Monday next, February 6th, is our first get together as a class, the mini lab is almost ready, 5 laptops, couple of PCs a bunch of GPS, couple of AIS too, a few spares, hard drives solid state, routers, hubs, firewalls, name it, it fits in 6 flight crates, not to mention software, Polar Navy, some Transas software, Chandler CH Marine is also helping to source some hardware, I am truly amazed with the wave of enthusiasm the course is generating, people willing to drive miles (from Dublin to Cork) to attend is just incredible... I am very busy with the course material and the practicals for each night we will be meeting... 

I have made a few posts on internet, also initiated a discussion group on Linkedin for Marine I.T. Technologists, and some chaps registered on the course have joined already the group not to mention others who aren't on the group but have an intake in Marine I.T. Technology, coders, chandlers, etc...

For my own records, I have named the group "Jacques Cousteau", he was a French naval officer, explorer, ecologist, filmmaker, innovator, scientist, photographer, author and researcher who studied the sea and all forms of life in water. What better name for the first batch of Marine I.T. Technologists than the one of a man who liked to call himself an "oceanographic technician."

Fix-I.T.is teaming up with the National Maritime College of Ireland to deliver a Marine Data Communication & Networking course. The first course will start in 2012 on January 16th. It is a great opportunity for students, professionals and leisure sailors to learn about marine computer systems.

Read more: Marine I.T. Course

Last night was pitch dark in Cork, the harbour waters were almost
spooky, black waters and no light. The moon is on a waxing crescent right now, and we merely had a ten percent moonlight last night. It reminded me of that year I was based with my regiment in French Guyana and during exercises we would sail at full speed in the dark with nothing but stars to guide us. Now technology have improved... In the comfort of my study at home, I was listening to harbour operations on my scanner and decided I would test my new AIS receiver.

Read more: Nice breakthrough in A.I.S.

It's been a few weeks now since I am working with Nicolae Cismaru in Fanurio. Trying to contribute to what I am tempted to call a master piece of programing for the sole trader and SMB community. See, Fanurio works on Mac, Linux and Windows, this way it does not matter if you have made the strategical decision to go one or another route when you've started your business. Fanurio is a great time tracking software. This year it helped us increasing our revenue, not leaving any time un-invoiced behind after a project was closed and billed. It also helps with reconciliation and soon it will help

Read more: Working with the Fanurio lads from Romania

In Decembre 2010, our Wicklow based Marine surveillance station has reached 99.8% avaialbility (2154 hours online / 2158 total hours).

Fix I.T. Marine IT Surveillance Project, aims to provide a better picture of marine traffic in/around Ireland. This station was launched on April 2006 in Cork (call sign OCEAN Alpha), was then rebuilt on Linux using a recycled receiver, an IBM T30 running CentOS Linux with AIS Dispatcher. The station was relocated in July 2011 to Wicklow at the entrance to the Irish Sea. This AIS Station is entirely built with recycled IT spare parts. If you are interested in Marine IT for any commercial or private purpose, please call +353 21 4849102. 

The system is based on AIS (Automatic Identification System). As from December 2004, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) requires all vessels over 299GT to carry an AIS transponder on board, which transmits their position, speed and course, among some other static information, such as vessel’s name, dimensions and voyage details. 

The most spectacular aspect of our setup is the area covered with recycled IT spare parts, today at the time writing this article: 6273 square kilometers. The average reception distance is 28.97 Nautical Miles but we have recorded positions at 55.88 NM. Our station has monitored up to 29 vessels simultaneously, computing up to 396 positions at a time.

Read more: FIX-I.T. Marine: Lighthouse Ocean 1 score 99.8% availability on Marine Traffic.

It's been a year now, since I delivered this training in the middle of Atlantic, Marine I.T. is not just about networking a computer with another to transmit marine data information. It's also about linking together the boat, the satellite and the crew. It's about
troubleshooting in hostile environment. It's about information and processing. Stephen has been at sea for over a year now, his training has served him well, a day after another Stephen has used his Marine I.T. skills almost as much as he has been using his sailing skills. There is not yet any formal course geared toward Marine I.T. Engineering... or should I say Marine I.T. Technologist. Let's work at it!