'Shiya Amanzi'
SMD Opens Its New Office in Richards Bay.

   
New office at 131 Dollar Drive, Richards Bay.

SMD Telecommunications recently marked another milestone in its 50 year development. On the 16th of November a new office was opened in Richards Bay. SMD is no stranger to Richards Bay having worked on the first vessel to load at the Port and subsequently commencing operations there in 1995. For the last 11 years SMD has operated from a residence in Meerensee but with steady growth over the years ran out of space and the decision was made to open the new office at 131 Dollar Drive.

The opening speechwas given by Arend de Boer in which he highlighted the connection between SMD and Richards Bay which goes far back into history, long before there was a harbour. He also explained the significance of the theme for the evening. "Shiya Amanzi", translated from Zulu as "rise up from the water", was chosen because it symbolised the closing of a circle for SMD in Richards Bay and it holds a promise for the future.

When the founder Duncan Compton James came ashore in the early fifties after his sailing days as a radio officer, he joined SMD in Pinetown. SMD was then involved in manufacturing, in addition to HF radio equipment, sewing machines and drive-in movie theatre loudspeakers. Duncan had to break new ground and one of his first tasks was to take charge of the servicing of the radar on board the South African Air Force Sunderland flying boats. The South African Air Force 35 squadron had a base in Durban Harbour and chose to operate in Northern Zululand from Lake Umzingazi near Richards Bay. The lake was suitable because of its consistent water depth, something that was not reliable in St Lucia. Some time later Duncan was able to buy the company and he converted it to SMD Telecommunications, a marine electronic service company, which is still going strong today after some 50 years.

The office was officially opened by Lynne de Boer by the unveiling of a commemorative mirror.

For the future of Marine Electronics in Richards Bay SMD has laid the basis for further growth. Growth that will undoubtedly take place as Richards Bay is set for further port expansions and an increase in development of industrial plant and facilities. SMD will add it own contribution to this process. To meet these challenges SMD has made the investment in this new office and in factory training on the latest technologies such as Voyage Data Recorders, Satellite communications and the latest radar equipment. To support this, an appropriate investment has been made in spares holdings and test equipment.

SMD has always had safety at sea in mind. Safety at sea is the core, the essence, of our commitment to Marine Electronics. SMD is an accredited service provider with all major classification societies, ABS, BV, DNV, GL, LR, NK for GMDSS surveys, EPIRB, AIS and VDR recertification. This year the Russian Maritime Register was added to this quality approval list. SMD also represents wide range of marine equipment manufacturers. Prominent among these are Consilium, Japan Radio Company, McMurdo Electronics, NERA, Rutter, SAAB Transpondertech, SAM Electronics, TSS International and Yokogawa Denshkiki.

Over the years SMD has expanded its operating area from South Africa to Southern Africa. Frequent visits are made by SMD Technicians to vessels in port from Dakar to Port Sudan and the Indian Ocean Islands

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