Communication?

[MattsGirl]

Hey everybody, I haven't been on in a while, but I have a question! Matt just got new orders and he is going to be on a ship. So my question is, is there internet on a ship? and will he have phone service?! He is supposed to finish out his contract on this ship, so he'll be there a couple of years, and I guess I'm wondering how this is going to affect our communication?

Thanks

[stars_and_spurs]

it really depends. there is internet but its not the best and its not usually like wireless kinda on a DSL and sometimes there is only one or two computers so they are shared (long wait times) and phone service when he can usually when they stop somewheres. all I can say is email email email. usually he can email you a quick short and sweet one and call you when he can. just like a deployment. or somtimes he could be like a lot of my cousins who are "stationed" on a ship but dont necessarily "LIVE" all the time. they will stay on the ship for a few days and then go to the barracks and then back on the ship ... kinda like duty .... but every ship is different every situation is different. Lots of luck!

[MattsGirl]

Thanks Stars,
I guess I kind of figured it would be like that!
Hmmph!

[JakKel98]

My son just recently returned from a 7 month deployment aboard ship. Internet time on ship varies. Depending on mission requirements and operational requirements internet access is often denied. Also location plays a role on whether they get a good connection. They also don't have the greatest bandwidths available so there is limited upload capability. My best advise is to email often but don't get upset or worry if it takes awhile to get a response. It's not that he's ignoring you he just may not have access. You'll hear back eventually.

[MattsGirl]

Thanks JakKel!
I have been pretty lucky the past 2 years, because we have been able to talk everyday, well besides his deployment. Time for another round I guess!

[lovingmymarine]

I think the difference between being "stationed" on a ship and being deployed on one is that the ship probably won't be gone all the time. JakKel is right, communication on ship deployments really really sucks. My guy is on one now and sometimes it would be 3 weeks before I would hear a single word. There is no wifi, so while the ship is out, don't really expect anything. They have to wait in line to use the ships computers and trust me, there aren't many of them. However, since he is "stationed" on a ship, he probably won't actually be on it all the time. He'll be on it if it leaves for some training mission, but most likely he'll spend his work day there and then have a chance to get off and go out into town just like any other job.

In short, communication probably won't be as good as you are used to. And don't expect him to be able to text back right away (there's only one spot on the ship they're allowed to use their cell phones. Otherwise they get in trouble. We did this once. Haha). But unless they are actually out at sea, you should still hear from him pretty frequently.

[MattsGirl]

Thanks LMM!

[lovingmymarine]

No problemo!