Vessel Monitoring Systems Study. Volume II - Appendices.

PDFTech ReportDOT-TSC-CG-80-04.2CG-D-52-80.2Vessel traffic controlShipsCommunication systemsWater transportationHarborsUnited StatesUnited States. Coast GuardBland, R. G.John A. Volpe National Transportation Systems Center, (U.S.)United States. Coast GuardNTL-MARINE/WATERWAYS TRANSPORTATION-MARINE/WATERWAYS TRANSPORTATIONNTL-MARINE/WATERWAYS TRANSPORTATION-Marine Planning and PolicyNTL-MARINE/WATERWAYS TRANSPORTATION-Marine SafetyNTL-MARINE/WATERWAYS TRANSPORTATION-PortsNTL-MARINE/WATERWAYS TRANSPORTATION-Ships and VesselsVolpe National Transportation Systems Center, Technical Reference CenterIn the Port and Tanker Safety Act of 1978 the U.S. Conress directed the Department of Transportation to performa a study on the desirability and feasibility of a shore-station system for monitoring vessels (including fishing vessels)offshore within the 200-nm U.S. Fishery Conservation Zone (FCZ). This is the final report which documents the study; it will be delivered to Congress in October 1980. The analysis of Coast Guard requirements for offshore vessel monitoring service indicated that major benefits to the government would accrue in: Port and Environmental Safety, Enforement of Laws and Treaties, and search and Rescue. Most other missions would receive secondary benefits. A limited survey of vessel owners and masters indicated that 80 percent of the large commercial vessels would cooperatively report to a CG monitoring system, while 22 percent of the recreational vessels would participate. Major benefits of a monitoring system to the marine user are: operating cost savings and improved safety at sea. A system concept called the Offshore Traffic iInformation System (OTIS) was developed. This system utilizes computer coorelation techniques to derive vessel tracking information from available vessels movement data augmented with vessel reports and remote sensor data. The goal of OTis is to collect, process, and provide to both the decision-maker and field personnel all available data bearing on a situation or event. A reliable ship-to-shore communications system is an essential element of the system. Alternative OTIS system implementation considerations. A phased implementation of OTIS is recommended, based on these evaluations, with initial effort directed to integrating all current CG programs related to OTIS