Our onsite IT support in Jacksonville, FL received a service request from the customer who operates a commercial merchant vessel docked in Jacksonville, Florida. Based on the customer requirements, here are the scope of work:
Test and Repair Data Jacks
Diagnose and repair Cat5 and Cat6 data jacks according to onsite client POC (Point of Contact) instructions.
Inspect WiFi Cabling
Examine all WiFi cables connected to the switch for potential issues.
Cable Testing & Fault Identification
Test each cable to verify functionality and detect faults.
Cable End Replacement & Connectivity Check
Replace damaged or faulty cable ends as needed.
Ensure proper termination and secure connections.
Retest cables post-replacement to confirm optimal performance.
Issue Documentation
Log any faulty cables, switch ports, or connectivity concerns for future reference.
Final Connection Verification
Confirm that all cables are correctly connected to the switch after repairs.
Infrastructure Assessment
Identify additional cabling issues that may require attention.
Onsite Coordination & Network Support
Collaborate with the onsite POC to assess further network support needs, including Starlink installation setup.
Perform necessary repairs, re-terminations, or replacements.
Drop Testing, Labeling & Termination
Test, label, and properly terminate all network drops.
Final Documentation & Closeout
Capture photos of completed work.
Provide detailed closeout notes summarizing actions taken and any remaining concerns.
Onsite IT Support Inspection and Findings
Our onsite IT technician, arrived at the merchant vessel docked in Jacksonville, FL to assess and perform network cabling maintenance. Upon arrival, he met with the onsite Point of Contact (POC), who provided an overview of the required work and escorted him to the designated areas for inspection.
During the inspection, the Onsite IT technician conducted cable testings on all network connections, including those supporting WiFi access points and desktop workstations. Here’s what was identified:
WiFi and Workstation Cabling
All tested cables were confirmed to be properly terminated and fully functional, with no immediate faults detected.
The technician recommended proactive cable replacement when the ship undergoes dry docking, ensuring long-term network stability.
Engineer Day Room Data Cable
The existing data cable tested successfully with no connectivity issues.
However, a patch cable was found running directly from a workstation to the network switch, which was an unconventional setup. Upon review, the ship’s representative suggested replacing the cable during dry dock.
8-Port Switch Issue on the Bridge
The switch unexpectedly went offline during the inspection.
The technician verified packet transmission and conducted a cable test, which confirmed proper connectivity.
A pinched cable was discovered, which may have contributed to the intermittent connectivity loss.
The switch itself possibly have a faulty port, leading to network interruptions.
Onsite IT Support Recommendations
Based on these findings, the following action items were proposed for when the ship enters dry dock:
Replace aging or potentially compromised cables to prevent long-term connectivity issues.
Replace the patch cable setup in the Engineer Day Room with a properly terminated, structured connection.
Investigate and possibly replace the 8-port switch on the bridge if the issue persists.
Replace any pinched or damaged cables that could cause network instability.
After reviewing these recommendations, the onsite POC confirmed agreement with the proposed actions, ensuring that all necessary updates would be addressed during the vessel’s scheduled maintenance.