Marine Inmarsat-C (SAT-C) Repair, Antenna Testing & LRIT/SSAS Services in India
Seanav Marine is India’s foremost technical authority for commercial shipboard Marine Inmarsat-C (SAT-C) satellite systems, providing emergency transceiver repairs, active antenna dome renewals, Land Earth Station link margin diagnostics, and LRIT/SSAS conformance certifications across all Indian major ports and anchorages.
Seanav Marine delivers certified Marine Inmarsat-C (SAT-C) GMDSS Mobile Earth Station (MES) repair, active antenna replacement, coaxial cable VSWR testing, Land Earth Station (LES) Performance Verification Testing (PVT), Long-Range Identification and Tracking (LRIT) Conformance Testing, and Ship Security Alert System (SSAS) covert alert verification across all 400+ Indian commercial ports and anchorages (JNPT / Nhava Sheva, Mumbai, Kandla, Mundra, Cochin, Chennai, Visakhapatnam, Paradip, Haldia, Mormugao, Mangalore, Tuticorin). Supporting Cobham Sailor (Sailor 6110 / TT-3027C / TT-3000E), Furuno (FELCOM-18 / FELCOM-15 / FELCOM-19), and JRC (JUE-87 / JUE-85), our certified marine electronics engineers board 24/7 with RF power meters, spectrum analyzers, and authorized Point of Service Activation (PSA) tools to rectify "LOST SYNCH", "LOGIN FAILED / NO CARRIER", transmitter fault codes, and defective distress alerting compliant with SOLAS Chapter IV Regulation 10 Sea Area A3 mandates, IMO Resolution A.807(19), and MSC.263(84).
⚙️ Technical Specifications & Operational Coverage
| Supported Systems | Cobham Sailor (Sailor 6110 mini-C GMDSS / TT-3027C Antenna / TT-6018 Message Terminal / TT-3000E Capsat), Furuno (FELCOM-18 / FELCOM-19 / FELCOM-15), JRC (JUE-87 / JUE-85 GMDSS MES), Thrane & Thrane Capsat series |
|---|---|
| RF Characteristics | Transmit (Tx): 1626.5 – 1646.5 MHz (L-band); Receive (Rx): 1530.0 – 1545.0 MHz; EIRP: 10 – 14 dBW (omnidirectional pattern); G/T: -23.7 dB/K; 50 Ohm N-type RF interfaces with low-loss Ecoflex/RG-214 cabling |
| Integrated Functions | GMDSS Distress Alerting, Enhanced Group Call (EGC SafetyNET-II & FleetNET), Long-Range Identification & Tracking (LRIT IMO MSC.263(84)), Ship Security Alert System (SSAS IMO ISPS Code / MSC.147(77)), Two-Way Telex & Data Polling, Data Network Identifiers (DNID) |
| Hardware Architecture | Integrated Transceiver/Antenna Radome (mini-C), Dedicated Bridge Message Display Terminal, Marine Alarm & Distress Unit with dual illuminated distress buttons, OKI/Epson GMDSS Event Printer, 24V DC emergency backup changeover unit |
| Regulatory Mandate | SOLAS Chapter IV Reg 10.1.1 (Sea Area A3 GMDSS), IMO Resolution A.807(19), MSC.68(68) Annex 4, MSC.263(84) (LRIT), MSC.147(77) (SSAS), IEC 61097-4 (Inmarsat-C GMDSS), IEC 60945, DGS Engineering Circulars |
| Attendance SLA | Within 2 hours to berths at JNPT/Mumbai, Kandla, Mundra, Cochin, Chennai, Vizag, Paradip; 3-4 hours to outer anchorages via pilot launches |
🏷️ Supported OEM Brands & Equipment
Our engineers are equipped with manufacturer diagnostic keys, test software, and genuine spare parts for leading bridge electronics manufacturers:
📋 Standard 5-Step Marine Inmarsat-C GMDSS Overhaul & Testing SOP
-
Step 1: RF Antenna Dome, Radome Enclosure & Coaxial VSWR Sweep
Inspect masthead omnidirectional antenna radome for salt encrustation, UV embrittlement, and moisture ingress. Perform Time Domain Reflectometry (TDR) and Return Loss / VSWR sweep (target < 1.5:1) along N-type coaxial feedline to prevent RF power reflection and transceiver final stage burnout.
-
Step 2: Land Earth Station (LES) Satellite Link Margin & PVT Loopback Testing
Access diagnostic maintenance firmware to audit receive signal carrier levels (EIRP margin and Signal-to-Noise Ratio). Execute an automated Performance Verification Test (PVT) through Perth, Burum, or Santa Paula Land Earth Stations (LES) to confirm forward and return link carrier lock.
-
Step 3: LRIT Conformance & Covert SSAS Security Alert Verification
Coordinate remote polling sequence with Authorized Testing Application Service Providers (Pole Star, Fulcrum, Transas) for LRIT Conformance Test Reports (CTR). Test bridge and remote covert SSAS buttons, validating silent transmission to Company Security Officer (CSO) and flag administration without local alarms.
-
Step 4: Enhanced Group Call (EGC) SafetyNET Logging & GNSS Synchronization
Audit continuous receipt, decoding, and memory logging of NAVAREA VIII and METAREA VIII navigational warnings, meteorological forecasts, and SAR distress broadcasts. Verify internal/external GPS sentence ingestion ($GPGGA, $GPRMC) to ensure exact latitude/longitude coordinates during emergency distress alerting.
-
Step 5: Emergency 24V DC Reserve Battery Failover & Statutory Sign-Off
Simulate total AC blackout at the main navigation console to confirm instantaneous, uninterrupted changeover to emergency 24V DC radio battery reserves without terminal reboot or carrier drop. Issue Seanav Technical Service Report and Class/Flag survey readiness sign-off.
🔍 Critical Marine Inmarsat-C Failures & Deficiencies Resolved at Indian Ports
| Reported Defect | Root Cause Diagnosis | Technical Remediation |
|---|---|---|
| Terminal Status "LOGIN FAILED / NO CARRIER" or Intermittent Satellite Desynchronization | Water ingress into masthead N-type coaxial connector, corroded cable braid, or failing low-noise amplifier (LNA) inside antenna dome following tropical monsoon exposure. | Coaxial cable TDR diagnostic sweep, precision N-connector re-termination with self-amalgamating vulcanizing tape, or replacement of antenna unit (e.g. Sailor TT-3027C). |
| Inmarsat-C Distress Alert Button Open Circuit / Loop Line Disconnected Alarm | Oxidized contacts on wheelhouse distress push-button, crushed loop wiring harness, or broken DC bias monitoring circuit on alarm panel. | End-to-end loop resistance testing, micro-switch contact cleaning/renewal, harness re-pulling, and controlled distress test transmission to test LES under Class supervision. |
| LRIT Polling Failure / Terminal Non-Responsive During Conformance Testing | Corrupted or deactivated Data Network Identifier (DNID) in non-volatile memory, or blocked mobile earth station number following vessel flag transfer or PSA change. | Re-provisioning DNID tables via PSA airtime gateway, satellite macro command download, and coordination of immediate multi-position poll for CTR certificate issuance. |
| EGC SafetyNET Messages Failing to Print or Log / Flash Storage Buffer Overflow | Serial RS-232 handshake error between message terminal and marine printer, defective Centronics interface cable, or corrupted message buffer partition. | Baud rate and parity recalibration (4800/9600 bps, 8-N-1), message terminal flash memory partition wipe, and verified receipt of live coastal EGC safety broadcasts. |
Emergency Inmarsat-C Sailor 6110 Antenna Replacement & LRIT CTR Certification on 14,000 TEU Container Ship at Mundra Port
Reported Problem: Vessel experienced complete satellite link loss ("LOST SYNCH") upon entering the Gulf of Kutch; LRIT conformance reporting failed, triggering a Class condition and imminent Port State Control (PSC) detention at Adani Mundra Port (MICT).
Technical Diagnosis: Severe RF attenuation caused by moisture penetration through a cracked radome base on the masthead TT-3027C antenna, resulting in a blown LNA bias supply on the terminal transceiver.
Corrective Attendance: Seanav flying squad boarded at Mundra Container Terminal with a genuine pre-tested Sailor TT-3027C antenna and low-loss RG-214 feedline from our Gujarat depot. Installed replacement antenna, executed live LES PVT test via Burum LES (PASSED), downloaded active DNIDs, and coordinated a 6-hour accelerated polling sequence with Pole Star to issue a clean LRIT Conformance Test Report (CTR).
🌐 Strategic Indian Port & Equipment Authorities
Explore specialized technical resources and 24/7 engineer coverage across key Indian shipping hubs:
Mumbai Port (MbPA)
24/7 attendance across Indira Dock, Pir Pau & Mumbai Floating Light (BFL) anchorage.
View Mumbai Hub →JNPA / Nhava Sheva (JNPT)
Fast-track attendance for BMCT, APMT GTI, NSICT & NSIGT container terminals.
View JNPA Hub →Adani Mundra Port
Container berths, West Basin coal terminal, SPM & Mundra Roads anchorage support.
View Mundra Hub →Deendayal Port (Kandla)
Gandhidham depot covering cargo berths 1-16, Tuna Tekra & Vadinar offshore SPM.
View Kandla Hub →Chennai Port (ChPT)
Container terminals CCTPL, CITPL, Jawahar Dock & Kamarajar Ennore attendance.
View Chennai Hub →Cochin Port / ICTT
ICTT Vallarpadam berths, Cochin Shipyard & OPL East-West route launch service.
View Cochin Hub →Visakhapatnam (Vizag)
VCTPL container terminal, ore berths, Gangavaram Port & Dolphin’s Nose anchorage.
View Vizag Hub →Programming Authority
Certified MMSI reprogramming, AIS static data, VHF DSC & EPIRB Hex ID re-coding.
View Programming Scope →Flag Change Package
Turnkey single-attendance reprogramming for ship flag, name & ownership changes.
View Flag Change Scope →Reviewed & Certified by Technical Operations Directorate
Lead Marine Electronics Surveyor & Technical Director · Seanav Marine Pvt Ltd
Master technical oversight for SOLAS Chapter IV & V navigational safety and radio communications. Certified in statutory marine radio surveys, gyro compass meridian calibrations, radar transceiver overhauls, and VDR APT protocols across 170+ commercial Indian ports and anchorages.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Under SOLAS Chapter IV Regulation 10, every cargo ship of 300 gross tonnage and upwards and all passenger ships operating in Sea Area A3 must be fitted with an approved Inmarsat-C Mobile Earth Station capable of transmitting and receiving distress and safety communications via satellite, maintaining a continuous watch for Enhanced Group Call (EGC) SafetyNET maritime safety information, and initiating distress alerts from the navigation bridge.
A single Inmarsat-C terminal can perform three distinct functions: (1) GMDSS for ship-to-shore distress alerting, telex, and EGC meteorological/navigational broadcasts; (2) LRIT (Long-Range Identification and Tracking) for transmitting automatic position reports to flag administrations at 6-hour intervals; and (3) SSAS (Ship Security Alert System) for transmitting covert security alerts to authorities in the event of piracy or terrorist attack without sounding bridge alarms.
Common causes include physical line-of-sight blockage by shore container cranes or shipyard structures, coaxial cable degradation from salt spray and UV exposure, corroded N-type connectors causing high VSWR, or administrative suspension of the Mobile Earth Station (MES) number due to airtime account changes during vessel acquisition.
We assist vessel owners and technical managers by submitting Service Activation Registration Forms (SARF) through Point of Service Activation (PSA) clearing houses, de-registering previous flag profiles, programming new vessel MMSI and call signs, commissioning new Inmarsat mobile numbers, and conducting live satellite PVT verification tests at berth.
Yes. We maintain emergency stock of Sailor 6110 TT-3027C active antennas, TT-6018 message terminals, Furuno FELCOM-18/19 transceivers and antennas, JRC JUE-87 units, distress button panels, power supply units, and low-loss marine coaxial cable assemblies at our Navi Mumbai warehouse and port service stations across India.