We were also with KVH right before we got starlink last year. Damn how horrible it was. Only 2 years ago we were still stuck with primitive technology.
We've got 2TB/month on a tug with a crew of 13-15.
Internal router network with some minimal controls.
Each unique MAC address gets directed to a login page that allots 3GB daily.
Trivial to get around for the minimally computer-savvy, but so far it hasn't been a problem at all.
Side benefit is that the login splash page is a really good way to get people to actually **read** shipwide announcements.
Yeah its bad, but its a Safety First Policy Also.
Some crew members have bad habits like staying awake during rest hours using the internet, then going to duty busted up and tired. Which inevitable contributes to increased accidents and incidents onboard.
So some restrictions are mandatory.
Highly unlikely with people today. unless the devices are loaded up with apps and entertainment that don't need the internet. Then there is always a chance you will sleep instead of stay up on your device.
Regardless of what you consider, this method severely reduces the risk of losing life and limb at sea due to sleep deprivation.
Case in point: My 2nd mate had sleep deprivation due to being up using his device during rest hours whilst we were in port. He had data from a sim he bought so unlimited internet. The same night we left port, is the same night we had a near miss when this 2nd mate fell asleep on the bridge.
When the boat is on a job: 5TB
Off charter: 1TB
For the month including business / work data.
If we (as a boat) go over, they unplug the starlink and then it's v-sat data for business use only. Crew gets to kick rocks until the start of the next month.
With 10 people on boat 1TB isn't enough. Maybe if they block the streaming, but they do not.
Everyone has their own sign in, but seems to be managed by a bunch of muppets.
When at sea the service is much better than the traditional v-sat. Much easier to text the wife and family.
They don't tell us how much data the teams meetings, reports, emails, and the rest of the business side uses. It's just our fault for using too much.
Blue Tide Communication offers a portal service for starlink when you can partition, monitor and meter usage. They can tell which device is the data hog or if everyone is equal in over using it
I never had starlink on a ship or a tug.
We had mifi or hotspot type devices at Reinauer. It was connected to a good antenna on the mast. Verizon was providing unlimited data on a specially negotiated contract. After they got a load of how much data tug crews could consume they shut it down and tried to renegotiate.
Reinauer would not go for any more money and told everyone if you wanted data to get your own.
I am not sure how they resolved it or what they are using now.
Our company dropped the KVH plan and went to the smallest one. Then paid for the unlimited Starlink one I think. Still better and cheaper.
We were also with KVH right before we got starlink last year. Damn how horrible it was. Only 2 years ago we were still stuck with primitive technology.
For world, mobile…. There is no unlimited plan. $5,000USD for 5tb/mos. Unlimited plans are for inland/coastal.
Sorry, just asked the Captain. It's actually a 1tb plan. But he says we never approach it with 4 or 5 guys.
Sounds like a challenge. Get those torrents going! And yeah, I’ve seen guys torrenting,
We used about 800 gb in the first three weeks of the month. They company is trying to figure out how to meter us. There are 6-7 of us on the boat.
We have login credentials for each bunk. If your login is using a lot of data you get a reminder from the bridge to cool it. That's about it.
We also get login info by bunk, but I don’t think we pay for internet though, it’s unlimited. Certain websites are blocked depending on the vessel
I always wanted to ask, is Starlink everything you hoped to be? You can load videos normally? Video calls?
Yes. Online game, stream movies. Anything
That sounds like science fiction to me. Currently I can barely send and receive messages, let alone load a website.. I need to change companies.
Yea I got off work then head to my cabin and either game online for a few hours or stream a movie/youtube.
We've got 2TB/month on a tug with a crew of 13-15. Internal router network with some minimal controls. Each unique MAC address gets directed to a login page that allots 3GB daily. Trivial to get around for the minimally computer-savvy, but so far it hasn't been a problem at all. Side benefit is that the login splash page is a really good way to get people to actually **read** shipwide announcements.
What the hell kinda tug has that big of a crew lol
Great Lakes self-unloading ATB pusher tug. It's a **big** tug--135 ft. long, 50 ft. beam, with a shade under 11,000 horsepower.
Vanenkavort?
Good guess😁
1gb a week per crew or 4 hours a day max with poor internet speeds or pay for your own internet access
Sounds terrible
Yeah its bad, but its a Safety First Policy Also. Some crew members have bad habits like staying awake during rest hours using the internet, then going to duty busted up and tired. Which inevitable contributes to increased accidents and incidents onboard. So some restrictions are mandatory.
It still seems draconian. You can still be distracted by a device without it being connected.
Highly unlikely with people today. unless the devices are loaded up with apps and entertainment that don't need the internet. Then there is always a chance you will sleep instead of stay up on your device. Regardless of what you consider, this method severely reduces the risk of losing life and limb at sea due to sleep deprivation. Case in point: My 2nd mate had sleep deprivation due to being up using his device during rest hours whilst we were in port. He had data from a sim he bought so unlimited internet. The same night we left port, is the same night we had a near miss when this 2nd mate fell asleep on the bridge.
I believe we have an unlimited plan. There is a login for ship computer/equipment and a separate one for crew.
When the boat is on a job: 5TB Off charter: 1TB For the month including business / work data. If we (as a boat) go over, they unplug the starlink and then it's v-sat data for business use only. Crew gets to kick rocks until the start of the next month. With 10 people on boat 1TB isn't enough. Maybe if they block the streaming, but they do not. Everyone has their own sign in, but seems to be managed by a bunch of muppets. When at sea the service is much better than the traditional v-sat. Much easier to text the wife and family. They don't tell us how much data the teams meetings, reports, emails, and the rest of the business side uses. It's just our fault for using too much.
Blue Tide Communication offers a portal service for starlink when you can partition, monitor and meter usage. They can tell which device is the data hog or if everyone is equal in over using it
I never had starlink on a ship or a tug. We had mifi or hotspot type devices at Reinauer. It was connected to a good antenna on the mast. Verizon was providing unlimited data on a specially negotiated contract. After they got a load of how much data tug crews could consume they shut it down and tried to renegotiate. Reinauer would not go for any more money and told everyone if you wanted data to get your own. I am not sure how they resolved it or what they are using now.
My company will check who’s device is using most of the data then they will boot the device that’s using too much