Marine electronics remote support can help identify and resolve many vessel electronics problems without immediately sending an engineer to the vessel.
Problems involving VHF and MF/HF radio, AIS, GPS, NMEA networks, navigation equipment, programming and system configuration can often be assessed using photographs, screenshots, equipment settings, configuration files, data logs and information supplied by somebody onboard.
At F&C Marine, the first step is simple: send us the problem.
Tell us what equipment you have, what it is doing, where the vessel is and send any useful photographs or screenshots. We can then advise whether the most practical next step is remote technical support, programming, replacement equipment or parts, or onboard engineer attendance.
Got a Marine Electronics Problem? Send It to Us.
Send the equipment make and model, a description of the fault and any useful photographs or screenshots. We will take an initial look and advise the most practical next step.
Call: 01377 337172 | Email: support@fcmarine.co.uk
What Is Marine Electronics Remote Support?
Marine electronics remote support does not mean that F&C Marine can automatically connect directly into every piece of equipment onboard a vessel.
In practice, we work with the skipper, crew member, vessel engineer or technician who is physically onboard. Information can be exchanged by telephone, email, video call, photographs, screenshots, configuration files, equipment menus or data logs.
We can guide the person onboard through appropriate checks, review equipment settings, compare configuration information, assist with programming and help determine where the fault is likely to be.
Sometimes that resolves the problem completely. In other cases, the remote assessment identifies what equipment, part, tool or measurement will be required before an engineer attends the vessel.
How Marine Electronics Remote Support Works
Send Us the Problem
Send the make, model, symptoms, photographs, screenshots, vessel location and details of somebody available onboard.
Initial Assessment
We review the information and assess whether the problem is likely to involve configuration, installation, equipment, cabling or a physical fault.
Choose the Best Route
The next step may be further remote support, programming, equipment or parts supply, or an onboard engineer attendance.
Resolve or Prepare
Resolve the issue remotely where practical or make sure the correct information, tools and equipment are identified before attendance.
What to Send for Marine Electronics Remote Support
The better the information supplied at the beginning, the easier it is to understand the fault and decide what should happen next.
Equipment Details
Manufacturer, model number and, where useful, a photograph of the model or serial-number label.
Fault Symptoms
Tell us exactly what happens, when the problem started and whether it is permanent or intermittent.
Photos & Screenshots
Front and rear of equipment, cabling, connectors, antennas, alarms, warning messages and relevant menus.
Vessel Information
Current location, next port if relevant and contact details for somebody onboard who can assist with checks.
Real F&C Marine Experience
Real Problems We Have Already Supported Remotely
F&C Marine has already provided marine electronics remote support for vessel radio programming, communications faults, NMEA configuration and navigation-electronics assistance.
Private Radio Channel Problem
A private radio channel appeared not to be operating correctly.
Remote investigation established that the office server was not communicating correctly with the vessel. Once communication was restored, the channel could be verified and a known-working configuration applied to another vessel radio.
Problem identified and configuration completed remotely.
SAILOR 6222 Private Channel Programming
A commercial vessel required additional authorised private-channel programming on a SAILOR 6222 VHF/DSC installation.
F&C Marine provided programming and configuration support remotely rather than requiring an immediate vessel attendance.
Radio programming supported remotely.
Fleet Radio Programming
Several vessels required radio programming and configuration changes.
F&C Marine supported the programming remotely, allowing repeat configuration work without treating every vessel as a separate engineer callout.
Multiple vessel radios supported remotely.
NMEA Configuration on FMD3100
Assistance was required with NMEA configuration on an FMD3100 navigation system.
The configuration was supported remotely while working with the person at the vessel through the required setup.
NMEA configuration assistance provided remotely.
ECDIS Technical Support
A navigation-equipment issue required more detailed technical assistance.
F&C Marine provided several hours of telephone support to work through the ECDIS problem with the customer.
Extended navigation support provided without immediate attendance.
Missing Radio Configuration Information
A radio could be programmed, but the setup could not be fully verified without the configuration file from an operational radio.
Rather than guessing, F&C Marine identified what information was missing and advised exactly what was required to continue.
The correct next action was identified remotely.
20 Marine Electronics Remote Support Problems We Can Assess
Not every electronics fault can be physically repaired remotely. However, many can be diagnosed, configured or narrowed down before somebody travels to the vessel.
Radio & Communications
AIS & GPS
NMEA, Navigation & Integration
Fault Finding & Engineer Support
When Remote Support Is Suitable — and When It Is Not
Marine electronics remote support is particularly useful for programming, configuration, equipment settings, NMEA data routing, interpreting alarms and determining the likely direction of a fault.
It can also provide technical backup to an engineer or crew member who is already onboard and able to carry out physical checks.
Some work still requires physical attendance. This includes RF power and SWR measurements, cable testing, antenna replacement, damaged wiring, water ingress, hardware replacement and installation work.
Start With the Problem — Not a Callout
Sending us your fault details does not automatically start a chargeable engineering session.
We will first look at the information supplied and advise the most sensible route.
Sometimes the answer may simply be that a replacement radio, antenna, interface, cable, accessory or other piece of equipment is required. Where suitable, F&C Marine can quote and supply the equipment.
In other cases, more detailed marine electronics remote support may be worthwhile before anybody travels to the vessel.
If live fault finding, programming, configuration, reviewing data, preparing configuration files or extended technical guidance is required, we will tell you before moving into chargeable technical support.
Initial Assessment First
A quick look at the equipment details and fault information can often establish whether the next step should be remote engineering, equipment supply or onboard attendance.
Where detailed remote engineering is required, our current commercial remote-support rate is £85 per hour ex VAT, with a 30-minute minimum.
Marine Electronics Brands We Support
Our marine electronics remote support experience covers equipment from a wide range of marine electronics manufacturers.
Depending on the equipment, fault and information available, we can provide configuration guidance, fault diagnosis, programming assistance and practical technical advice for systems from manufacturers including:
Icom, SAILOR / Cobham, Koden, Jotron, Entel, em-trak, Simrad, KVH, Actisense, AC Antennas — and more…
Don’t See Your Manufacturer Listed? Test Us.
Send us the make, model and fault details. If it is something we can help with, we will tell you the most practical way forward. If it is not, we will tell you that too.
Useful Maritime Technical Resources
For official UK information about maritime radio and licensing, visit Ofcom maritime radio information .
For information about the NMEA 2000 marine data-network standard, visit the National Marine Electronics Association .
More F&C Marine Technical Support
You may also find these F&C Marine resources useful:
Marine Electronics Problem?
Request Marine Electronics Remote Support
Send the equipment make and model, fault symptoms, photographs or screenshots and vessel location. We will advise whether the next step is remote support, equipment or parts supply, or onboard attendance.
01377 337172
support@fcmarine.co.uk