Wireless systems are no longer theoretical. Real-world deployments by Nortrans, Purus, and Rem Offshore prove that wireless mesh networks can thrive even in steel-heavy environments, transforming safety, efficiency, and data visibility. This article highlights how companies like ScanReach, Purus, and Rem Offshore are deploying wireless mesh networks to achieve real-time crew tracking, faster mustering, and safer operations.
Norwegian company ScanReach is transforming connectivity in the maritime industry through a purpose-built maritime-grade wireless mesh network. Its onboard wireless connectivity solution comprises nodes that collect data from sensors and machinery below deck. The data is sent to the bridge for analysis, providing real-time information for onboard personnel or shoreside operations. Unlike conventional systems, this solution is designed for the complex structural environments of steel-hulled ships.
One of the major benefits is that it provides real-time crew location management via wearable technology. The goal is to provide rapid response to man-down or distress situations in the event of an emergency. If a crew member falls or injures themselves, the wearable device sends an instant alert, enabling response teams to pinpoint their precise location and ensure they receive immediate assistance. Another benefit is automatic turbine detection, which matches a vessel’s position to turbine coordinates so personnel transfers are captured instantly with high accuracy.
For Purus, a global owner and operator of 71 vessels, improving crew safety was a top priority. Frequent personnel transfers between vessels made it difficult to track who was onboard during an emergency. Standard methods were slow, prone to error, and inefficient for compliance. In July 2024, Purus selected ScanReach’s Connect POB solution to digitise crew location management. Mesh nodes were installed throughout vessels, and each seafarer was issued a wristband. The system tracks personnel movements in real time and automatically identifies individuals entering muster zones. Manual roll calls that consumed up to 60 minutes per day were replaced by instant automated mustering. The process saved hundreds of hours annually while improving compliance and data accuracy.
Rem Offshore, a Norwegian operator with a fleet of 11 modern vessels, faced similar challenges. Operating in sectors including offshore construction and renewables, the company hosted up to 60 client technicians on a single vessel. Conventional Wi-Fi systems could not penetrate steel, making location tracking unreliable. By adopting ScanReach’s Connect POB system, the company achieved instant location awareness, faster mustering, and reliable ship-wide wireless coverage. Within weeks of installation, completed by the vessel’s own crew, Rem Offshore gained seamless personnel tracking and improved emergency readiness.
To find out more about how wireless technology is transforming maritime safety, efficiency, and data management, explore the full Thought Leadership report, Unlocking Safety and Operational Insights Through Wireless Intelligence, created in partnership with ScanReach.
