7 ms·

I can't view the Japanese link but the French article mentions nothing about connecting to the internet, or "WI-FI". Wouldn't a ship have satellite internet?

sumedh 6y ago
Good satellite internet is very expensive, the oil tanker probably had a cheap slow plan.
antihero 6y ago
The Mauritian article says: "Before the "Wakashio" ran aground on the reef at Pointe-d'Esny on the evening of July 25, the crew was celebrating the birthday of one of its members. This was reported by three crew members of the bulk carrier to Central Criminal Investigation Department (CCID) investigators. They also stated that the bulk carrier had approached the island to pick up a wi-fi connection. Seven others made the same statement to investigators from Mauritius Shipping. These seamen initially made a history of their voyage which started in China to Australia and then another route from China, with a stopover in Singapore, before heading for Brazil. It was on this route that the bulk carrier crossed the territorial waters of Mauritius. The crew of about 20 consists of three Indian nationals, sixteen Filipinos and one Sri Lankan. The "Wakashio" was under the responsibility of Captain Sunil Kumar Nandeshwar, a 58-year-old Indian national. They are represented by Mr. Kushal Lobine and Mr. Irsaad Munsoor, lawyers for the insurers of the Protection and Indemnity Club."
- ryanjshaw 6y ago
  They almost certainly mean cellular connection, not wifi. Apparently it is quite common for ships to get closer to shore for this reason. All crew members have cellphones; satellite internet connectivity on the other hand is vastly more expensive and access among crew is limited for that reason (and even then typically justifiable only for business purposes).
draven 6y ago
"Ils ont également déclaré que le vraquier s’était rapproché de l’île pour capter une connexion wifi" They also declared the ship got closer to the island to get a WiFi connection. (Maybe the article got updated)
spuz 6y ago
Starlink can't come soon enough.
ryosuke 6y ago
I can confirm that the Japanese article does indeed say that the ship went closer to land so that it could connect to Wi-Fi. Not sure how common satellite internet is on ships of this kind.
- eitland 6y ago
  > Not sure how common satellite internet is on ships of this kind. My best guess: Satellite internet on ships is common but still slow and expensive these days. Background: - ar one point I worked for three years as a system engineer with a company in the maritime radio and radar business - even further back I have also interviewed with another that was specifically in the business of connecting ships to Internet.

sumedh 6y ago

Good satellite internet is very expensive, the oil tanker probably had a cheap slow plan.

antihero 6y ago

The Mauritian article says: "Before the "Wakashio" ran aground on the reef at Pointe-d'Esny on the evening of July 25, the crew was celebrating the birthday of one of its members. This was reported by three crew members of the bulk carrier to Central Criminal Investigation Department (CCID) investigators. They also stated that the bulk carrier had approached the island to pick up a wi-fi connection. Seven others made the same statement to investigators from Mauritius Shipping. These seamen initially made a history of their voyage which started in China to Australia and then another route from China, with a stopover in Singapore, before heading for Brazil. It was on this route that the bulk carrier crossed the territorial waters of Mauritius. The crew of about 20 consists of three Indian nationals, sixteen Filipinos and one Sri Lankan. The "Wakashio" was under the responsibility of Captain Sunil Kumar Nandeshwar, a 58-year-old Indian national. They are represented by Mr. Kushal Lobine and Mr. Irsaad Munsoor, lawyers for the insurers of the Protection and Indemnity Club."

ryanjshaw 6y ago
They almost certainly mean cellular connection, not wifi. Apparently it is quite common for ships to get closer to shore for this reason. All crew members have cellphones; satellite internet connectivity on the other hand is vastly more expensive and access among crew is limited for that reason (and even then typically justifiable only for business purposes).

draven 6y ago

"Ils ont également déclaré que le vraquier s’était rapproché de l’île pour capter une connexion wifi" They also declared the ship got closer to the island to get a WiFi connection. (Maybe the article got updated)

spuz 6y ago

Starlink can't come soon enough.

ryosuke 6y ago

I can confirm that the Japanese article does indeed say that the ship went closer to land so that it could connect to Wi-Fi. Not sure how common satellite internet is on ships of this kind.

eitland 6y ago
> Not sure how common satellite internet is on ships of this kind. My best guess: Satellite internet on ships is common but still slow and expensive these days. Background: - ar one point I worked for three years as a system engineer with a company in the maritime radio and radar business - even further back I have also interviewed with another that was specifically in the business of connecting ships to Internet.