CBO offshore vessel. Photo: CBO.

Companhia Brasileira de Offshore (CBO) has chosen Cobham Satcom Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT) and satellite TV antennas in addition to radio communication equipment for installation on six new Offshore Support Vessels (OSVs). CBO’s new OSVs have been commissioned to fulfill development contracts offshore Brazil and will be entering service during 2017 and 2018.

The Cobham Satcom equipment has been installed and is already supporting operations on the first of the new OSVs, with installation aboard the second vessel scheduled this month. Installation on the remaining four vessels, which are still in production at Oceana Shipyard in Itajai, in the state of Santa Catarina, Brazil, will continue through 2017.

With a fleet of 27 OSVs mostly fitted with Sailor and Sea Tel satellite and radio communications technology, CBO is one of the largest offshore ship owners in Brazil and as such is a key operational partner for oil and gas companies in the region. Cobham Satcom’s Brazilian partner Inovsat, which manages the majority of CBO’s on board communication technology and services, will also provide support for the equipment contract.

CBO’s new Anchor Handling Tug Supply Vessels (AHTSs) are OSVs designed to carry out anchor handling, towing and platform supply operations, carrying a wide variety of cargoes, from liquid to bulk cargo. All six vessels will feature two Cobham Satcom Ku-band VSAT antennas: a Sea Tel 4009 dedicated to client networks on board and a Sailor 900 VSAT for ship operational and crew networks.

For crew welfare, while Sailor 900 VSAT will provide access to connectivity for browsing the internet, a Sea Tel ST80 TV system will provide satellite TV for communal areas on board. A complete Sailor 6000 A3 Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) package will also ensure long and short range operational and safety communication. The contract includes product training, which Inovsat conducted in May.