Satellite yacht tracking for QLD classic
by Andra Bite on 5 Feb 2008
Brisbane to Gladstone race Ben Sommerville
Telecommunications company Pivotel Group will help fans keep a close watch on the Brisbane to Gladstone Yacht Race after signing up as major partner of the iconic Easter blue water classic.
It is anticipated a fleet of 100 yachts will contest this year's 60th anniversary race with each boat fitted out with Pivotel's state-of-the-art TracerTrak, enabling fans to see the location of the entrants via the internet throughout the race.
The cutting-edge technology will send regular updates of each boat's location, time and motion to the Globalstar constellation of low earth orbit satellites and then to the tracking website.
The technology to be used under the sponsorship deal is a far cry from the techniques used in the inaugural race in 1949 when homing pigeons tracked the progress of the seven race entrants.
Pivotel Group managing director Peter Bolger said the sponsorship agreement would enable boating enthusiasts to see exactly how the device worked as well as keeping an eye on the race fleet.
'I think it will be a very popular addition to the race this year, and we are very pleased to be able to make the 60th anniversary of the race a little bit more special,' Mr Bolger said.
'Not only will spectators be able to keep a track of how the yachts are placed, but it will give the families of the participants a way of keeping an eye on their loved ones.
'It is a great opportunity for boating fans to trial the device and see how it works first hand.'
Queensland Cruising Yacht Club Commodore Ian Gidlow said Queensland Cruising Yacht Club (QCYC) was the only club outside of the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia (CYCA), who own the famous Sydney to Hobart, to be using state-of-the-art satellite yacht tracking.
'The Brisbane to Gladstone Yacht Race is an iconic Australian sporting event and Pivotel's technology will enable race fans and followers to track the fleet from the comfort of their lounge rooms,' Mr Gidlow said.
'Queensland Cruising Yacht Club is delighted to introduce Pivotel's world-leading TracerTrak technology to provide real-time information on the progress of the fleet over the 308 nautical mile course.
'Using the sophistication of the Pivotel TracerTrak Yacht Tracker and high-tech website programming, website visitors will be able to find the line honours and handicap position of each boat in the fleet with updates every 20 minutes.'
The key component of the TracerTrak service is an AxTracker tracking device. The tracking device comes in two forms with the T3 measuring 20cm x 15cm x 2.5cm, and the MMT measuring 28cm x 10cm x 2.5cm. Depending on the frequency of location updates the in-built battery can provide up to seven years of service.
The Brisbane to Gladstone Yacht Race is an Australian sporting icon. The race is Queensland's premier blue water classic and recognised nationally and internationally as one of the most challenging and notable races in the world.
Major partners of the 60th Brisbane to Gladstone Yacht Race are Brisbane Marketing, First Tax & Duty Free Brisbane Airport, Gladstone Pacific Nickel Ltd, Pivotel TracerTrak, Shop Buy Fly together with media partners, The Courier-Mail and News Talk 1116 4BC.
Pivotel Tracertrak background information
Globalstar uses a constellation of 48 satellites owned and operated by Globalstar Inc. (USA) and three locally owned ground stations in Australia built at a total cost of about $70 million, to provide its services. Globalstar Inc. has recently announced a $1.3 billion plan to replace its entire satellite constellation providing reliable voice and higher speed data services through until 2025.
Globalstar Australia is a sister company of telecommunications business Think Mobile and is owned by Pivotel Group.
Pivotel Group also offers wholesale carrier services such as bulk messaging and 'white labelled' call centres through their wholly owned subsidiary company Pivotel Communications Pty. Ltd.
Further information about the race is available at www.brisbanetogladstone.com.au website or by telephoning race organisers, Queensland Cruising Yacht Club on (07) 3269 4588.
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