- Definition of the communication system used:
The onboard equipment is a Fleet 250 composed of an INMARSAT Broadband antenna with a terminal or modem. Various devices are then connected, such as the onboard computer via a network cable, and a Wi-Fi hotspot for the use of any other device such as a Smartphone, etc.
- My needs onboard:
An onboard computer allowing me to be connected to receive vectorized weather files for my routing and also serving to connect to my onboard email, a central channel, through which we are in contact with the Race Management.
The phone or tablet: this allows me to communicate via the WhatsApp application and to take photos and videos that I can directly edit and send via an FTP server; the file is then directly compressed and automatically sent (ROMEDIA solution) to the race's communication department.
It should be noted that we are bound by a contract with the organizers of the Vendée Globe stipulating that all registered Skippers must provide a certain number of video minutes per week, audio conferences, etc. It is therefore essential that this works.
- Redundancy systems
With Advanced Tracking and our technical team, before departure, we envisioned several scenarios of potential technical problems we might face during these three months at sea. The solutions considered were these:
- A second antenna stored and protected from bad weather, available in the boat and ready to be easily taken out and installed.
- A second terminal in place, ready to be connected with 2 possible power supplies.
- A backup cable already routed in the boat and another independent one, making a total of 3 possible cables; the idea was to be able to cross-check everything and quickly identify failures to be able to very quickly and simply restart the backup system.
Fortunately, I didn't have to use it.
In addition, Advanced Tracking provided me with an Iridium Go Kit which, carried in the survival bag or in the event of a major blackout, would have allowed me - with the help of my laptop, phone and/or tablet - to continue receiving weather data and my messages: this is an important safety feature.
The KONECTIS Tracking has been installed on our website since the beginning of this adventure and is essential because a large number of "technical followers", family, team, sponsors know where we are at all times and can thus prepare for our arrivals, help us in case of major damage... The weather also present on Advanced Tracking's KONECTIS mapping is a plus for site visitors.
- On the Vendée Globe
After reviewing the technical aspects, my post-Vendée Globe field feedback is very satisfactory: I always had the desired network permanently, the INMARSAT solution covering the whole world is top-notch and very stable. I was able to participate in video conferences several times, retrieve my weather files without any problem... The most complex part is not the communication system, but our way of communicating with our loved ones, which is not easy because words must be carefully chosen, it is not always the right moment: the end-of-year holidays were very difficult for me because communication brings us closer but in reality, we are very far away and no system will replace the physical absence.
Many thanks again to the Advanced Tracking team for our collaboration full of professionalism and kindness and congratulations again for your responsiveness in setting up and monitoring the solutions! www.clementgiraud.com
