History of GeoComms International

In June of 1997 a request by the Royal New Zealand Coast Guard was made to gather information on head protection with inbuilt communications for RHIB use (Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat).

Information obtained showed many forms of head protection with communications being used. Most of the International Coast Guard groups were found to be using systems that were hard wired to the vessel's internal communication systems. Plugging helmets into work or duty stations attained the person-to-person communications needed. This presented a number of problematic issues for crews:

• Only intercom or open VHF were attainable, not both
• Communication were only effective within the work area
• Being plugged in restricted working ability
• Plug fitting's were found to corrode easily
• Poor communications from wind and noise during transmissions at high speeds
• Crewmembers experienced neck stress due to types of helmets being used.
• Heat stress from helmet choices
• Boom mic's proved ineffectual under high speeds and hazardous to the mouth area

After we presented this information to the RNZCC they put out a request for a helmet communication design with the following specifications criteria:

• Lightweight helmet design for RHIB crews
• Non-Tethered or hardwired to vessel
• VHF/UHF & short range Intercom capable
• All equipment to be waterproof to IP67 standard

At GeoComms we assembled a team of engineers and members of the Search and Rescue community to begin research on our design. There were two distinct challenges faced by our team from the outset. How do we overcome neck stress with the helmet weight and the waterproofing of equipment for the marine environment? Many of the issues surrounding neck stress were solved after we commissioned a study at the University of Otago in New Zealand. The GeoComms Neck Stress Study (PDF format 2.09 MB) has now been made available. The challenges of waterproofing equipment have simply been a function of continuous design changes and thorough testing by established RHIB user groups. The Australian & New Zealand Navy's and Coast Guards have played a vital role in this area for us.

Our continuing goal at GeoComms is to improve upon the designs of our communications systems. 2004 was a turning point in our company with the roll out of our 2nd generation of systems ready for sale throughout the world.