November 12, 2018 – Mackay Communications, Inc.® (dba Mackay Marine) is proud to announce its collaboration with Lindblad Expeditions and Nichols Brothers Boat Builders in the design, supply and installation of advanced integrated bridge systems (IBS), complete with consoles and ancillary electronic systems onboard National Geographic Quest and National Geographic Venture expedition cruise ships. The National Geographic Quest was delivered in 2017 and has been serving in Lindblad’s fleet for over a year. The second cruise ship, National Geographic Venture, is undergoing sea trials and will embark on her inaugural voyage December 2, 2018.
Mackay Marine’s Project Management Group, in concert 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’s Project Group. The consoles, outfitted primarily with a Furuno suite of products, include the Command and Control Systems, Radar, Electronic Chart Display and Information Systems (ECDIS), Global Positioning Systems (GPS), Automatic Identification Systems (AIS), Global Maritime Distress and Safety Systems (GMDSS), and Voyage Data Recorders (VDR).
Additionally, Mackay supplied an integrated internal communications platform from Zenitel A/S of Norway, comprised of Public Announcement (PA) systems, General Alarm, and the shipboard local area network (LAN) which is tied into the vessels’ phone system or PABX. The onboard Inmarsat FleetXpress System was connected to the PABX and integrated along with other onboard communications systems.
Lindblad’s National Geographic Quest and National Geographic Venture are Jones Act coastal cruise vessels, built to provide 100-guests in 50 cabins with an intimate, nature-driven experience of exploring coastal waters, shallow coves and fast-moving channels where wildlife congregates. Jones Act Vessels are those built, owned, and operated by United States citizens and companies.
Mackay Marine looks forward to contributing to future Lindblad and Nichols Brothers Boat Builders projects; providing instrumental project management, electronics systems expertise and console integration.
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About Mackay | Mackay Communications, Inc.® (dba Mackay Marine) sells, installs, and services communication and navigation equipment on board vessels of all class and size. Mackay, in business for over 130 years, has 3,000+ customers spread over every continent, annually conducts 17,000+ service calls, employs 300 seasoned professionals, with locations in more than 38 major ports. Mackay World Service coordinates service, installation and inspections 24/7 for all ports, worldwide. For more information visit: https://www.mackaymarine.com
About Lindblad Expeditions | Lindblad Expeditions is an expedition travel company that works in partnership with National Geographic on its ship-based voyages to inspire people to explore and care about the planet. The organizations work in tandem to produce innovative marine expedition programs and to promote conservation and sustainable tourism around the world. The partnership’s educationally oriented voyages allow guests to interact with and learn from leading scientists, naturalists and researchers while discovering stunning natural environments, above and below the sea, through state-of-the-art exploration tools. As pioneers of global exploration, their collaboration in research, technology and conservation provides extraordinary travel experiences and disseminates geographic knowledge globally. For more information visit: https://www.expeditions.com/
About Nichols Brothers Boat Builders | Nichols Brothers Boat Builders was established in 1964 in Freeland, Washington on Whidbey Island, by the late Frank Nichols after leaving his Father’s Boatyard – Nichols Boat Works, in Hood River, Oregon. Frank stuck with what he knew, boat building, and found that Whidbey Island offered people who valued an honest living, were accustomed to working hard, and had a passion for quality craftsmanship. With a team of men and women Nichols Brothers Boat Builders began.
For more information visit: http://www.nicholsboats.com/
