The ship safety zones in vessel traffic monitoring and management systems

This paper presents the problem of the “know-how” needed by the operators of vessel traffic supervision, monitoring, advisory and safety zone management systems required and maintained by marine navigators on their ships. The problem of the proper and correct interpretation of these systems is raised. Different types of ship safety zones, concerning both anti-collision and navigational purposes are presented, introducing the concept of hydrographic ship domain. Anti-collision and hydrographic domains were compared in order to establish mutual dependence. The factors influencing the two types of ship domains were analysed. The author proposed their merging and replacement with one universal domain, discussing its advantages and disadvantages. The analysis of the factors influencing the shape and size of such ship safety zones in conducted. The results in the different phases of research were presented and conclusions were drawn