New Security Code ISPS for commercial vessels
Under the new International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code, Part A, there is a mandatory requirement to fit an Automatic Identification System (AIS) and a Ships Security Alert System.
By July 2004 over 30,000 SOLAS vessels must be installed with, and have an International Ship Security Certificate, for their AIS and Ships Security Alert System.
The Code relates to Security issues to guard against possible threats such as terrorism, piracy and armed robbery.
The MCA will probably adopt these regulations as part of the large yacht code for red flag vessels as they have with other SOLAS regulations. Other flag authorities will no doubt follow the MCA lead.
Recently charter yachts over 500 gross tons have had to comply with the new ISM code introduced for SOLAS vessels relating to safety. ISPS is in addition to ISM as it exists to dictate measures for Security, not just Safety.
AIS compulsory in Panama Canal
Earlier in the year the Panama Canal Authority announced that, with effect from 1st July 2003, it would be compulsory to carry an Automatic Identification Systems (AIS) in Panama Canal waters. In order to be accepted for transit through the Panama Canal, ALL vessels over 300 gross tons or over 20 meters LOA must be equipped with an AIS transponder that meets the standards set by the International Maritime Organization (IMO). This includes a Pilot Plug and 110VAC as part of the installation.
What is AIS?
The weak link in the current generation of collision-avoidance electronics is the inability to identify any given radar target when multiple contacts are being tracked, especially at night or in reduced visibility. This also applies when vessels have impaired visual and radar visibility due to a harbour wall or bend in a river or canal. This inevitably leads to confusion, and has been cited as a contributing factor to many collisions and near-collisions at sea.
The Automatic Identification Systems (AIS) helps resolve this difficulty by providing a means for ships to exchange identity, position, course, speed and other vital data, with all other nearby ships and shore stations, through a standardised transponder system. The data exchange is totally automatic and transparent to the users. The result is a dramatic improvement in situational awareness for officers of the watch, who will have a clear and unambiguous identification, as well as other vital information from all other AIS-equipped vessels.
AIS is designed to operate in one of the following modes:
* In a ship-to-ship mode for collision avoidance
* As a means for coastal states to obtain information about a ship and its cargo to aid safety and security
* As a traffic management tool when integrated with a Vessel Traffic System (VTS)
What is a Security Alert System?
The purpose of a Ship Security Alert System is to send a covert signal from a ship which is not obvious to anyone on the ship who is not aware of the alert mechanism. It is to be used when the ship wishes to inform a party ashore of a problem with a minimum number of people on board being aware of the action.
It is also a very simple, small and inexpensive method of tracking a vessel or fleet via satellite (Inmarsat D+) and the Internet. The unit, the size of a side plate, is installed simply and discretely with any number of Security Alert buttons.
Using an Internet connection you can instantly view the real time position, speed and heading information of the vessel overlaid on an electronic chart. It displays a record of your vessels track and past voyages.
Management companies can see multiple vessels.
If a Security Alert button is activated an alarm is sent to the host system. The alarm can then be communicated by text to a mobile phone or pager, and /or to an email address, and/or to a fax machine of the company/persons responsible.
Unlike AIS the system is secure and anonymous. Only the host system and the selected persons or company designated by the owner are able to receive the information. Only a code for a vessel is transmitted. The host system translates this to the appropriate parties.
A compliant system also has battery backup should all power be lost or cut on the vessel. The host system can poll the unit for an immediate update and increase or decrease the frequency of the transmissions.
AIS Compliant Systems
The MX Marine (Leica) MX402 Navigation System:
MX-Marine introduced the very first DGPS navigator combining the state-of-the-art Automatic Identification System in one simple unit. The MX420/AIS integrates, seamlessly, the safety of AIS technology with the conveniences of the MX420/8, already the most advanced DGPS navigator on the market.
The Transas AIS System - integrated with your chart plotter:
The stand-alone installation fulfils the SOLAS requirement for an AIS installation. This installation can use the minimum display unit as the main display for setting up the ships own information and for display of the received navigational information with or without full integration with the Transas chart on screen.
Ships Security Alert Compliant System
The MarineTrack Ships Security Alert System:
This is a simple and inexpensive system. It also provides a method of remotely tracking a vessel and displaying the information via the Internet on any computer.
This system complies with the Ships Security Alert System under the ISPS code for SOLAS vessels and guarantees receipt of an Alert within 11 seconds at the server for onward transmission.
The system works with installation of an antenna unit, which is a combined Global Positioning System (GPS) and Inmarsat D+ transceiver a power management unit and back-up batteries with multiple external alarm buttons.
The unit is small and compact (121mm x 121mm x 46mm) enough to be installed discreetly, and in some circumstances can even be buried within the hull or deck fittings. It only requires 12/24 VDC supply to begin
The information of your vessels position, speed and heading is transmitted back to the host server. The information is then converted into a simple visual format and displayed on vectorised electronic charts. All you need is any computer with Internet access to connect to the website to be able to view past voyages as well as the actual (live) position of your vessel.
It also allows a Ships Security Alert Button/s to be installed as per the ISPS code for Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS).
Addendum - stolen yacht true story
In early September 2003 a stolen yacht was apprehended by the Greek Coastguard having been tracked from the North Dalmatian coast en route for the Black Sea. The Greek Coastguard was directed to the pontoon where the yacht had chosen to refuel by the Marine Track host server.
If you would like further information on any of the above products mentioned in this article, or any of E3 services please contact Jason Abbott or Erik Nieuwmeijer at E3 Systems (Palma) on T:+34 971 404208 F:+34 971 404431 or email info@e3s.com