MES specialises in the design, supply and installation of bridge, navigation and communications suites, using the best available commercial marine technology. An understanding of modern naval and offshore vessel operations, combined with an in-depth knowledge of all leading commercial marine equipment products and the implications of various ship classification society requirements, allows us to develop cost effective integrated solutions that satisfy and exceed rule requirements. Ergonomic bridge layouts and integrated solutions deliver the functionality that operators need for safe ship operation.
MES designs bespoke conning displays - click here
Communications are vital in modern ships whether they are merchant ships,
warships or coastguard vessels.
MES meets the needs of the Coastguard, OPV, Auxiliary and Patrol Vessel market by providing bespoke communications systems solutions at an affordable price using commercial off the shelf equipment where we can, and military equipment to meet the more demanding secure communications environment.
MES has been supplying merchant ship communications for over 30 years.
MES installed Europe’s very first newbuild GMDSS sea area A3 compliant radio station onto the LPG carrier TARQUIN GLEN.
Operational Communications
A typical military communications outfit for a minor war vessel or coastguard vessel will comprise tactical V/UHF and MF/HF transceivers linked via cryptographic equipment and possibly an intercom communications matrix to enable operators to communicate on their chosen circuit via voice or data from key positions such as bridge, operations room or flight deck. We will consult closely with the shipyard and the end customer to provide robust, affordable solutions tailored to their needs.
Civil Communications
The typical MES civil communications package will incorporate a radiostation which meets the requirements of the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS). Sometimes the systems are tailored to better enable the vessel to conduct SAR operations. Other elements of the civil communications system will be Satcom (e.g. Inmarsat, Iridium or VSAT terminals) and mobile telephone, both of which will be integrated to the ships internal communications system.
MES provides tailored flexible CCTV systems based on a range of equipment suitable for harsh marine environments. From a fully integrated PTZ camera through to a high resolution display using infrastructures based on traditional copper cable right through to fibre optics and the latest in PoE (Power over Ethernet) IP based systems. MES can be relied upon to provide a cost-effective high quality video surveillance and monitoring package suitable for day to day use to counter security threats to both crew and vessel.
Systems can be delivered with a wide range of cameras, matrices and ancillary units such
as digital recording / multiplexing or integrated systems using a mixture of conventional CCD cameras to high-end thermal imaging cameras with or without telemetry control capabilities.
Stabilised thermal imaging equipment to enable night time vision is an increasing requirement in all maritime sectors. MES provides integrated solutions linking electro-optical equipment with the ship’s radar and other sensors to provide enhanced sensor control and hence situational awareness. We will assist the customer on equipment selection in this complex marketplace of cooled and uncooled thermal imagers and vastly varying performance and price brackets.
In order to design an internal communications system for a warship or offshore support vessel it is important to have an understanding of how the vessel is manned and operates. There is a tendency to base the internal communications matrix on a compartment by compartment basis. However, it is people not compartments that need to communicate... Our design process takes particular account of who needs to talk to who and what about. For example, at action stations, the level of criticality might dictate a simple robust point to point communication substation rather that a sophisticated feature rich substation that might be difficult to operate.
Usual Scope of Communications
The typical MES communications package will incorporate systems such as main broadcast, telephone, damage control communications, gunnery and conning intercoms as well as wireless communications. Usually there will be integration to the external communications subsystem via a voice matrix to enable operators to talk to the other units.
Currently, the demand for VOIP (Voice over IP) systems in on the increase and MES will be happy to discuss the benefits of this technology on ships.
Crew Entertainment & CCTV
These systems often fall within the internal communications scope and MES can supply Sat TV systems, TV on demand, SRE and CCTV systems, again tailored to meet the individual ship requirements.