In light of the heart-wrenching disasters that have wiped out homes, buildings, utilities, power plants, piers and the infrastructure of society along coastal areas of Japan, the Japanese Coast Guard has set up mobile phone base stations on boats in collaboration with domestic telephone companies.

Envisioned to be utilized during coastal disasters when communication systems fail and are in dire need, backup mobile phone base stations were tested on boats moored offshore.

The base stations are connected to the land-based cellular network via satellite links. Apparatus, including a 15m parabolic antenna, is mounted on different locations of the boat and can provide essential communication links during disasters.

A clever use of the modern-day tools of communications and the open water.

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