COMPLIANT MARITIME INTERCOM SYSTEM

Company

SeaCom specializes in developing and manufacturing robust wired communication systems for the maritime industry, specifically intercom solutions that meet the rigorous demands of seagoing vessels.

Since 1999, SeaCom has supplied these reliable systems to a diverse range of vessels, including cargo ships, supply and container vessels, river ships, patrol boats, dredgers, and more. 

With over 1,500 installations globally and more than 25 years of expertise, SeaCom is a leading provider of onboard communication solutions. Their offerings include telephone exchanges, harsh environment telephones, and intercom stations, widely used by subcontractors for electrical installations on new builds at shipyards and by ship owners alike

Challenge

New regulations from the Norwegian Veritas (DNV) meant SeaCom faced additional testing requirements to ensure compliance. DNV expanded the frequency range for emissions and immunity testing from 2 GHz to 6 GHz, meaning SeaCom had to rigorously document that their intercom systems could perform reliably within this extended range. The 2–6 GHz band is particularly sensitive, requiring careful validation to ensure no interference or degradation in electronic components, especially critical in maritime environments.

As part of DNV’s type approval, if SeaCom’s products fail to meet these updated standards, their certification could be invalidated. To maintain their type approval certificate, SeaCom must provide evidence of compliance with every regulatory update introduced by DNV.

The intercom system SeaCom provides is complex and consists of multiple integrated components, including a central control unit, a PABX (Private Automatic Branch Exchange), and several telephones positioned throughout the vessel. This setup requires a holistic approval process; the entire system must be tested as an integrated whole, yet each component—central unit, PABX, and connected telephones—also requires standalone testing to meet compliance.

Solution

TRS is well-versed in marine standards and testing, aligning with DNV requirements—a relationship that began with SeaCom’s first DNV-type approval in 2011. An early project with TRS involved preliminary vibration testing for a redesigned phone system. This testing supported the development phase, allowing for necessary mechanical adjustments before finalizing the solution. Additional testing by TRS has included temperature, humidity, salt, and watertightness (spray tests), covering a broad range of environmental standards. 

The latest typetest focused on EMC up to 6 GHz. This process began with a detailed test plan, followed by structuring the test setup to maximize efficiency and chamber capacity, allowing multiple units to be tested at once. TRS engineers meticulously followed the plan, completing the tests without any issues, and no modifications were needed from SeaCom.

Results

Through close collaboration with TRS test engineers, SeaCom achieved a streamlined and cost-effective testing setup. The EMC, climatic, and vibration typetests were executed seamlessly, with TRS’s documentation passing Norwegian Veritas (DNV) scrutiny without question. This smooth approval process minimized delays, enabling SeaCom to stay on schedule and maintain its type-approval status on DNV’s “Approval Finder.” This certification reassures SeaCom’s clients and shipyards that their solutions are not only compliant and competitively priced but also fully meet stringent maritime requirements. 

SeaCom plans to continue working with TRS, beginning with preliminary development testing and advancing to a comprehensive type-approval test for an innovative maritime IP intercom system in the coming months. This ongoing partnership with TRS reinforces SeaCom’s commitment to delivering high-quality, compliant solutions in the marine communication sector. 

Customer Quote

“I’d highly recommend working with EKTOS TRS! Their staff is both pleasant and professional, and specialised colleagues has almost unlimited knowledge of Marine Standard. That level of expertise is rare in Denmark.

They seem to know the latest marine standards or other standards that must be adhered to. They handle both technical and documentation aspects of the tests very well.”

Carl Johan Jensen, Sales & Customer Care, SeaCom