Communication with home whilst at sea...

[CallOfDuty]

  Hey all, I was curious about communicating with home while at sea.  I know that you can use email, and the telephone, but I'm wondering about the frequency and duration.  How does it work?  Does everyone get so many minutes to use a computer per day.....every 2 days..once/week?  What about the telephone?
  Have a great day everyone.
Steve

 

[Ex-Dragoon]

   Hey all, I was curious about communicating with home while at sea.   I know that you can use email, and the telephone, but I'm wondering about the frequency and duration.   How does it work?   Does everyone get so many minutes to use a computer per day.....every 2 days..once/week?   What about the telephone?
  Have a great day everyone.
Steve

Using the email and telephone is not a given, sometimes it will be shut down for OPSEC for days at a time. The phone we usually had a 5 minute rules if there were people waiting as well as for a computer, in other words if you manipulated the phone or computer for too long then you might regret it later.

 

[CallOfDuty]

  Hey Ex, thanks for your reply.  

 

[who980]

Computer usage - depending on which department you belong to, you may have ample computer time, or very little - this all depends on who your bosses are and what your job is.  Some trades onboard rely on computer usage and have constant access to computers while some (im thinking MSE, steward etc) at the lower ranks will have to share computer time with others.  Everyone on board will be given a network account that can be used for email.  (See the CCR)

Phone usage - Onboard most ships now I beleive we have Mini-M (Inmarsat-M) phones.  You should be issued a card which will have a balance of minutes that you can use the Mini-M's with.  Every week or so the card is re-loaded with minutes.

You can use the phone's whenever you want (off watch or on watch if your Supervisor / Senior Hand allows you) but be aware there are only 3 onboard between about 240 personnel.  There is usually a time-limit of 15 minutes to allow others a chance at using the phones.

If we do go into a "radio silent" state.  Phone usage will be suspended and you will still be able to send email, it just wont leave the MS Exchange queue until radio silence is lifted.  (You wont be able to receive as well) 

This will usually happen when there is an incident onboard or when command feels its necessary to do so to maintain the safety of the ship etc..


Ryan

 

[Navy_Blue]

Mini M 30 min a week

Computers are available almost anywhere on the ship.  If the ship has use of the Satilite then you would have access.  People tend to use it to surf and it slows the net down and then the CCR impliments restrictions.  If you don't have full time internet E-mail is stored and can be sent out and recieved when ever the ship has the extra band width.

VOIP is available on some ships depending on band width and your department.

All and all you are much more connected now than the old days.  In some cases mouch more connected than other navies.  I've been spoiled since I got in.  Some of the old guys even hate it bc they have to talk to there wives every day 

 

[CallOfDuty]

  LOL "Some of the old guys even hate it bc they have to talk to there wives every day"......too funny.  Thanks for the info guys....I appreciate it 
  Steve