Arlington, Va.-based Iridium Satellite has introduced a new range of maritime satellite communication services aimed at helping ship owners cost-effectively meet new International Maritime Organization (IMO) requirements for ship security and alert systems (SSAS).

The IMO’s new SSAS regulations are intended to enhance maritime security in response to a rising threat from terrorism and piracy. The regulations require most deep-sea passenger and cargo ships to be fitted with a device by July 1 that could send a message containing the ship’s ID and position when a vessel is under threat. The distress message must be activated covertly from a switch on the ship’s navigation bridge or another shipboard location. The signal then would be transmitted only to a designated authority, without being received on other ships or raising an alarm on the ship under attack.

For in-depth coverage of this story, see the Feb. 16 issue of Satellite News. For more information about subscribing to PBI Media’s satellite newsletters, check out our Web site at www.satellitetoday.com