SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR COMMUNICATION WITH EXTERNAL NETWORKS FROM MARITIME VESSELS

摘要

A system and method for communication with external networks from maritime vessels. In one embodiment, a communication manager is operable with a first access network onboard a first maritime vessel in communication with first vessel onboard communication devices and is in communication with a corresponding communication manager operable with a second access network onboard a second maritime vessel that communicates with second vessel onboard communication devices. The communication manager assembles communication parameters including knowledge of a current state of communications onboard the first and second maritime vessels, knowledge of proximity of and access to a plurality of external networks to the first maritime vessel, and communication rules associated with the external networks. The communication manager selects a first external network based on the communication parameters for communication with the first maritime vessel to the second vessel onboard communication devices over a transport network between the first and second access networks.