Automated Position Reporting and Communications for Vessel Traffic Service Systems

George E. Mason, James F. Culbertson, and Robert G. Moore

Abstract:	Present day VTS systems are heavily dependent upon voice radio commuuications for vessel traflic management. Arguably, that dependence is both the weakest link in current system performance and the greatest barrier to future improvements in position reporting and display. Technological advances enabling automated position reporting and tracking of vessels and selective communications with vessels are being made in both commercial and military sectors. Applying these advances to Vessel TraEc Service systems, a purely commercial use of technology, represents an ideal opportunity for the conversion of military technology. Implementation of systems that automatically identify vessels detected by radar and which reduce dependence on voice radio will result in safer and more effectively managed waterways. The very number of communication and vessel traRic display techniques available exacerbates the problem of selecting the optimum mix of technologies that will be acceptable to the international maritime community. It is quite clear that in the absence of international acceptance and standardization, the selected mix of technologies will never be fully adopted and potential markets will therefore be fragmented. The need for an international standard has been recognized and the International Association of Lighthouse Authorities (IALA) has made a major step forward by proposing for International Maritime Organization (IMO) adoption “Requirements for a Ship Identification, Polling, Tracking, and Automatic Reporting System to Operate in Conjunction with a VTS.“[l] Several military and commercial automated position reporting systems have evolved which provide the accuracy necessary for tra.tXc management without the need for nearly continuous voice communications. The ultimate system to meet the positioning and communication requirements of a VTS will be an internationally acceptable mix of proven and mature automated position determining, position reporting and digital selective calling systems. Only an understanding of the impact of these technical advances on both the mariner and the Vessel TrafIic Center watchstander will result in the proper mix of systems to benefit both. This paper discusses VTS-vessel problems, briefly examines some of the existing candidate systems and makes recommendations regarding future directions for technology conversion and research and development to improve, standardize and gain international acceptance of these critical civil maritime traEic management systems.
Published in:	Proceedings of the 50th Annual Meeting of The Institute of Navigation (1994) June 6 - 8, 1994 Antlers Doubletree Hotel Colorado Springs, CO
Pages:	269 - 275
Cite this article:	Mason, George E., Culbertson, James F., Moore, Robert G., "Automated Position Reporting and Communications for Vessel Traffic Service Systems," Proceedings of the 50th Annual Meeting of The Institute of Navigation (1994), Colorado Springs, CO, June 1994, pp. 269-275.
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