Global Marine Networks LLC unveiled an automatic vessel tracking service that uses the Iridium satellite system to transmit location reports from ship to shore, Iridium announced Feb. 14.

The XGate vessel tracking system provides data such as GPS time, latitude and longitude, course and speed, and selected weather parameters. The information can be embedded in ship-to-shore email messages and/or reported to a central database with each email session. Automatic tracking reports also can be delivered according to a predetermined schedule.

Four expedition cruise ships and multiple passenger vessels operating in the Arctic and Antarctic waters have installed the system, Iridium executives said.