SeaFI in a Nutshell:

SEAFI is a self-funded scientific research project led by Sr. Research Engineer Arnaud Disant (UCD), which began a decade ago at the National Maritime College of Ireland in 2012. A group of maritime professionals and students explored an alternative to traditional maritime data communications.

The concept of Wireless Maritime Area Network was developed in Cork Harbour from 2013 onwards as part of an EU-funded research project primarily benefiting the Port of Cork. Several prototypes were tested at Rochespoint Lighthouse from 2013 to 2019, where a SCIENTIFIC WORLD RECORD FOR THE LONGEST WIRELESS INTERNET COMMUNICATION AT SEA was achieved on June 6, 2018, covering 19.4 nautical miles (35.92 km) by Arnaud Disant and the crew of the Offshore Supply Vessel Ocean Spey owned by Mainport.

Reasons for the Project:

SeaFi offers a new alternative to the existing methods of communication at sea, namely satellite and cellular systems like 3G. It introduces a third option to establish private networks in ports and coastal regions by connecting lighthouses, maritime wind turbines, offshore drilling platforms, and vessels at sea. The term coined for this network is Wireless Maritime Area Network (WMAN), allowing connectivity for ships, crews, and data collection buoys (e.g., for weather and tides).

Usage and Application:

The application of SeaFi is wide-ranging, catering to maritime professionals, scientists, fishermen, coastal security personnel, and individuals involved in protecting marine ecosystems. It enhances family connections for those working at sea for extended periods and significantly boosts business efficiency while lowering communication costs.

Comparison with 3G, 4G, and Satellite Communication:

The limitations of using 3G and 4G networks at sea, primarily designed for terrestrial coverage, make them unreliable in maritime environments. Similarly, while satellite communication is available, it faces challenges in meeting increasing data demands and contention rates. SeaFi provides a solution to enhance marine data communication by utilizing advanced technology that complements existing satellite systems.

Innovative Solution and Benefits:

The Maritime Communications Paradox: When More Satellites Mean Less Efficiency

The maritime industry is experiencing unprecedented connectivity growth through Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite constellations. Yet beneath this technological triumph lies a concerning paradox that challenges our fundamental assumptions about progress in maritime communications.

The Contention Crisis

Our poster highlights a stark reality: with 4,987 satellites currently orbiting Earth, only 777 are dedicated to communications—and merely a fraction of these serve maritime applications. This creates an effective contention ratio of 1:200 for maritime communications, meaning vessels compete for limited satellite resources while thousands of other satellites serve terrestrial purposes.

Breaking the Cost-Reduction Paradigm

Unlike previous maritime communication advances that followed predictable cost-reduction curves, LEO constellations face an unprecedented challenge. As orbital real estate becomes increasingly congested, operational costs are rising rather than falling. The physics of space simply cannot accommodate infinite growth—each new constellation requires more complex orbital mechanics, precise collision avoidance, and sophisticated ground control systems.

Environmental and Operational Consequences

Recent studies reveal that satellite reentry pollution now exceeds natural cosmic dust levels, with projections showing a 640% increase in atmospheric aluminum contamination from mega-constellations. More critically for maritime operations, orbital traffic now constrains launch windows and requires tracking multiple constellation trajectories, driving up system complexity and costs.

The SeaFi Alternative

This is where coastal maritime communications like SeaFi offer a compelling alternative. By providing high-bandwidth, low-latency connectivity within 35 kilometers of shore—exactly where 80% of maritime operations occur—SeaFi addresses the core connectivity needs without contributing to orbital congestion or environmental degradation.
SeaFi's Wireless Maritime Area Network (WMAN) delivers up to 150 Mbps with minimal latency, proving that terrestrial solutions can complement rather than compete with satellite systems. For coastal operations, ports, and near-shore research, this approach offers sustainable, cost-effective connectivity that doesn't rely on an increasingly strained orbital environment.

A Sustainable Path Forward

As telecommunications engineers, we must recognize that the current satellite proliferation trajectory is unsustainable. The maritime industry needs a hybrid approach: leveraging coastal systems like SeaFi for near-shore operations while reserving satellite capacity for true deep-ocean requirements.
The future of maritime communications isn't about choosing between terrestrial and satellite systems—it's about intelligently integrating both to create resilient, sustainable, and cost-effective networks that serve the industry's evolving needs without compromising our orbital environment.

Introducing SeaFi - an innovative replacement solution designed to revolutionise maritime communication while leveraging the unique infrastructure of lighthouses.

In addition to offering a cost-effective alternative with minimal installation and operating expenses, SeaFi enhances its appeal by delivering superior or equivalent services compared to traditional systems. This cutting-edge solution not only boasts localised and long-lasting capabilities but also breathes new life into lighthouses that have witnessed a decline in relevance due to advancements in navigation technology such as GPS and electronic maps.

By repurposing lighthouses from their conventional role as navigational aids to data hubs, SeaFi presents a sustainable and forward-thinking approach that preserves these iconic maritime structures from falling into disuse. There are approximately 18,600 lighthouses globally, representing vast untapped potential as SeaFi relay stations. With each fixed connection point capable of covering an area of around 2,500 square kilometres, the cumulative coverage of these lighthouses could extend to a staggering 45,000,000 square kilometres along coastal regions worldwide. This strategic utilisation of existing infrastructure not only revitalises historical landmarks but also significantly offloads the burden on satellite systems by efficiently extending connectivity to vast maritime areas, ensuring reliable communication and navigation services for the maritime community.