The Role of a Dependent Automatic Tracking System in a New Age of Harbor Navigation

Russell A. Doughty Jr.

Abstract:	The grounding of the Exxon Valdez and three other oil tankers this past year has focused attention on preventing similar marine accidents from harming the environment. As a result of this attention, the Coast Guard is now performing a port needs study to determine which ports might best benefit from a Vessel Traffic Service (VTS) and what services a VTS should offer in each of those ports. A Dependent Automatic Tracking System (DATS) is now possible due to advances in precise radionavigation systems, electronic charting, low-cost data communications systems, and computer technology . A system that depends on requiring vessels to carry a “black box” that retransmits a precise electronically derived position to a VTS for display on an electronic chart could provide many benefits at low cost. Discussed here are some of the techniques that could be employed to integrate such a system into a VTS. The author provides a projection of how this integration, together with similar developments for shipboard integrated navigation and vessel management systems, could lead to a new age in harbor navigation over the next decade. The views expressed are those of the author and are not to be construed as Coast Guard policy or intentions. A few applications for DATS are presented that the author believes are technically possible, but policy aspects of the issues involved are not addressed.
Published in:	Proceedings of the 46th Annual Meeting of The Institute of Navigation (1990) June 26 - 28, 1990 Atlantic City, NJ
Pages:	76 - 80
Cite this article:	Doughty, Russell A., Jr., "The Role of a Dependent Automatic Tracking System in a New Age of Harbor Navigation," Proceedings of the 46th Annual Meeting of The Institute of Navigation (1990), Atlantic City, NJ, June 1990, pp. 76-80.
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