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Many people ask about how they can communicate with others from their boats. Here we will discuss the ways liveaboards use communications and some of the technologies involved. So, let us start by looking at some of the well know tools first and how they can be used on different vessels and moorings.
 The standard fixed telephone line can be used for voice calls and data transfer for say the internet. A fixed line will normally be found on residential moorings where vessels do not move very often. Normal conditions apply being the same as a line connected to a house. From your fixed line you will be able to use a dial up internet connection or broadband if available in your area.
The mobile telephone can be used for voice calls and data transfer for say the internet at a slower rate.
If you are moored at a mooring that can not supply a fixed line or you move your vessel often to a new location you may find a mobile phone the easier option although not the cheapest.
 Many mobile network operators offer a set amount of free calling minutes for a fixed monthly fee which can be reasonably priced. This is fine if you only need to make voice calls but using a mobile phone for internet access will get very expensive. If you only really need to get email this could be a satisfactory option.
So, this has more or less covered voice communications and the two main types available.
The second and more difficult bit for the Liveaboard is a connection to the Internet. If you have a fixed line which we have covered earlier then connection to the Internet will not be a problem. If you do not have a fixed line available this can be a problem but not impossible.
Connecting to a data network using a mobile phone at presence is very expensive although prices are coming down. You can connect a mobile phone to a laptop computer, desktop computer or even a PDA (personal digital assistant).
This will enable you to connect to the Internet using your mobile phone.
Network provider's charges for connecting to a data network are expensive so we do not suggest that you use the Internet for long periods of time. This would be okay for periodically checking e-mail but a lot of Internet time would become very expensive.
Other options open to Liveaboards are to use Internet cafes. These are currently good value where you only pay for the time you use.
You may find many places such as airports, cafes, coffee shops, pubs and hotels that supply a free or paid for wireless network, so if you have a laptop computer or PDA with a wireless connection you can connect to their network for your Internet usage.
This can be very convenient but you do need to travel to the various places so is not ideal if you want an Internet connection directly to your vessel.
Some marinas are now installing wireless networks for their customers. This can be a big advantage to both the mooring operator and the Liveaboard person. You can pay a small monthly fee or for only the time you use theconnection. This means you do not have to have a phone line connected but will still have access to the Internet.
If your mooring operator does not have such a facility then it maybe worth you suggesting that they do. Obviously if they have to pay say £20 per month for a broadband Internet connection and they share that connection to their residential boats they could charge the boater say £10 a month for unlimited access so the mooring operator would make a profit if they have two or more people using the connection. So it could be worth mentioning this to your operator so you both win.
 A new technology that is emerging is called Wi Max.
This is not available yet but is basically a wireless connection that can travel over greater distances. It is uncertain how these networks will be operated but if a wireless connection can be achieved over many kilometres then access to the Internet can be easier for Liveaboard boats that are not moored in a built-up area or out of range of a broadband service or fixed line.
This technology will also not require you to have a fixed line which the current broadband does require. Also speeds of Wi Max are even greater than the current broadband services.
So until these new technologies emerge we are left with just a mobile connection on board our boats if you do not have a fixed line.
As you can see it can be quite difficult to establish an Internet connection on board our boats unless you have a fixed line or the mooring operator can provide a wireless Internet connection. This should be something you ask when looking for a mooring if Internet access is important to you.
If you are planning on doing any extended cruising and you wish to travel to far away places then communications will be a lot more difficult.
If you are Bluewater cruising sailing the oceans then communications can be more difficult. The main equipment for the cruising sailor is a VHF radio; this enables them to keep in radio contact with organisations such as the coastguard and lifeboat stations and other vessels. If you have a VHF radio on board your vessel you will need a license for that radio and you will need to have completed a radio operator's course.
 Some radios will provide another frequency called SSB which stands for Single Side Band. This is a frequency that is used by radio enthusiasts and also has to be licensed. SSB provides very long-range communications which is ideal if you are at sea.
Another form of communications is a satellite phone. These can be fitted to vessels and use satellite communications to call a fixed line or mobile phone anywhere in the world.
These pieces of equipment are very expensive and cost a great deal to use.
These you will mostly find in large expensive yachts that travel great distances and need such communications for safety.
One other form of communications not mentioned yet is VOIP.
This stands for Voice Over Internet Protocol. This is another new technology that is getting very popular and can be very reasonably priced.
To use VOIP you will need a high speed Internet connection such as broadband or Wi Max when this is available. If you are able to get a wireless Internet connection through your moorings operator then you could use VOIP to make voice calls to any standard telephone or mobile phone anywhere in the world without having a fixed line.
A popular service is provided by Skype www.skype.com
All you need is a microphone for your PC, download and install there free software, buy some credit and you are off. Rates are very cheap, even cheaper than BT. One good thing about Skype is that if you know someone else that uses the service you can talk to them free.
So there is now an alternative to having a fixed line from BT and with the arrival of Wi Max communicating using technologies such as VOIP will really start to take off enabling the Liveaboard to have more choice in how they communicate.
The way we all communicate is becoming more and more mobile which is good news for those Liveaboards that spend their time cruising.
Here are some links to companies that can provide you a number of products and services to fill your communications needs.
British Telecom (BT)
www.skype.com
O2 Mobile
T-Mobile
Vodafone
Virgin Mobile
3 Mobile
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