MARITIME USE OF MARITIME USE OF GPSGPS

bybyMahesh Alimchandani Mahesh Alimchandani

Nautical AdvisorNautical AdvisorAustralian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA)Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA)

A Commonwealth Authority

Maritime safety regulator

Largely self funded

Seven member Board

Approximately 200 staff

AMSA

Provide for high standards of maritime safety

Prevent and combat ship-sourced marine pollution

Provide infrastructure to support safe navigation in Australian waters

Provide search & rescue services to maritime & aviation sectors

Primary roles of AMSA

DGPS coverage

alongthe

Queensland Coast

Search and Rescue

GPS in Search and Rescue (SAR)

Effectiveness and efficiency of SAR operations

Accurate reporting and presentation of SAR

information (target location, drift etc.)

Use in GIS

Reduces incident costs

GPS in marine pollution GPS in marine pollution prevention and responseprevention and response

Examples:

• Location, tracking & mapping of oil & chemical spills at sea and ashore.

• Accurate deployment of spill & vessel emergency response equipment.

GPS in marine pollution GPS in marine pollution prevention and responseprevention and response

Examples (contd.) :

• Determination of jurisdictional responsibility in maritime zones.

• Display of spatial data e.g. environmental resources under threat from pollution.

GPS/GIS systems employed Hand held GPS systems

(Palm top IPAQ) Desktop Geographic

Information Systems (ArcView & Arc GIS)

Development of National Oil Spill Response Atlas (GIS)

Satellite tracking of buoys (spill movement)

Airborne & satellite surveillance (investigations and enforcement)

Automatic and autonomous transmission

exchange of information such as ship name, position, speed and course over ground

VHF maritime band - 2 designated channels

communication in broadcast mode - everybody can “see” each other

based on the’ 4S’ principle - Ship to Ship and Ship to Shore communications, using STDMA (Self Organising Time Division Multiple Access)

High capacity - over 2000 position reports/min

Universal AIS - Basic Features

AIS-functional requirements ship-to-ship mode for

collision avoidance as a means for littoral

States to obtain information about a ship and its cargo

as a VTS tool (traffic management)

AIS - principles of STDMA

Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS)

Chart Database

Chart Updates

Vessel’s Dimensions and

Manoeuvring Characteristics Log Speed

Compass HeadingRadar:: - - Video / ARPA

1020 30 40

50

KTS

GPS/Radio Navaid

Echo Sounder

AIS / VTMS

Real-time Tides

Weather,,Ice Forecasts

NavigationRecord

Automatic Alarms /

WarningsContinuous, Automatic,

Route Monitoring

NavigationTools

Route Planning / Checking

ECDIS

Strictly regulated (via SOLAS) Integrated navigation displayAutomatic route monitoringUses official electronic chartsAutomatic, regular chart updates

Strategic Plan for Navigational Systems in

Australian waters SOLAS obligation Set with a ten-year outlook Key elements of the Plan:

Existing network to service current requirements

Develop systems to sustain future performance

Transparency to industry for levies spent

Future systems Assessed using contemporary risk

management practices Must respond to changes in:

Shipping patterns

Technology

Community expectations

CONCLUSION Australia’s uniqueness (small population,

large coastline, heavily dependent on seaborne trade).

Australia’s on-going challenge:

enhancements in environment protection and safety standards versus the safe and efficient movement of vessels.

Continue to be innovative and seek cost – effective solutions.