Leveraging satellite technology to monitor leisure boats and enhance tourist safety in Malaysia

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Mataking Island off the coast in Sabah, east Malaysia is globally recognised as one of the best resorts in the world for diving enthusiasts to pursue their passion. The Reef Dive Resort and Tours is a leading hospitality provider and dive tour operator on the island, and welcomes thousands of visitors every year.
 

The Challenge

Customer safety has long been a priority for the resort. It is essential to know where the tourist boats travel during guest excursions in order to mitigate against customers going off course. If they experience an accident or injury at sea, knowing the exact location where to send help can be lifesaving.

Sea diving is an inherently risky activity. Even for an experienced diver, outings in unfamiliar waters compound these risk factors. Furthermore, historical incidents of tourist kidnappings have meant that personal safety and security is never far from mind. The resort’s owners were keen to install a tracking system that would enable them to keep tabs on their valued guests so that they can despatch help in an emergency.
 

The Solution

In 2015, the resort’s management team sought to find a specialist equipment reseller with deep expertise in telecommunications technology and the capability to deploy a reliable  tracking solution across the resort’s fleet of leisure vessels. She approached specialist Globalstar Value Added Reseller AECO Technologies Sdn Bhd, a leading provider of wireless and satellite solutions in Malaysia and across the Southeast Asia market.

The management team wanted to deploy a reliable tracking system that would monitor its fleet of operational vessels, passenger boats and other leisure craft that the resort rents out to visitors. Such a system would help the operations team to always know where the resort’s vessels are located, enabling alerts if any of the boats strays off course and gets lost. In the event of an accident or other emergency, it is critical that the Resort’s operations team can be alerted immediately and, if necessary, they can rapidly engage local first responders.

Based in Kuala Lumpur, AECO Technologies Sdn. Bhd. recommended a tracking solution based on trusted and economical Globalstar satellite technology. The company created a bespoke tracking device which could easily be installed on each vessel and connected via satellite to a security centre located within the resort’s premises. The solution was built on Globalstar’s SmartOne C satellite enabled asset tracker. AECO Technologies devised an easy-to-use interface that would enable the resort’s operations team to keep tabs on its diverse fleet of vessels.

Such has been the reliability and fault-free operational success of this tracking platform that in 2025 the resort upgraded to the new-generation SmartOne Solar asset tracker.

Fuelled by the Sun, SmartOne Solar transforms the economics of satellite-enabled IoT  asset tracking. SmartOne Solar offers ultra-low maintenance and cost-efficient tracking with over eight years of serviceable life before the need to recharge. The systems ubiquitous connectivity, even when other communications networks are unavailable, is thanks to Globalstar’s worldwide satellite constellation in Low Earth Orbit (LEO).

At the core of both SmartOne Solar and SmartOne C is an accelerometer that alerts users to any unexpected motion, such as attempts of theft. The device can dynamically report asset status and monitor faults, both of which can significantly enhance operating efficiency. 

AECO Technologies Head of Special Projects Farzreeq Emir says, “Globalstar satellite technology has long proven to be the ideal choice for economical asset tracking that is reliable and far-reaching, even when the user is beyond the coverage of radio and other telecom networks, such as during far-flung sea expeditions.”

“SmartOne Solar is the true definition of a game changer with its always-on connectivity combined with very low maintenance,” he added. We're honoured to continue to help The Reef Dive Resort and Tours grow its business, safeguard its marine assets and, critically enhance visitor safety with SmartOne Solar.”

“When visitors come to experience the magical Mataking Island and our wonderful sea life, we always want to ensure that their experiences and the memories they take home are exceptional,” said the Resort’s owner.

“An important part of achieving this goal is ensuring that our guests stay as safe as possible. We greatly appreciate our long relationship of trust with AECO Technologies, and the highly effective and reliable satellite communications provided by Globalstar,” the owner added.

About AECO Technologies
Founded in 1989, AECO Technologies Sdn Bhd is a leading provider of wireless technology solutions and electronic products in Malaysia, with 37 regional offices and over 350 dealers nationwide. In 2015 the company became a value added reseller of Globalstar products and solutions. Product design, software engineering, solution hardware integration, distribution, and after-sales service are all carried out under one roof at AECO Technologies. In addition to supplying to consumers, the company supports the maritime sector, including commercial fishing, along with tourism, oil and gas and other industry sectors. Government agencies also figure among AECO Technologies’ customer base, including military and law enforcement entities. Outside of Malaysia, the company has offices in Cambodia and Vietnam.
 

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