A company which provides satellite monitoring systems for boats has won a £135,000 contract with a Caribbean cruise ship line.

Shoreham-based Marine Track gives ship owners the technology to locate the exact whereabouts of their vessels from anywhere in the world by simply logging on to the internet.

The system works by using satellite tracking devices to locate vessels and enables users to pass and receive information via computer. Its crime-fighting possibilities were put to the test recently when Marine Track worked with police to track and recover two stolen yachts.

The company, founded in 2000, has just secured a contract with Royal Caribbean Lines after exhibiting at a trade fair in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

The successful deal follows two years of working with government trade body UK Trade and Investment.

Marine Track managing director Howard Wilks said: "Colin Melhuish from UK Trade and Investment enrolled us on the Passport to Export scheme straight away, enabling us to access funding to exhibit at trade shows in the US, Singapore, Monaco, Germany, Holland, Italy and Australia.

"These have provided lots of potential sales leads over the last two years, many of which have come to fruition.

"We really wouldn't be where we are today if it wasn't for the help of UK Trade & Investment.

"Looking forward there are two factors which are set to influence our export potential.

"Firstly, it is now a legal requirement for all commercial ships to have a security alert system which can be activated covertly.

"We have been able to adapt our product to meet the new legislation - a move which has opened up a whole new revenue stream.

"Secondly, the heightened awareness of security issues now being felt by distribution industries around the world has led us into discussions with a trucking firm and even oil pipeline companies in the Middle East eager to utilise our tracking system."

Colin Melhuish said: "Marine Track is a smart company which has been able to adapt its product quickly in order to take advantage of emerging markets."