Unmissable action – made possible by Inmarsat. As the official Satellite Communications Partner for the fifth consecutive edition of the Volvo Ocean Race in 2017-18, we delivered essential safety services, fleet tracking and voice and data communications to each of the race boats, accessed via the world’s most reliable global mobile satellite network.
The 45,000 nm challenge, now called The Ocean Race, went on to win the BT Sports Industry Cutting Edge Sport Award, with judges praising its “advanced use of technology to enhance the media coverage of sailing, making it a more immersive and accessible sport”.
The Volvo Ocean 65 race yachts were equipped with our reliable maritime services and satellite phone:
Inmarsat C beamed back the boats’ GPS locations to race HQ every 10 seconds. This, together with our FleetBroadband voice safety services and the GPS tracking and alert functions on our satellite phone, kept the crews as safe as is possible when you are taking on the most challenging environment on Earth.
With Inmarsat services onboard, the Volvo Ocean Race crews had the best communications from boat-to-shore and shore-to-boat – to seek medical advice mid-leg, report damage so repairs could be arranged at the next stopover, or wish a desperately-missed loved one a happy birthday.
For nine months and over 11 legs, the boats’ Onboard Reporters and crew shared thrilling videos and stories with millions of fans via TV, websites and social media channels – and competed for The Inmarsat Communications Award for the most outstanding content contributor overall.
