Applications, Business Value
Reliable Data at Sea Isn’t Magic—It’s Smart Engineering
Maritime operations rely on real-time data, video, and diagnostics at sea. KenCast’s Smart FEC ensures reliable transmission—even through satellite drops, rough weather, or remote coverage gaps.
Read the full article in Maritime Journal 8/4/2025.
From autonomous vessels mapping the ocean floor to crew relying on video calls miles offshore, today’s maritime operations demand reliable, high-volume data transmission. But delivering data across vast, remote seas — where connections drop, weather disrupts, and satellite handoffs are frequent — is no small feat.
Enter Smart Forward Error Correction (FEC): the unsung hero quietly ensuring that real-time data, video, and mission-critical files reach their destinations intact, no matter the conditions.
Why FEC Matters at Sea
Satellite connectivity has revolutionized navigation, safety systems, and even onboard quality of life. Yet transmitting data over unstable networks remains error-prone — especially when vessels move through different satellite beams or face harsh weather interference.
Forward Error Correction is the technology that makes flawless delivery possible. It preemptively adds supplemental information to data packets, enabling receivers to detect and correct errors without needing retransmissions — crucial when bandwidth is limited, and latency could compromise safety or performance.
At KenCast, our application-layer FEC (AL-FEC) goes further:
It ensures full files and streams are reassembled perfectly the first time.
It eliminates unnecessary retransmissions that cost time and money.
And it works even when receivers temporarily fall out of coverage.
Where It’s Making Waves:
Collision Avoidance Systems: Reliable real-time data helps vessels safely navigate crowded or low-visibility waters.
Remote Diagnostics & Fuel Optimization: Transmitting large datasets enables smarter decisions at sea.
High-Quality Streaming: Video conferencing and entertainment reduce crew isolation and improve retention.
For workboats and leisure craft alike, smart FEC enables mission-critical performance and quality-of-life benefits — even in unpredictable environments.
Meeting the Demands of Modern Maritime Operations
Basic FEC methods — like carousel-style repetition — can’t keep up with today’s data-intensive applications. They’re inefficient, slow, and prone to gaps.
Smart FEC, on the other hand, is designed for today’s maritime demands, delivering:
Flawless real-time transmission of massive files and video
Resilience to signal loss and satellite transition
Scalable efficiency for fleets of vessels on the move
Applications in the Wild
US Coast Guard Missions: As unmanned surface vessels (USVs) are increasingly deployed to extend visibility and response capabilities, smart FEC ensures secure real-time relay of data between autonomous systems and human crews.
Deep-Sea Mapping: With only 25% of the ocean floor mapped, AL-FEC supports massive real-time transfers of sonar, lidar, and GIS data from remote vehicles operating well beyond typical coverage zones.
Offshore Wind & Military Ops: From long-term infrastructure monitoring to high-stakes missions, smart FEC is the difference between dropped data and operational continuity.
Conclusion: The Invisible Link Holding It All Together
Whether supporting research ROVs, coast guard operations, or onboard streaming for passengers, Smart FEC is the data delivery backbone of the modern maritime world.
As satellite coverage expands and vessels rely more heavily on real-time systems, FEC ensures every packet arrives — intact, on time, and without compromise.
So next time you're miles offshore relying on live data or high-quality video, remember: it's not just the swell beneath the hull that keeps you moving — it's the intelligent math making sure your connection never misses a beat.
