Automatic Identification System - Essay Example

Navigation System - Automatic Identification System (AIS) of the Organization: Purpose of the paper: To know the development of AIS and its usefulness in SOLAS and Non-SOLAS vessels. Theme: Navigation System-Automatic Identification System (AIS) development and its future. SOLAS Vs. Non-SOLAS System. Written By: Mita Devi Date: 04.01.06 Abstract: The purpose of this paper is to know what Automatic Identification system is d what are the technical evaluations in it and the practices it includes. This paper says Automatic Identification introduced for the safety and identification of the ships. This is basically to secure the subjects and their lives in the sea and to identify any unknown objects in it. The development is an ongoing process. Though IAS has developed a lot but it has to go a long. As a part of SOLAS system what the AIS is doing actually and how the SOLAS and non-SOLAS vessels differ from each other has outlined in this paper. It also discusses briefly the history of SOLAS and AIS. This paper concludes the note by putting value conditions and self - completed measured for AIS system. Introduction: As defined by wikipedia encyclopedia Automatic Identification System (AIS) is a system used by ships and vessel traffic systems (VTS) principally for identification of vessels at sea. AIS helps to resolve the difficulty of identifying ships when not in sight (e.g. at night, in radar blind arcs or shadows or at distance) by providing a means for ships to exchange ID, position, course, speed and other ship data with all other nearby ships and VTS stations (Ref-1). AIS development started in the year 1997 with the recommendation of IMO to establish a performance recommendation for a wordwide system. It works by integrating a standardized Very High Frequency (VHF)1 transponder system with a Global Positioning System (GPS)2 receiver and other navigational equipment on board ship (Gyro compass, Rate of turn indicator, etc.). This system captures and reflect the datato all the solas system implemented places and provides a quick, reliable and accurate information to the management which helps in avoiding any kind of mishappen. AIS is revolutionizing observation and control of shipping through increased maritime safety and through the use of the information generated that enhance the management of shipping operations. US Coast Guard Navigation Center , http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/enav/ais/how_AIS_works.htm, July 12th 2005 The Purpose of automatic identification systems are To provide a means for ships to exchange ID, position, course, speed and other ship data with all other nearby ships and VTS stations to resolve the difficulty of identifying ships when not in sight to give information to the authorities of Marine Costal Board about the routes of cargos and ships to rescue the centers and costal harbors authorities acting like a task force of costal police to increase the situational awareness to decrease the workload for authorities those who are monitoring and controlling the costal and offshore waterways. The Development and Future of AIS In the year 1997 International Maritime Organization (IMO) has recommended for a worldwide AIS development. With the IMO order the Coast Guard Research and Development Center (R&DC)3 in the year 1998, participated in the development of AIS technology internationally. It developed tools like computer simulation, to assess the capability and capacity of a network of AIS devices for AIS with the International Electro-technical Commission (IEC) 4, International Telecommunications Union (ITU)5, National Marine Electronics Association (NMEA)6, etc. A long record of supplying infrastructure, GPS reference networks and EGNOS7 monitoring systems are the basic element or equipment for AIS development (Ref-2). The design and development of AIS depend on the standards and recommendations of the shipping boards. For the reasons like safety, efficiency, prevention and response to ship to ship-caused pollution, use of vessels for smuggling through waterway, to protect from terrorist attack and to be in the allotted zone, the marine transportation system need to develop a system where the VHF will catch the information and will pass on the same to the board manager while receiving the information from the ship manager and sending it right away to the board in a fastest base. This need of marine transportation lay to develop the Automatic Information System (AIS). The components for developing AIS, which are combined in a fully automatic and broadcast capture transponder unit, are (a) Global Positioning System that provides particular location where the ship is and navigation Data or map reading that which gives a direction to the captain. (b) Hardware (Computer) that stores the information together with the ship/boat/vessel speed, name, call sign, heading, course, etc, and the last but not the least one (C) VHF transceiver which helps in capturing the slow mode information and generating a faster mode to deliver the information at the correct time to a correct place. Broadcasts are made through this VHF transceiver. Broadcasts are made on two VHF channels, subdivided into 2250 time slots each. A minimum keyboard/display (three lines of alphanumeric characters) is an integral part of the AIS device. It is primarily intended for control of the device. A standard marine interface (IEC 61162-1/ NMEA 0183) allows a variety of display methods (Ref-2). (d) A Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) receiver, which receives data from all the sources and send it to the processor. (e) A microprocessor receives and accepts data from vessels sensors and packages this data with the identification and particulars into a digital signal, which automatically broadcast and prepares the received data for display. This development gets a self-organizing logic that allows the units to operate without interfering in each other's activity. Picture from Marine log highlights regarding the AIS and SOLAS system. http://www.marinelog.com/DOCS/ais.html, 2005 Picture from Marine log highlights regarding the AIS and SOLAS system. http://www.marinelog.com/DOCS/ais.html, 2005 The basic three functional area of this AIS system are (i) it works as a collision-avoidance tool, (ii) provide information about a vessel and its cargo to local authorities and (iii) to assist the authorities engaged in vessel traffic management. While developing the AIS the technician has to keep in mind that vessel need to comply with the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS). In future the International Marine Organization is going to make AIS as mandatory for all kind of vessels in sea. An Automated information system complies with SOLAS, which will be mandatory for all the ships to improve safety at sea by enabling the tracking of vessels by shore-based stations and other vessels. GEM elettronica, Advanced electronic system for defense and civilian maritime applications. http://www.gemrad.com/download/ais.pdf, 2005 The new technologies like Radio frequency Identification (RFID), Geographic Information System (GIS), Higher version of mobile technologies being a part of AIS takes it future towards a more complicated technical term where as for the user its going to be more simple. Sometimes when the costal captain is away from the particular board there is a chance that the radio frequency will automatically catch the data that generated from VHF and will transform the necessary information to the site or to the vessel to take the immediate action on it. The AIS in future may not need a real human captain in the ship where as the robot system in it will work for its way in the seawater and will get to its destination automatically. It may happen that in future there won't be any need of SOLAS system in the ships where as the AIS will take care of it automatically. Recommended AIS targeted symbol by IOM, http://www.rdc.uscg.gov/iws/pubs/ais-paper.pdf, 2005 In future the AIS is going to capture the Supply chain management information system in the ship where the barcode system also has not gone. In cargos Supply Chain Management is a very big system in itself as the goods and raw materials transportation takes place. Starting from identification to load and delivery everything involves a process in itself. The Automatic Identification system in future is going to remove the repetitive work and make the process at each level faster by identifying the requirement and placing the correct objects in the places in a faster way. SOLAS and a non-SOLAS system. The tragic Titanic accident in April 1912 led to the concern for the safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) and the committee and its amendments formed in the year 1914. The main purpose of this amendment is to provide minimum safety in terms of construction, equipment maintenance and operations of ships when they are on the waterways. There is flag system of it, which implies that the particular ship is under the code and its requirement. The second, third and fourth SOLAS International conventions ware formed in the year 1929,1948 and 1960. The amendment formed in the year 1960 ware came to regularization only in the year 1965 and it was one of the major steps taken by Imo to modernize and to get revolution with the technological inventions in the ship information system and life saving equipments. But the result of it didn't come up well so in the year 1974 which considered as a landmark in SOLAS system for IMO. It tried to regularize the things with entering into an automatic safety mode. (Ref-3) AIS apply only to SOLAS convention and assure security and pollution free environment at sea. Whereas a Non SOLAS vessel as defined in IMO the domestic Ships, small fishing boats are not covered with AIS. Recreational and commercial vessels come under Non-SOLAS vessels. They are not visible to shipboard and AIS shore stations. Some nations showed their interest to use AIS technology to monitor fishing in their littoral waters by requiring commercial fishing vessels. There are discussions going on to develop simplified AIS, which can be uploaded on Non-SOLAS vessels. These devices might be shorter-range combined transmit/receive devices transmitting limited information at a reduced update rate, or in some cases receive-only, terminals receiving and displaying AIS data from other vessels, but not transmitting STDMA data. Specifications are yet to be determined for these types of equipment. (Ref-4) SEMINAR ON MARITIME SECURITY FOR NON-SOLAS VESSELS 10 May 2005, IMO SEMINAR ON MARITIME SECURITY FOR NON-SOLAS VESSELS 10 May 2005, IMO From the Seminar presentation pictures it is clear that non-SOLAS system vessels are more prone to meet threats. Now the National Marine Distress and Safety Communications System (NMDSCS)8 for Domestic Non-SOLAS Vessels provides 24 hors distress and safety communication services for vessels that operate outside the provisions of the safety of life at sea. It also provides communication between vessels and to the relevant search and rescue authority with the radio frequency. The increasing use of mobile and cellular technology taken as a communication media for non-SOLAS vessels, for its communication system. But there is a chance that the information will reach to the third party and there is also a chance that the vital information may lose or misinterpreted. The cellular system also doesn't provide a long range of activity. It has a minimum coverage area for which if the vessel has crossed the particular area then the message can't reach to them. The next threat in this is that the mobile phones are having a limited battery and more prone to damage from water. The basic difference between the SOLAS and Non-SOLAS vessels is SOLAS vessels are monitored and guarded under the SOLAS amendment and watched world wide where as Non-SOLAS vessels can move only in a territorial unit. AIS system must be compiled with SOLAS system vessels or in other way its better to say that in all the SOLAS vessels AIS technology is must where as non-SOLAS vessels it's a complimentary. The main intension for a SOLAS system is to provide safety to the subjects traveling in the ship. To provide the sea a pollution free environment. SOLAS system with AIS technology together gets an excellent shipping environment and makes the traveler feel happy and safe about their lives. The coverage of the NMDSCS shall include all coastal waters within 200 nautical miles and it is outside the scope of the system to provide general communications or vessel traffic recording. The technologies used by the NMDSCS are High Frequency (HF) voice radio, Very High Frequency voice radio (VHF) radio, satellite communications and satellite beacons9 providing a selected technologies options that allow vessel operators to choices the best suit construction of their vessel and the area of operation. SOLAS system covers and transmits any object or hurdle immediately to the shipboard where as non-SOLAS vessels are unable to get so as the mobile or cellular technology is not of that frequency like VHF. By the end of 2004 all SOLAS vessels over 500GT (300GT on international voyages) and all passenger vessels irrespective of size will be required to carry AIS and to maintain the system in operation at all times. This system is referred to as Class A AIS. Non-SOLAS vessels may carry this system on a voluntary basis. Standards for a lower cost Class B AIS for non-SOLAS vessels are at an advanced stage of development. (Ref-5) Recommendation coverage area and security system for non-SOLAS vessels To conclude it is better to say that SOLAS system is necessary for all kind of Cargo ships where as introduction of AIS for navigation is an added advantage. In recent years the growing terrorism and traffic problem in seaways needs to have an alert system for the vessels. AIS navigation system acts as a protector and costal guard by providing immediate information to the vessels. May not the high tech AIS but the low end AIS with limited technical specification need to be implemented in all the ships. The need of implementing an AIS system in all the shipyard can be well understood from the picture below. SEMINAR ON MARITIME SECURITY FOR NON-SOLAS VESSELS 10 May 2005, IMO References: 1. wikipedia, free encyclopedia for reference and editing, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Automatic_Identification_System]. 2. M. J. Lewandowski, Potomac Management Group, and D. J. Pietraszewski, U. S. Coast Guard Research and Development Center. For USCG R&D Center Project 2410.5-Vessel Traffic Management Research, http://www.rdc.uscg.gov/iws/pubs/ais-paper.pdf, 2005 3. U.S. Cost Guard life saving and fire safety standards, http://www.uscg.mil/hq/g-m/mse4/solas.htm, 06.12.02 4. The Complete Guide to AIS, http://www.mx-marine.com/about_us/ais.html, 2004 5. Commissioners of Irish Lights, 16 Lower Pembroke Street, Dublin2, Built for Business by Adnet .http://www.cil.ie/sh687x4580.html, 2005. 6. Shipboard Automatic Identification System Displays, Meeting the needs of mariners, Special Report 273, Transportation research Board of the National academies,2003. 7. Saab System, a leading supplier of customized decision superiority system, http://www.saabsystems.com.au/resources/ais-ds.pdf 8. U.S. Coast Guard navigation center, http://www.4marine-electronics.com/news-auto-identification-systems.htm 9. Kongsberg Maritime, Global source for marine and offshore electronics, http://www.km.kongsberg.com/KS/WEB/NOKBG0240.nsf/0/96A02F9061E54FC6C1256C700043DD06OpenDocument, 2005 10. International Marine Organization (IMO), http://www.imo.org/Newsroom/mainframe.asptopic_id=583&doc_id=2168, 2005 11. IMO res. MSC.74(69), annex 3Resolution A.857(20), annex 1, section 2.3.4 12. safety at sea, Feb,2005, IMO res. MSC.74(69), annex 3 Resolution A.857(20), annex 1, section 2.3.4 13. http://www.ipe.nt.gov.au/whatwedo/marinesafety/nonsolas/pdf/non-solas.pdf 14. http://www.japantransport.com/conferences/2005/05/pr_fujiwara.pdf 15. http://www.nmsc.gov.au/documents/NMDSCS%20Specification%20V0_5a-%20Public%20Comment%20Draft.pdf 16. http://www.nmsc.gov.au/documents/NMDSCS%20Specification%20V0_5a-%20Public%20Comment%20Draft.pdf 17. http://www.amsat.org/amsat/articles/houston-net/beacons.html 18. http://www.uais.org/AISandnon-SOLASvessels.htm 19. http://www.nmsc.gov.au Read More