Cell phones soon to work in the ocean

The days of running off to sea to escape problems on land could be over as mobile connectivity hits the ocean.

Irish mobile maritime communications company Blue Ocean Wireless has teamed up with picocell developer ip.access to develop the system.

For crews, separated from their families for months on end, the ability to be able to make and receive calls from their mobiles will be a big boon.

Previously merchant ship crews had to rely on expensive satellite phones.

The new system will also rely on satellite communication. A picocell - a small base station that extends mobile coverage - will be installed in accommodation areas of the ship.