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Vessel Traffic Systems News

03 Oct 2019

AIS Provide Skidmarks on the Ocean

Image: Rik van Hemmen

Many years ago, I received a call from an attorney who wanted me to get on the plane to Houston right away to take a look at damage on two ships that had collided in the approaches to Houston.He told me that both vessels had become confused, had started to turn and managed to occupy the same bit of ocean at the same time. His preliminary analysis indicated that, if he could prove the other vessel turned first, his vessel was in the clear.This was in the late eighties or early nineties, the course recorders had not been running, there was no VDR, and no electronic navigation record.

19 Jun 2017

Disruption 'Powered by Transas'

Frank Coles (Photo: Transas)

Maritime Reporter & Engineering News caught up with Frank Coles, the ubiquitous leader of Transas, fresh from his company’s user’s conference in Malta. In typical candor, Coles paints his picture of maritime and shipping’s future. With a captive audience of more than 400 clients in scenic Malta for several days earlier this year, one might be surprised when Frank Coles admits that the meeting was not all about Transas. “I wanted something completely different. I didn’t want to talk about Transas, I wanted to talk about the industry and what we can learn from aviation.

02 Oct 2012

3D Vessel Tracking: A New Course in Port Traffic Control

Marine operators and entities have long struggled with the most efficient, effective means to monitor and manage traffic in increasingly busy ports around the world. The marine industry, unlike the airline industry, is unique in that mixed with high levels of commercial traffic is a broad and ever changing mix of personal watercraft of varying sizes, with equal variables in terms of operator experience. Thus the ability to rapidly collect, compute, disseminate and act on information is central to safe port operations. A U.K.

07 Aug 2012

Ove Bråthen strengthens Scandinavian sales team at MARIS

Ove BrĂĄthen Director, Sales Scandinavia

Maritime Information Systems AS, Norway (MARIS) has appointed Ove Bråthen Director, Sales Scandinavia. Mr Bråthen, who holds an electronics degree with focus on radar and underwater acoustics, brings more than 25 years’ international sales experience to the company, having spent the first six years of his career with the Royal Norwegian Navy. After working at sea on a number of seismic research vessels, Mr Bråthen spent the next decade as Sales Manager for Schlumberger Oilfield Services, selling high-tech products to the seismic, offshore and defence industries.

12 Jul 2012

C-Vu 3D VTS: New 3D Vessel Tracking System

Cargo ship entering Southampton.

The new course to follow in controlling port traffic. A step change to enhance safety and improve operational efficiency. Large ships navigating narrow waterways are always vulnerable to accidents – one only has to think of the Sea Empress tanker disaster at Milford Haven, or more recently the wrecking of the Costa Concordia. Managing their progress, usually in and out of ports and in other restricted channels, has understandably assumed a critical role in ensuring their safety.

08 Oct 2001

AIS: The Future is Now

The IMO deadline for fitting new ships with Automatic Identification Systems (AIS) is less than one year away. After July 1, 2002, all newbuilds over 300 grt must be equipped with an approved AIS transponder system. Leica Geosystems, one of the pioneering companies in AIS technology, recently published a 28-page book ("A Complete Guide to Automatic Identification Systems") that is loaded with useful information on AIS technology, how it works, international standards and carriage requirements. At the Norshipping exhibition in Oslo, Leica unveiled the first fully integrated GPS/DGPS/AIS shipboard system meeting all IMO, IEC and ITU equipment specifications. The following extracts are reprinted with permission from Leica Geosystems. What is AIS?

31 Oct 2003

Coast Guard Holding Public Meetings on AIS Requirements

December to facilitate discussion on this issue. vessels that are on international voyages. also required to have AIS when they are operating in U.S. Vessel Traffic Systems or Vessel Movement Reporting Systems. for installation of this equipment is either July 1, 2004, or Dec. depending on the vessel. expansion of the AIS requirement to other vessels and waterways. vessels to use AIS. channels. * November 5, 2003, 9 a.m. Hale Boggs Federal Building, Room B100, 501 Magazine Street, New Orleans. * November 13, 2003, 9:30 a.m. Museum, Museum Theater, 18 Johnny Cake Hill, New Bedford, Mass. Seattle. and exemptions and costs. comments on the ten questions and any additional AIS issues. period ends on Jan. 5, 2004.

10 Dec 2003

Public Hearing Held on AIS Requirements

The Coast Guard is seeking additional public input on expanding requirements for the Automated Identification System (AIS) at a public meeting. Currently, Coast Guard regulations require AIS be installed on commercial vessels that are on international voyages. Other commercial vessels are also required to have AIS when they are operating in U.S. waters that have Vessel Traffic Systems or Vessel Movement Reporting Systems. The deadline for installation of this equipment is either July 1, 2004, or Dec. 31, 2004, depending on the vessel. The Coast Guard asks the public to comment on the expansion of the AIS requirement to other vessels and waterways. The Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002 specifies requirements for vessels to use AIS.

19 Dec 2001

Norcontrol IT Wins Contract to Upgrade VTS for North Sea Draugen Platform

Norcontrol IT has won the contract to upgrade the Vessel Traffic Management and Information System (VTMIS) for the Draugen Offshore Oil Platform in the North Sea. The contract also includes a five-year Long Term System Support Program (LT-SSP). The Draugen Platform is owned and operated by A/S Norske Shell and currently uses a Norcontrol IT VOC 90 system. This system will be replaced with the latest VTMIS 5060, which can be upgraded to communicate with other VTS systems in the North Sea. The VTMIS 5060 has the built in capability to meet future government requirements regarding communication between land and offshore platforms. Draugen Offshore Oil Platform has been in operation since 1993 and has an average production of 220,000 barrels of oil per day.

03 Sep 2002

Transas Marine and VEI Form Alliance

Transas Marine (USA), Inc. of Lynwood, WA, and Valhalla Enterprises, Inc. (VEI), of Fort Lauderdale, FL, have announced a manufacturers’ alliance aimed at benefiting marine electronic dealers and recreational boaters. The agreement brings together VEI, a world leading manufacturer of flat panel displays and marine computers with Transas Marine, a world leader in electronic navigation products, vessel traffic systems and training solutions, marine surveillance, and simulation systems. Under the new alliance, VEI will distribute select Transas Marine navigation products to Transas Marine’s existing dealer network for the recreational market in the United States, the Caribbean and the Bahamas.

23 Jul 2003

Comment Period Approaching for New AIS Rules

The comment period for vessel owner/operators affected by the Automated Identification System (AIS) ends July 31. AIS is a shipboard broadcast system that acts like a continuous and autonomous transponder, operating in the VHF maritime band. The system allows ships to easily track, identify and exchange pertinent navigation information from one another or ashore; for collision avoidance, security and VTS reporting. “This schedule is of particular importance to fishing vessels that travel to and from Alaska to Seattle,” said Capt. Richard Preston, chief of the Seventeenth Coast Guard District’s Operational Plans and Policy Division in Juneau.

03 Feb 2003

Transas to Provide Systems for PMI

The Pacific Maritime Institute (PMI) coast operation of the Maritime Institute of Technology and Graduate Studies (MITAG’s), has selected Transas Marine USA to provide the Navigational Simulation systems for their new simulation and training facility to be located in the heart of the Port of Seattle. The 15,000 square foot facility will include a new full mission ship simulator to DNV Class A standards with dual instructor stations, as well as secondary bridges for operating interactive exercises. Boasting a combination of the latest visual technologies, model databases, and a uniquely flexible design, the bridge simulator will provide a highly realistic training environment both inside and outside the wheelhouse.

05 Sep 2001

Marine Training Via Simulation: As Real as it Gets

The abandonment of the concept of controlled simulation environment, as per the National Research Council's endorsed simulation classification scheme, would constitute a significant step backwards for the quality and effectiveness of maritime training . Now is the time to re-evaluate the proper role of CBT in training, and, in the process, re-visit training competency and learning proficiency support provided by all simulationtechnologies. Realism, Why Bother? Here is a perspective regarding realism in simulation. A simulation student was complaining to his company office that the simulator he was working on that day was not very realistic. He went on to say that the ship drove too easily, the visual picture was phony, and that the some of the bridge gear was not real equipment.

27 Aug 1999

Q-Mar Partners with Socomar

Q-Mar, specialist in the development of ECDIS for the naval and hydrographic sectors, has formed a partnership with Socomar International to integrate its industrial and commercial activities. The management of both firms is under the direction of president and CEO, J.L. Paul Dionne. Socomar International is a Canadian provider of turnkey management information and navigation systems for the marine geomatics and environment sectors. The company specializes in sensors and integrated systems, vessel traffic systems, geo-spatial data infrastructure (GSDI) systems. Q-Mar has also signed a dealer license agreement with Nautical Data International (NDI) to license and distribute electronic charts from the Canadian Hydrographic Service.

31 Aug 1999

Q-Mar Partners With Socomar

Q-Mar, specialist in the development of ECDIS for the naval and hydrographic sectors, has formed a partnership with Socomar International to integrate its industrial and commercial activities. The management of both firms is under the direction of president and CEO, J.L. Paul Dionne. Socomar International is a Canadian provider of turnkey management information and navigation systems for the marine geomatics and environment sectors. The company specializes in sensors and integrated systems, vessel traffic systems, geo-spatial data infrastructure (GSDI) systems. Q-Mar has also signed a dealer license agreement with Nautical Data International (NDI) to license and distribute electronic charts from the Canadian Hydrographic Service.