Blue Ocean Wireless, an Irish company focused on delivering GSM
communication capability for the merchant maritime sector, today
announced the appointment of Mr Robert Johnson as CEO. Robert joins
Blue Ocean Wireless from Inmarsat plc, the leading global satellite
communications service provider, where he was Director of Maritime &
Aeronautical Services.
Robert Johnson led the Maritime and more recently the Aeronautical
team at Inmarsat plc for nine years where he was responsible for the
development of the company's maritime and aeronautical global
satellite commercial communication business. Established in 1979,
Inmarsat is the world leader in providing reliable voice and
high-speed data communications to governments, enterprises and other
organisations, with a range of services that can be used at sea, on
land or in the air. The company's services are delivered through a
network of 10 satellites and a global network of over 500 partners,
including most of the world's leading telecoms groups, operating in
180 countries.
Prior to joining Inmarsat, Robert spent fourteen years in the
commercial maritime sector at Racal-Decca Marine, now part of Sperry
Marine, the leading international electronics and systems group, where
he was responsible for product development of radar and other
electronic navigational aids. He previously spent thirteen years at
sea as a Deck Officer with Shell Tankers. Robert Johnson is a
qualified Master Mariner and was recently honoured with The Livery of
The Honourable Company of Master Mariners by HRH The Princess Anne.
Blue Ocean Wireless
Blue Ocean Wireless will, together with Inmarsat, a leading
Inmarsat LESO partner and a leading GSM network operator, provide a
dedicated global GSM service for crew members of merchant ships. For
the first time, Blue Ocean Wireless will enable seafarers to use their
existing mobile phones on board vessels in deep ocean water. Users of
the service will be able to make and receive voice calls and send and
receive SMS text messages using their existing handsets. Blue Ocean
Wireless will also enable ship owners, insurers and Government
authorities, as well as suppliers and customers, to track and monitor
individual containers on board merchant vessels as they traverse the
globe using a combination of GPRS and RFID technology.
Domhnal Slattery, Chairman of Blue Ocean Wireless commented "We
are delighted to announce the appointment of Robert Johnson as CEO of
Blue Ocean Wireless. Robert's knowledge of the global maritime and
aeronautical communications business and his experience working with
the world's leading shipping and telecoms companies will be invaluable
to Blue Ocean Wireless. Robert will now bring to market the Blue Ocean
Wireless GSM crew calling and container monitoring proposition."
Robert Johnson, incoming Blue Ocean Wireless CEO, added "I am
delighted to be joining Domhnal and the team at Blue Ocean Wireless.
We have a very exciting proposition which will revolutionise
communication for crews of merchant maritime ships."
He added "Having spent 13 years as a Deck Officer, I can relate to
the need for accessible, reliable and affordable communication while
at sea. Blue Ocean Wireless will, for the first time, provide
seafarers with voice and SMS text message capability which will have a
significant positive impact on their welfare. This will, in turn,
benefit merchant maritime companies and the ability to manage and
enhance the well-being of their employees."
About Blue Ocean Wireless
Blue Ocean Wireless is an Irish company focused on expanding
communication capability in the merchant maritime sector. Blue Ocean
Wireless provides, for the first time, GSM connectivity for seafarers
in deep ocean water, where no other network exists. This allows users
to make and receive voice calls, send and receive SMS text messages
and, in time, browse the internet using their existing handsets. Blue
Ocean Wireless' offering is based on Altobridge's unique 'Aeronautical
& Maritime Gateway Platform' technology. This technology can also be
used, in conjunction with RFID technology, to track and monitor
shipping containers while they are in transit at sea.
About Claret Capital
Claret Capital, founded by Domhnal Slattery in 2005, is a private
investment firm based in Dublin, Ireland. Claret Capital manages the
assets of a small number of ultra high net worth individuals and
families and has a global investment mandate. The firm has completed
investments in the Private Equity, Real Estate, Media and Technology
sectors. Claret Capital has also founded a number of new ventures
including JetBird, Europe's first low cost on demand private jet
airline. JetBird has ordered 100 aircraft from Embraer and is the
launch customer in Europe for the Phenom 100 very light jet.
About Altobridge
Altobridge is focused on delivering cost effective communications
for remote communities including rural villages, seafarers, airline
travellers and the world's military, navy and coastguard. Altobridge's
technology has also been licensed by AeroMobile, a joint venture
between Telenor and ARINC to provide the world's first operational
on-board aircraft mobile phone system.
About Inmarsat
Inmarsat plc (LSE: ISAT) is the leading provider of global mobile
satellite communications. Since 1979, Inmarsat has been providing
reliable voice and high-speed data communications to governments,
enterprises and other organisations, with a range of services that can
be used on land, at sea or in the air. The company's services are
delivered through a global network of over 500 partners, including the
world's leading telecoms groups, operating in 180 countries. For the
year ended 31 December 2006, Inmarsat plc had total revenue of
US$500.1 million.
