive Economic Zone of the Republic of Cyprus on 1st July. Air and naval search and rescue units as well as personnel from Cyprus, the State of Israel, Greece and the USA took part. The objective of NEMESIS 2015 was to simulate the planning, preparation and execution of a multinational joint search and rescue exercise designed to prepare the teams for effective response in search and rescue missions and other humanitarian operations in the region.

SAILOR 900 VSAT used in multinational Search and Rescue (SAR) exercise ‘NEMESIS 2015’

The exercise involved a number of air and sea craft including: nine warships, an oil platform, an oil tanker, antipollution vessels, two Port & Marine Police ships, four helicopters and two airplanes. The scenario itself was divided in four phases and dealt with a serious accident in open sea, within an area where oil and gas rigs are operating along with their supporting vessels.

To enable the greatest learning from the exercise, a SAILOR 900 VSAT antenna system supplied by the team at Cobham SATCOM in conjunction with their partner Tototheo, was installed on the EDT Flying Enterprise offshore supply vessel. With the world’s most advanced and reliable antenna of its class on board, the official camera crew were able to transfer live high definition video footage of the exercise to coordinators and stakeholders in the rescue coordination centre.

“With the help of the robust, reliable SAILOR 900 VSAT system from Cobham SATCOM combined with iDirect technology, we were always confident that we could enable great coverage of the exercise at the best possible quality, based on the 1 metre antenna link budget,” said Eugene Vardas, VSAT specialist at Tototheo Trading ltd. “We couldn’t have achieved this without the reliability and precision of the SAILOR 900 VSAT system.” About the SAILOR 900 VSAT
The SAILOR 900 VSAT is established as the world’s most advanced and reliable 1 metre 3-axis stabilised Ka-band antenna system. Based on the innovative SAILOR VSAT technology platform, it enables service providers to deliver unmatched reliability and link uptime, while introducing significant procurement and installation benefits.

Every SAILOR 900 VSAT antenna system comes factory-tested and equipped with standardised high quality RF components (8W BUC, LNBs, OMT/diplexer). The antenna is shipped fully balanced, configured and does not need work prior to installation, and it can be commissioned without the requirement for line-up or calling the Network Operations Centre (NOC). It uses a single cable between antenna and below deck equipment for RF, power and data, whilst advanced features such as Automatic Azimuth Calibration (home flag) and Automatic Cable Calibration, enable the unique ability to commission a SAILOR VSAT antenna far quicker than any other antenna.

Supporting both procurement and operation, SAILOR 900 VSAT and other SAILOR VSAT technology based antennas are the only maritime VSAT systems to feature Dynamic Motor Brakes, which remove the requirement for mechanical brake straps, ensuring the antenna is kept in balance during no-power situations, at sea or in transport.