This can get expensive and is only possible with a personal access number. For short or infrequent calls it is better to pay cash to the radio officer upon completion of the call. For credit card holders there is a public telephone located in the scientific chart room on the 02 deck. Inmarsat charges range from 6-10 dollars per minute depending on the time of day the system is used. There is a three minute minimum on voice communications.
Faxes go over a voice grade circuit.
Data transfers are the most economical as there are no time minimums and large amounts of data can be sent in a short period of time. The third is a 2.5 kW xenon search light operated by remote joystick on the bridge. The light has a very powerful, high intensity, focusing beam and is ideal for locating autonomous instruments and other objects on dark nights. The main display and controls are located on the bridge. A remote display showing fore and aft and lateral velocities is located in the main lab.