Indonesia's Surveillance Ships Install Starlink for Clearer Crew Communication

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries has installed Elon Musk's Starlink internet network on Indonesian surveillance ships. The Director General of Marine and Fisheries Resources Supervision, Pung Nugroho Saksono, said the low-orbit satellite-based internet helped the surveillance ship Paus 01 catch a foreign fugitive fishing vessel in the Arafura Sea.

"We have installed all of our central ships and several Technical Implementation Unit (UPT) ships with Starlink, especially those operating on the borders," he said at a press conference in Jakarta, on Friday, August 2, 2024.

Pung said Starlink is used to facilitate communication and video networks. The crew on the surveillance ship uses a direct video connection to contact the head office. This interactive communication supports the identification of vessels that fisheries authorities have hunted.

According to Pung, communication between the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries team in Jakarta and the surveillance ship at sea was previously hampered by signals. 

After being supported by Starlink, the team could actively contact the ground crew with minimal obstacles.  To reduce psychological stress, the Starlink network is also used by the surveillance ship crew to communicate with their respective families.

"The internet network is always clear except when a storm is raging,” he said.

Currently, the ministry manages 1,796 marine and fisheries surveillance personnel, 34 surveillance ships, 2 patrol aircraft, 91 speedboats and rapid reaction units, and an integrated surveillance system.

IRSYAN HASYIM

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