Attn Chris, Dominic and David, In advance of our meeting on Monday, I have prepared a proposal for you for a conference we could put together in late January in London about websites onboard, which could give us a basis for discussion. The key objectives are: i) To provide an environment for technology companies and manufacturers to learn about the market opportunities available through Inmarsat packet data communications to vessels ii) To provide an environment for shipping companies to learn about the potential opportunities iii) To provide a means for Inmarsat to gather its own market research about what systems are likely to be most popular in the maritime industry. iv) To provide a discussion forum about what is technically possible Sponsorship basis: In order to produce this conference, we would look for £6,000 sponsorship from Inmarsat (one day event) or £10,000 (two day event). Inmarsat would also have the option of sponsoring a dinner on the evening of the first day. After an introduction from Inmarsat and brief coverage of the technical issues associated with Inmarsat packet data service, we would go through the potential applications (as we see them), starting from what seems at this point to be the most commercially important. With each application, we would invite the major service providers to express what they offer now and what would be technically feasible, and why it would work; there could also be room for discussion about which systems would work the best. It would be very helpful if we could attract some shipping companies to speak, if we can find some shipping company which uses onboard internet access. We might find a cruise ship company used to VSAT, which has provided internet access to seafarers, to talk about what they are using it for (although we currently have no such contacts) OPENING: * address from Inmarsat, possibly from Robert Johnson/Michael Butler * brief explanation about what MDPS is from Inmarsat * brief coverage about the hardware provided, from Thrane and Thrane * brief overview about costs and what the LESOs will provide, from one of the LESOs (Probably Stratos or Telenor) * brief outline of the technical issues involved (from Inmarsat or Jonathan Elder) CONNECTING VESSELS TO CORPORATE MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS Incorporating: knowledge management, maintenance, purchasing, crewing, operations Suggested invited speakers: Mark Story (Maritime Systems), Pantelimon Pantelis (Ulysses), Paul Ashton (Xantic), Danaos, BASS, Transas Telematics REMOTE MONITORING OF VESSELS Incorporating: engine monitoring, remote voyage data recorders, vessel monitoring and surveillance Suggested invited speakers: MAN B&W, Wartsila, Alfa Laval (engines/remote monitoring), Broadgate, Transas, Litton, Kelvin Hughes (voyage data recorders/remote monitoring of engine equipment), Purplefinder (ship tracking), Saab (tank control monitoring), there are many other companies with control and monitoring systems for vessels which would work over a satellite link E-PROCUREMENT FROM ONBOARD Suggested invited speakers: Fuji Trading, ShipServ, MarineProvider, WEATHER AND CHART INFORMATION OVER THE INTERNET Incorporating: obtaining up to date charts, chart updates, list of lights updates Suggested invited speakers: Kelvin Hughes, ChartCo, Chart-Track, Transas, UK Hydrographic Office, Marine Press of Canada, Nowcasting International, WNI, OceanRoutes ONBOARD TRAINING OF SEAFARERS WITH REMOTE INSTRUCTORS Suggested invited speakers, Kongsberg, Transas, VideoTel CLASSIFICATION SOCIETY INFORMATION ONBOARD Suggested invited speakers: Lloyds Register, Bureau Veritas, DNV, ABS REMOTE MEDICAL ASSISTANCE Suggested invited speakers Vitalink, GMA SERVICES TO SEAFARERS Suggested invited speakers: MarineWorks (Crewlink initiative), ITF (seafarer internet banking initiative), Newslink Services GENERAL WEB BROWSING Suggested invited speakers: Chris Insall or Digital Ship (based on our web at sea report) MANAGING OILS AND LUBRICANTS ONBOARD Suggested invited speakers: FAMM, Castrol Marine, Kittiwake PROCUREMENT OF BUNKERS FROM ONBOARD Suggested invited speakers, OceanConnect, Bunkerworld ASSOCIATED SESSION (half day) Technical issues associated with packet data connections to ships Led by Jonathan Elder of Brand Communications, who also explains the technical issues involved Invited speakers: Thrane and Thrane, Telenor/Xantic/Stratos * What is the difference between packet data and ISDN, Inmarsat-A, -B and -C? * What special hardware is required to use it and how much is it likely to cost? * What data rates are available? * What applications could mobile packet data have in the maritime industry? How is it likely to be used? NB this event would be charged separately