The FELCOM18 is FURUNO's new Inmarsat-C Mobile Earth Station. It provides a high quality two-way telex and data link between ships and other parties at sea or on land. All functions and services of the Inmarsat-C system are provided: EGC (Safety NET/FleetNET), distress message handling, two-way digital store-and-forward messaging including polling, data reporting, E-mail, etc. Distress alert are initiated by the remote distress alert unit. The distress message including own ship's position is easily edited. A PC can be used for editing the message via Ethernet when it is supplied with dedicated software.

The FELCOM18 consists of an antenna and display unit with keyboard. The display unit embodies a 10.4" color LCD and processor unit. The distress alert button is incorporated in the display for emergency. Data files and utility program on SD Memory Cards are easily loaded into the processor through the front loading card slot in the display unit. The compact design of display unit and omni-directional antenna unit offer space-saving installation. An optional GPS module is available for position reporting without operator's intervention. GMDSS compliance can be achieved by adding a printer and a AC/DC power supply unit.