In this Meet Our Dealer series, Sea Machines introduces the builders and specialists that make up our global dealer network via Q&A-style interviews. Sea Machines dealers are strategic partners located around the world who are enabled to sell, install and service the company’s line of intelligent command and control systems for workboats. See the growing list of global dealers here.

In the exchange below, Mackay Marine’s Phil L’Esperance, vice president, commercial sales, describes why his company is partnering with Sea Machines, what they offer to customers seeking modern marine autonomy solutions, and more.

Describe your company and services.
L’Esperance: Mackay is a full-time global marine electronics sales and service provider for the commercial maritime market. Our company’s expertise is rich and diverse as we celebrate our 138^th year in business. We were founded by an Irish immigrant and innovator, John Mackay, who laid one of the first transatlantic sub-marine communications cables between North America and Europe in the late 1800s. Innovation has always been part of Mackay’s mantra, just as Sea Machines is today.

Mackay’s multi-faceted business includes navigation systems integration, complemented by our satellite communications division, representing leading and specialty manufacturers to meet the needs of new construction and vessel retrofit projects. Our factory-trained field service teams provide 18,000+ annual on-demand repair and planned inspection services and installations at any port worldwide, coordinated 24/7/365 across four continents.

What is unique about your company?
L’Esperance: Mackay provides end-to-end global sales and service continuity for all customers.  Speak with Mackay in Brazil, talk to one of our representatives in South Africa, email a Mackay tech rep in Singapore, or contact our Mackay World Service hub. You’ll find the same consistent, high level of service Mackay customers have come to expect. Our goal is to provide the same level of quality, value, and convenience at a fair price.

Why is offering autonomous marine technology important?
L’Esperance: We continue to witness the interconnectivity of our world on many levels. One of our core missions is to “futureproof” our customers’ vessels with the latest technologies and innovations to improve the safety and efficiency of both vessel and mariner. Mackay values the importance of Sea Machines’ autonomous technology offerings to the commercial maritime market, which provides increased navigation safety at sea, improved predictability of the marine environment while enhancing the productivity of the mariner.

Why did you choose to become one of our dealers?
L’Esperance: Mackay Marine has been involved with numerous construction projects over the years with several yards. As a premier navigation and communication systems integrator, Mackay was chosen to provide these systems for the new Foss Maritime tugs built by Nichols Bros. Boat Builders in Freeland, Wash. Nichols has been well-known for its excellent design of tugboats, fast ferries, and other commercial platforms for many decades.

The Foss tug Rachael Allen was designated to be fitted with a Sea Machines SM300 system. Mackay was asked to provide information about the nav/com supply to integrate with the SM300.  We were impressed with Sea Machines’ comprehensive design, testing regimen, range of use and ease of operation. Partnering with Foss Maritime, a leader in the maritime workboat community, further cemented the need to become Sea Machines’ largest sales and service dealer.

Partnering with Sea Machines brings synergy between the innovative forces of both companies, focused on the long-term success and sustainability of our customers’ maritime operations.