Trials for Lowestoft-designed radio

FIELD trials have taken place in the Gulf of Mexico of a communications system designed to help offshore workers maintain radio contact.The two-way radio system designed by Lowestoft-based Fern Communications has been tested by the French oil and gas engineering firm Technip on its flagship vessel, the Deep Blue.

FIELD trials have taken place in the Gulf of Mexico of a communications system designed to help offshore workers maintain radio contact.

The two-way radio system designed by Lowestoft-based Fern Communications has been tested by the French oil and gas engineering firm Technip on its flagship vessel, the Deep Blue.

Fern's FRX 1 radio repeater system is designed to direct signals around solid structures so workers never lose contact with each other in confined or dangerous places, while Technip's Deep Blue is the world's largest deep sea underwater pipe lay and construction vessel.

Patrick Kelly, instrument technician for Technip, said: "Throughout the trial, the FRX-1 performed very well, supplying continuous radio signals and uninterrupted radio communication, so we were pleased with the outcome."