By
Rebecca Gibson |
The Port of Cork has partnered with Ringaskiddy-based company Sea-Fi Marine Data Communication to offer a fully operational Sea-Fi network to visiting commercial vessels.
Following a successful six-month trial period onboard two Port of Cork-owned vessels – Denis Murphy and Gerry O’Sullivan – Sea-Fi will provide an extensive network of wireless internet coverage across the port’s various terminals.
“Currently many commercial vessels visiting the Port of Cork use the internet via onboard sat-coms,” said Cork Harbour Master, Captain Paul O’Regan. “Offering a wifi service will mean they have a more efficient service when transferring large data and faster download speeds, which means cost savings for the ships equipped with a SeaFi Horizon ship station.”
All commercial ships sailing to or anchoring in, Cork Harbour will be able to access SeaFi Horizon wifi, while SeaFi Dockside will be available at Cobh Cruise Terminal, Ringaskiddy Deepwater Berth and Tivoli Container Terminal. Future plans include offering a similar service to all leisure craft using Cork Harbour.
“Very often crew have no access to the internet while in a port, but now with Port of Cork SeaFi Dockside service, crew will be able to access their emails and call their family with voice over internet protocol, greatly improving crew welfare,” said O’Regan.