Mackay Communications has collaborated in the design, supply and installation of advanced integrated bridge systems (IBS), complete with consoles and ancillary electronic systems on board two Lindblad expedition cruise ships.
The company collaborated with Lindblad Expeditions and Nichols Brothers Boat Builders.
‘National Geographic Quest’ was delivered in 2017. The second cruise ship, ‘National Geographic Venture’, is undergoing sea trials and will embark on her inaugural voyage on 2nd December, 2018.
Mackay Marine’s Project Management Group, in co-operation with Lindblad Expeditions, Nichols Brothers, and Jensen Maritime Consultants, supplied both vessels with their primary bridge navigation and a majority of their communication systems.
The fully integrated bridge consoles were designed, supplied, and installed by Mackay. The consoles, outfitted primarily with a Furuno suite of products, included the command and control systems, radar, ECDIS, (GPS, AIS, GMDSS and VDRs.
In addition, Mackay supplied an integrated internal communications platform from Zenitel of Norway, comprised of PA systems, general alarm, and the shipboard local area network (LAN), which is tied into the vessels’ phone system or PABX.
The on board Inmarsat FleetXpress System was connected to the PABX and integrated along with other on board communications systems.
Lindblad’s two new ships are Jones Act coastal cruise vessels, built to provide 100-guests in 50 cabins with tyhe ability to explore coastal waters, shallow coves and fast-moving channels where wildlife congregates.