Faria WatchDog® LRIT System Now Certified for Operation on Iridium Satellite Network

UNCASVILLE, Conn. and BETHESDA, Md., March 17 /PRNewswire/ -- Faria WatchDog®, Inc. announces that its WatchDog 750 long-range identification and tracking (LRIT) ship terminal has successfully completed the compliance and test requirements for operation on the Iridium satellite network. Faria WatchDog, Inc. is a leading supplier of satellite vessel monitoring systems (VMSs).

Iridium LRIT certification ensures its Value-Added Manufacturers' (VAMs) devices comply with the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Resolution MSC.210(81) requirements, which establish performance standards for LRIT shipboard systems. With the Iridium certification, the WatchDog 750 is ready to provide a reliable and robust LRIT solution to the maritime industry. The solution also now leverages Iridium's low-latency data links, high network quality and satellite coverage over all the world's navigable waters, including the extreme Polar Regions. The certification also ensures product compatibility with the Iridium network.

Greg Ewert, Iridium executive vice president of Global Distribution Channels, said, "The Iridium satellite network meets all IMO requirements for serving as an LRIT communications service provider (CSP). Importantly, Iridium is the only CSP offering LRIT coverage over all the world's navigable waters, including Sea Area A4, which encompasses Polar waters above 70 degrees latitude. Vessels sailing in those regions are required to carry an approved Iridium LRIT terminal, since it is the only way to satisfy the international regulatory requirement."

"The WatchDog 750 LRIT terminal is built on our proven Iridium-based VMS technology, which is in use on commercial fishing vessels around the world to meet regulatory requirements for tracking and monitoring," said Mark O'Brien, vice president and general manager of Faria WatchDog, Inc. "The Faria WatchDog 750 LRIT solution provides the same performance and reliability found in our WatchDog VMS systems which, on a monthly basis, transfer millions of vessel position reports, e-forms and messages over the Iridium satellite network. Now, the WatchDog 750 terminal provides a cost-effective solution to meet the international LRIT carriage requirements for vessels operating in near-coastal Sea Area A2 and Polar Sea Area A4. The Faria WatchDog VMS is type approved by the following fishery regulatory bodies: the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA); the Pacific Island Forum Fisheries Agency (for its 16 member countries); the National Fishery Authority Papua New Guinea; and the Norwegian, Australian and New Zealand fishery agencies."

The Faria WatchDog 750 comes as a complete kit, including the satellite modem and 16-channel GPS receiver in a rugged injection-molded case. The package includes all connectors and harnesses, GPS and Iridium antennas with mounts, and 28 feet of antenna cables.

The IMO LRIT carriage requirement came into effect Jan. 1, 2009. It applies to all passenger ships including high-speed craft, all cargo vessels of 300 gross tons or larger, and all mobile offshore drilling units. All subject ships built after Jan. 1, 2009 must be fitted with an approved LRIT device, and existing ships must comply no later than the first radio survey after that date.

The WatchDog LRIT ship terminal transmits all required information in an LRIT automatic position report, including the identity and position coordinates of the ship with a date and time stamp. It also provides LRIT data to any authorized application service provider with on-demand polling rates down to the required 15-minute reporting interval.

About Iridium

Iridium Satellite LLC (www.iridium.com) is the only mobile satellite service (MSS) company offering coverage over the entire globe. The Iridium constellation of low-earth orbiting (LEO) cross-linked satellites provides critical voice and data services for areas not served by terrestrial communication networks. Iridium's subscriber growth has been driven by increasing demand for reliable, global communications. Iridium serves commercial markets through a worldwide network of hundreds of distributors, and provides services to the U.S. Department of Defense, and other U.S. and international government agencies. The company's customers represent a broad spectrum of industry, including maritime, aeronautical, government/defense, public safety, utilities, oil/gas, mining, forestry, heavy equipment and transportation. Iridium has launched a major development program for its next-generation satellite constellation, Iridium NEXT, which will result in continued and new Iridium MSS offerings. The company is headquartered in Bethesda, Md. and is currently privately held.

About Faria WatchDog

Faria WatchDog, Inc. (www.fariawatchdog.com) develops, manufactures and delivers proven GPS vessel and vehicle tracking, communications, engine monitoring, emergency notification systems and telematic solutions. Faria's suite of applications integrates Iridium, GPS and GSM cellular communication technologies, and the Internet to provide real-time information about the location and status of vessels, vehicles, mobile resources and stationary equipment.

SOURCE: Iridium Satellite LLC

Web site: http://www.iridium.com/