Kongsberg Norcontrol IT Helps Demonstrate Future of Maritime Navigation

Specially adapted Kongsberg Norcontrol IT C-Scope software formed the platform for an in depth MarNIS (Maritime Navigation and Information Services) demonstration, held at the MCA's Highcliffe Training Center on Feb 13 and 14, 2007. The event, attended by MarNIS members and stakeholders from all over Europe demonstrated progress in the further development of electronic navigation (E-Navigation) within the EU 6th Frame Work Program. Kongsberg Norcontrol IT is a key member of MarNIS, which consists of 47 partners and 12 sub partners. The company's C-Scope forms the front end of a new concept for the future of seaborne navigation by MarNIS called Maritime Operation Services (MOS), which is being developed to integrate the disparate information channels already available into one complete system. The intention is that a MOS operator(s) can view and utilise information from specialized services at one operator station, including: Coastal VTS, Oil Pollution Response, Search & Rescue and Maritime Assistance Services (MAS).

The UK Maritime & Coast Guard Agency hosted the demonstration, and have pledged to play a large part in the continuing development of the MOS and the MarNIS project. The MOS version of C-Scope produces its Traffic Image via AIS, Radar and other sensors, including the forthcoming Long Range Identification and Tracking (LRIT) and Long Range Reporting (LRR). A key focus of the MOS concept is to create a pro-active service by introducing MarNIS Risk Areas (MaRA), which enable the operator - in the case of the demo, an MCA VTS operator based at a coastal MRCC - to set alarms when vessels enter certain pre-determined areas.

MaRA zones are extremely dynamic and are implemented based on several factors including live weather, current and tide data, and AIS and other database information of every vessel in the area. At this stage in the development of the MOS, each vessel is assigned a risk value based on algorithms, in turn based on values such as distance offshore, type of vessel and risk to human life/environment. This information is gathered via the various integrated MOS data inputs in order to automatically generate a risk value, enabling operators to prioritize and gain a greater understanding of the current situation. The next step in the development of MOS is a three month live trial at the Milford Haven MRCC in the UK.