STARLINK Maritime is quickly becoming the standard for vessel connectivity thanks to its high throughput and low latency. But it is not a matter of mounting the antenna and switching it on: without proper integration into the onboard network you create security gaps and failover problems. Here is the checklist Ocean Connect uses when commissioning STARLINK on managed vessels.
1. Antenna location
- Wide, unobstructed view of the sky. Masts, radar scanners, existing satellite domes and funnels cause repeated drops.
- Keep out of radar beam paths and mount on a low-vibration structure with a dedicated bracket.
- Respect cable length limits and seal penetrations with waterproof glands.
2. Power and UPS
- Put the power supply and router behind a UPS. Even a momentary blackout costs minutes of reboot and re-acquisition.
- Feed from a dedicated communication-equipment breaker and label everything.
3. Onboard network integration
- Disable the STARLINK router Wi-Fi (or use bypass mode) and connect it to a WAN port of the onboard firewall (UTM). An internet path that bypasses the firewall is the first thing class cyber security audits flag.
- Configure WAN redundancy with the existing maritime VSAT and 4G/LTE links, including priorities and failover conditions (latency, packet loss).
- Separate the business network (bridge, office) from crew welfare Wi-Fi with VLANs, and prioritise business traffic.
- Verify that routing for existing services such as vessel e-mail and navigation data is unchanged.
4. Account and plan
- Choose the service area policy and data plan (priority vs. standard data) that fits the trading route.
- Keep the management account under the owner or manager and register each terminal in the asset inventory.
5. Testing and handover
- Record throughput and latency tests, VSAT ↔ STARLINK failover tests and Wi-Fi coverage per zone in a report.
- Include firmware versions, configuration backups and the network diagram in the handover documents.
6. Operation
- Monitor traffic and faults remotely and control usage spikes (OS updates, video streaming) by policy.
- Inspect the antenna, cabling and grounding during regular onboard visits.
Ocean Connect handles STARLINK Maritime installation and commissioning end to end — firewall integration, VSAT failover and remote monitoring at sea (Starlink Maritime commissioning). Contact us via the inquiry page or our 24-hour helpdesk (+82-70-7588-0611).