Voice communications are extremely important to support the operation of ships and platforms at sea. The main telephony system in these vessels is composed of a central telephone exchange (PABX), cabling infrastructure and telephone sets. Onboard telephone systems use some special accessories for noisy environments such as signaling lamps, acoustically isolated cabins and special buzzers.

How it works

The heart of the telephone system is the PABX that connects all access terminals (extension lines) and all the output trunks. The telephone lines are installed in the various compartments throughout the vessel including cabins, offices, workshops and public telephone cabins. Depending on the customer’s requirements, intelligent PABXs can be used. Such devices support a series of special functionalities such as conferencing, search groups, follow-me and others.

Telephone network cabling design seeks to minimize the number of connections and to optimize the costs of materials and of maintenance services. Cabling networks include distribution boxes at strategic locations in the vessel, in order to simplify installation and maintenance at sea.

Access devices comprise standard telephone sets and special accessories required for operation in noisy environments (signaling lamps, acoustically isolated cabins and special buzzers).

Critical parts of the telephone network are connected to uninterruptible power supplies in order to assure their functionality at any time.

Scope of a Standard Project

C.FOSTER supplies and installs telephone networks in ships and platforms of varying sizes, meeting the highest quality standards required for this type of installation.

C.FOSTER relys on a highly skilled and trained technical team, composed of professionals with extensive experience with maritime and offshore customers, most of whom have been trained abroad at our partner equipment vendor’s facilities.

Equipment and materials are supplied according to international norms and standards, including recommendations from PETROBRAS, ANATEL, IMO/SOLAS, Unit Classification Society, AIS, SSAS, ABS, DNV and others.

All materials and accessories are specified and assembled, considering the hostile environmental characteristics of the offshore production environment. All installed systems are rigorously tested, with test instruments that are regularly calibrated according to applicable norms.

Project and installation activities typically include:

• System conception according with the needs of each customer
• Telephone network sizing
• Engineering design including plans and descriptive drawings
• Technical manuals
• Supply and delivery logistics according to the project schedule
• Supply of all materials including:
  • Telephone hand-sets
  • Telephone signaling lamps
  • Buzzers or bells
  • Acoustically isolated cabins
  • Telephone distribution boxes
  • Telephone junction boxes
  • Terminal blocks
  • RF cables
  • UHF radiating cables
  • UHF antennas
  • UHF active repeater

• On-board Installation including the physical identification of all network components
• “As built” documentation, including updated plans and drawings
• Acceptance testing, including:
• Training programs for customer personnel