Marlink secured a three-year contract with Irish ferry operator Fastnet Line for Marlink’s Sealink service, the company announced Aug. 18.
     As part of the agreement, Marlink will deliver, install and operate its VSAT solution onboard Fastnet Line’s flagship vessel Julia, providing the ferry operator with bandwidth up to 128 kilobits per second as well as 10 simultaneous telephone channels and administration LAN connected to an Internet VPN service for vessel management, passenger and crew applications. Marlink routes its services to Fastnet Line through Marlink’s teleport in Eik, Norway.
     Based in Cork, Ireland, Fastnet Line has introduced an overnight route between Cork, Ireland and Swansea, Wales. "The installation of Marlink’s Sealink solution is inline with our ongoing commitment to offer our customers greater choice, as passengers will be able to take advantage of onboard Internet and telephone services, providing them with greater value during their journey with us,” Owen Barry, operations manager, Fastnet Line, said in a statement. “In addition, Sealink will improve operational efficiency by strengthening communications between the vessel and head office ashore and enabling crew to effectively stay in touch with friends and family at home, improving crew welfare.”