Global Maritime Distress Research Articles

Analysis of Bi-LSTM CRF Series Models for Semantic Classification of NAVTEX Navigational Safety Messages

NAVTEX is a key component in the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) that automatically transmits urgent maritime safety information such as navigational and meteorological warnings and forecasts to vessels. For the safe navigation of smart ships, this information from different systems should be shared harmoniously in the Common Maritime Data Structure (CMDS). To share NAVTEX messages as CMDS, words in NAVTEX messages must be semantically classified and placed within the CMDS structure. While traditional parsing methods are typically used to understand message semantics, NAVTEX requires natural language processing methods with deep learning due to its unstructured messages. This paper applies six types of Bi-LSTM CRF-based deep learning models to NAVTEX navigational safety messages and analyzes the results to find the most suitable model for understanding the semantics of each word in NAVTEX messages. This technique can be applied to accurately convey the meaning of NAVTEX navigational safety messages to equipment that requires navigational safety information on smart ships without human intervention.

Increasing the probability of transfer GMDSS broadcast messages when transmitted over HF channel in case fading

Improving the quality of communication in the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System of navigation is one of the components of the development of the Arctic zone of the Russian Federation in terms of information support. At the same time, the most difficult is to ensure communication in the A3 and A4 areas, where a communication HF channel plays a not small role. The transfer of messages over HF channel in the broadcasting mode of SITOR-B is considered. To improve probabilistic characteristics in the work, a statistical analysis of the decisions of the demodulator is carried out. It is shown that the probability density functions are “noisy”, which is associated with the non-zero probability of a bit error. Models of Rayleigh, Rice and Nakagami distributions were used for statistical analysis. It is shown that in the case of low values of the signal-to-noise ratio, which is characteristic of high latitude tracks, a Nakagami model is preferable. The symbol error rate and message error rate in a fading communication channel, as well as the probability of receiving an erroneous message are shown. The results presented in this work can significantly improve the probabilistic characteristics of the HF radiolines when transmitting messages in SITOR-B mode.

Analyzing Port State Control Data to Explore Future Improvements to GMDSS Training

This article uses data generated by Port State Control (PSC) inspections of ships in national ports (Paris MoU) to assess their compliance with radio-communications safety regulations. By mainly applying binary logistic regression methods, the aim is to examine and understand the relationship between the severity of deficiencies in maritime communications and some characteristics of inspected ships. The raw data from the PSC detention database from 2005 to 2022 undergoes post-processing before being analyzed to explore patterns and coincidences with the rest of the potential risk areas. To do so, 23,725 PSC inspections were used. Several classification criteria have been proposed that can better gauge the risk related to distress communications at sea from the dataset. The results connect the probability of detention with the ship age at the inspection date, the flag of the registry, the type of ship, and the location of the port within the countries adhering to the Paris MoU. Another achievement is that the number of PSC inspections of maritime communications in a given period is a better indicator of the risk to safety than the total number of deficiencies detected in these inspections during the same period. This study also explores inspection deficiencies related to competency gaps identified in the Global Maritime Distress Safety System (GMDSS) operators, and precisely using the number of PSC inspections as a criterion of risk for safety is consistent with the recommendations of the Maritime Safety Committee Circular (2006), MSC.1/Circ.1208. Another finding from the time series is that a greater rate of decrease is identified for GMDSS equipment-related deficiencies compared to GMDSS training-related deficiencies. This alone poses a review of the refreshing courses and methods to maintain the General Operator Certificate (GOC) qualification to operate maritime radio communications facilities belonging to the (current and future) GMDSS.

On-board radio communication and its development in a historical perspective

This article presents an explanation of the incorporation of on-board radio communication as a consequence of the growing concerns for maritime safety. It focuses on the economic, political and social characteristics that influenced its incorporation and evolution, and a legislative change in safety. The article demonstrates how the evolution of radio communication has been very important as the only emerging means to request and provide assistance on the high seas. In addition, the study provides evidence of the technological leap that has improved radio communication, with a new system with a high degree of reliability: the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System.

Профессиональные компетенции морских радиоспециалистов в области глобальной морской службы спасения при бедствиях

The article discusses the peculiarities of the professional competencies of Marine Radio specialists in the field of the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS), which is distinguished by a high degree of automation of the transmission and reception of information for search and rescue operations with minimal time. This applies to operators and senior operators of the GMDSB facility, operators of a limited area of the GMDSS, operator of the GMDSS, first and second class radio electronics of the GMDSS, the main professional characteristics of which are summarized in the professional standard “Operator of the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (ship, coastal).” The listed specialists carry out radio communication and information exchange between coastal and ship stations in the GMDSS in order to ensure uninterrupted communication in the event of a disaster, safety and urgency between ships and coastal services for the safety of navigation and the protection of human life at sea. It is emphasized that they must have higher or secondary vocational education. For each position, generalized labor functions are systematized, which are destructured into labor functions, labor actions, necessary knowledge and skills. It was concluded that the professional competencies of the marine radio specialists of the GMSSB are widely in demand, both on ships and on the shore, which is especially important given the development of the Arctic and the Northern Sea Route, as the main water route of the hard-to-reach northern regions. At the same time, the necessary level of professional training of specialists providing the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System in a disaster for the safety of navigation is decisive.

Vessel Safety Monitoring System (VSMS) Based on LoRA for the Safety of Indonesian Traditional Fishers

Based on data obtained from Indonesian fisheries statistics, over ten years, it is known that 90% of the fishing fleet in Indonesia is dominated by fishing vessels under 30 GT. Generally, these vessels are not equipped with the calculations of the shipping architect or planning drawings. the large percentage of shipping disasters or vessel accidents in Indonesia, including fishing vessel accidents, is caused by several factors: 43.67% due to human error, 32.37% due to nature, 23.94% due to technical factors. Accidents due to bad weather cannot be avoided during fishing operations. However, with the quality of human resources and technical factors that have improved, it is hoped that vessel accidents can be avoided or minimized. According to the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS), vessels with the IMO standard are already based on satellite communications. Vessels required to use the GMDSS standard are vessels with a size of 300 GT and above. We develop a Vessel Safety Monitoring System (VSMS) which has a lower cost, which can be used to determine the vessel’s position and is added by using a distress button system such as the satellite-based GMDSS system. the communication from the coast guard post to the vessel uses the LoRA module based on radio frequency, although without pressing the distress button on the vessel, the device on the vessel will continue to send location, vessel's speed, and rpm to the coast guard station. If the distress button is pressed, the location will still be sent, the buzzer at the coast guard post will turn on, and the vessel's location can be seen on the local web server so that the coast guard post officers can immediately find out the coordinates of the vessel. It can minimize the time to search for the vessel's location because the vessel's coordinates are known. Based on the results of the Vessel Safety Monitoring System (VSMS) test, 10 data transmission from the vessel to the coast guard post can work on the land and the sea it can send nine types of data with 0 - 50 meters distance, it can send 1 type of data with a 0 - 100 meters distance, with an average delivery delay of 5 seconds. The amount of data and the delivery delay affects the working distance of the tool. The distress function or the danger signal requires data transmission for 0-15 seconds manually or automatically until the alarm goes off at the coast guard post since the vessel's danger signal is activated from the vessel to the coast guard post

Viability and Performance Analysis, at a Physical Level, of a Maritime Communication Network on Medium Frequency

This paper analysed the potentialities that have not yet been exploited of the Automatic Vessel Identification System on Medium Frequency (AVISOMEF) that was previously presented to the scientific community. This system expanded the spectrum of possibilities of the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS). By the time AVISOMEF was presented, one of the unexpected benefits was that it could constitute a platform capable of supporting a Maritime Communication Network on Medium Frequency; all remotely located vessels could communicate with each other by using AVISOMEF, making use of the new established network, within the geographic area of implementation, without needing to use satellite techniques. Medium frequency propagation is stable and is not subject to coverage restrictions. To conduct this experiment, we collaborated with the Spanish Maritime Safety Agency (SASEMAR). It was thanks to them that we gathered real-time information about the nationwide maritime traffic that navigated through the Spanish Search and Rescue jurisdiction waters from 2018 to 2020.

GMDSS Equipment Usage: Seafarers’ Experience

Maritime non-commercial communications are performed using the equipment of Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS), under the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS). This equipment includes numerous devices of different technologies, features and user interfaces, which every officer of the watch (OOW) must know how to use. Besides, the equipment, i.e., its technology has not changed significantly in the last 30 years. Therefore, the purpose of this research was to collect and analyze information on how often GMDSS devices are used and whether any modernization is needed. The main research method was a questionnaire survey intended for experienced officers. Each question, as well as the answers of the respondents, were analyzed in detail and presented graphically. The results of the survey analysis indicate that the VHF (Very High Frequency) radiotelephone, Navigational Telex (NAVTEX) receiver, and Enhanced Group Call (EGC) receiver are still very used, while Digital Selective Calling (DSC) devices and MF/HF (Medium Frequency/High Frequency) radios (telephone and telex) are almost unused onboard. Additionally, more than 80% of respondents believe that GMDSS needs modernization.

The design of the C mobile earth station simulator based on C language

The communication equipment software of the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System is based on DOS platform, and the equipment operation simulator used for training and assessment is generally developed by VC, VB and FLASH technology. There are a lot of difference between the simulator and the real machine on the interface and the operating response. The operation of the simulator is done with mouse, while the operation of the real machine must be done with the keyboard only on board ships. The Inmarsat-C mobile earth station simulator has being developed by C language. The simulator terminal operating interface and response is identical with the real machine operation because the developing language of the simulator is the same as the real machine. Because the adoption of the doubly-linked list data structure, program structure is clear and code is simplified.

Introduction to global short message communication service of BeiDou-3 navigation satellite system

Short Message Communication (SMC) is a featured service of BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS). After its successful deployment in 2003, Regional Short Message Communication (RSMC) service has been continuously serving China and its neighboring countries and regions, especially in life safety scenarios. In this paper, the architecture of the Global Short Message Communication (GSMC) system is proposed based on the medium earth orbit (MEO) constellation and the crosslinks of the global BeiDou navigation system (BDS-3). Three subtypes of GSMC service, i.e. positioning report, emergency search and rescue (SAR) and regular SMC are designed in accordance with the technical characteristic of integration of navigation and communication in BDS-3, which supports future wide applications of GSMC. The performance of the designed GSMC system is analyzed by numerical calculations. As BDS-3 was officially announced completion on July 31, 2020, GSMC has been providing initial service. First test results of the in orbit GSMC payloads are also presented in the paper to verify the designed capabilities. Preliminary results also show that the requirements of Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) can also be fulfilled.

Implementation of 5G Communication Network for a Safe Operation of Autonomous and Conventional Ships

The enhanced automation of the shipping industry has increased the demand of real data exchange. The ship-owners are looking more and more to optimize the operational cost of ship, to monitor remotely the cargo and to ensure a satisfactory level of safety and security, in compliance with the international maritime organization requirements. As per international convention for the safety of life at sea requirements, a conventional ship must carry a global maritime distress safety system, depending on the sea areas where it is operating. We assume that assuring a reliable communication service in the shipping industry is a challenging issue, in an era of internet of things and the need for a ship to be continuously connected to its ecosystem. This connectivity should be with a high data rate transmission. However, the future implementation of autonomous ship beside the existing conventional ship as an alternative for a sustainable maritime industry, requires the implementation of a reliable and cost-effective communication carrier, capable to transfer operational data on live basis from ship-to-ship and from ship-to-shore without interruption with a very low latency. To achieve this goal, we propose in this work, the implementation of 5G network as a maritime communication carrier, using unmanned aerial vehicle base stations, which are placed at optimum positions. This placement results in a maximization of uplink and downlink communication data rate, low latency and efficient optimization of transmission power. These make of 5G a potential maritime communication service carrier, capable to support the safe operation of deep-sea conventional vessels and the future deployment of autonomous ships.

Shipping 4.0: Security Requirements for the Cyber-Enabled Ship

The cyber-enabled ship (C-ES) is either an autonomous or a remotely controlled vessel which relies on interconnected cyber physical-systems for its operations. Such systems are not well protected against cyberattacks. Considering the criticality of the functions that such systems provide, it is important to address their security challenges, thereby ensuring the ship's safe voyage. In this article, we leverage the maritime architectural framework reference architecture to analyze and describe the environment of the C-ES. We then apply the Secure Tropos methodology to systematically elicit the security requirements of the three most vulnerable cyber–physical systems (CPSs) onboard a C-ES, namely the automatic identification system (AIS), the electronic chart display information system, and the global maritime distress and safety system. The outcome is a set of cyber-security requirements for the C-ES ecosystem in general and these systems in particular.

New Aspects for Modernization Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS)

New Aspects for Modernization Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS)

Progress of Work on e-navigation and the Modernisation of GMDSS

The article presents the progress of work on the e-navigation project carried out by the International Maritime Organization (IMO). Progress of the work on the second project carried out by the IMO is also described, related to e-navigation and involving modernization of the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS). In addition to the description of these projects, their mutual relationship is also presented, as well as the timetable for implementing their stages.

Pregled nedavnih promjena u Svjetskom pomorskom sustavu pogibelji i sigurnosti vezanih uz pomorske pokretne satelitske usluge

Pregled nedavnih promjena u Svjetskom pomorskom sustavu pogibelji i sigurnosti vezanih uz pomorske pokretne satelitske usluge

A Justification of Proposals to Improve Shipping in the Bering Strait

This paper presents the geographical features of the Bering Strait, the existing hydro meteorological and navigational conditions, the state of shipping and environmental aspects. Estimates of the probability of navigation accidents and possible oil spills are given. The systems for ensuring the safety of navigation, in particular, the ship’s routing system, the ship’s reporting system, the global maritime distress and safety system, as well as possible instruments for regulating navigation in this strait are presented. Based on the analysis performed and taking into account the expected explosive growth in the volume of freight traffic, proposals were developed for improving the organization of the regulation of shipping in the Bering Strait.

Studi Kinerja Rancang Bangun Sistem Penampil Informasi Hybrid Pada Perahu Nelayan Berbasis Google Maps

Boat is a type of traditional public transportation of the Indonesian people, especially the people in Penyengat Island, Riau Islands Province. Communities on Penyengat Island have many traditional boats that do not have a Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) for shipping standards. Shipping standards are needed so that the safety factor in sailing is more awake. Sailing safety factors are needed in getting help if an accident on a fishing boat occurs. Delay in help due to ignorance of the information about the accident and the position of the ship that is difficult to detect. Based on the description, it will be appointed a performance study on the design of a hybrid information display system on fishing boats to determine the location of the accident that will be displayed in the form of Google Maps. Google Maps is a digital map service application developed by Google. The combination of Google Maps and the Global Positioning System (GPS) receiving device is a very useful combination. In addition, the hybrid system used is a combination of manual systems in the form of buttons and automatic systems in the form of tilt sensors on the boat. Research results obtained that users can find out the position of objects based on latitude and longitude coordinates displayed using Google Maps.

A Model of OFDM based Maritime VHF Communication System for Data Exchange

Abstract In the maritime Very High Frequency (VHF) band, there are no systems for transmitting large amounts of data. Therefore, it is necessary to develop new systems that would modernize the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS), significantly relieve the Automatic Identification System’s (AIS) communication channels, and set guidelines for the development of communication infrastructure of the e-Navigation. In line with this, analytical and simulation models of the maritime VHF data transmission communication system using Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) modulation are worked out in this paper. The achieved data rate, the spectral efficiency and the bit error rate (BER) represent validation parameters on which the results of the analytical and simulation models are evaluated. It is concluded that the application of the digital OFDM modulation in the maritime VHF band may improve the GMDSS system by achieving higher data rates compared to the current terrestrial mandatory systems for data exchange, i.e. Digital Selective Calling (DSC) and AIS.

Automatic Identification System modular receiver for academic purposes

AbstractThe Automatic Identification System (AIS) standard is encompassed within the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS), in force since 1999. The GMDSS is a set of procedures, equipment, and communication protocols designed with the aim of increasing the safety of sea crossings, facilitating navigation, and the rescue of vessels in danger. The use of this system not only is increasingly attractive to security issues but also potentially creates intelligence products throughout the added‐value information that this network can transmit from ships on real time (identification, position, course, speed, dimensions, flag, among others). Within the marine electronics market, commercial receivers implement this standard and allow users to access vessel‐broadcasted information if in the range of coverage. In addition to satellite services, users may request actionable information from private or public AIS terrestrial networks where real‐time feed or historical data can be accessed from its nodes. This paper describes the configuration of an AIS receiver based on a modular design. This modular design facilitates the evaluation of specific modules and also a better understanding of the standard and the possibility of changing hardware modules to improve the performance of the prototype. Thus, the aim of this paper is to describe the system's specifications, its main hardware components, and to present educational didactics on the setup and use of a modular and terrestrial AIS receiver. The latter is for academic purposes and in undergraduate studies such as electrical engineering, telecommunications, and maritime studies.

Analysis of advantages and disadvantages of existing maritime communication systems for data exchange

Maritime communication systems and devices that are required onboard ships under the SOLAS (Safety Of Life At Sea) Convention are determined by the communication functions of Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS). This system was fully implemented on the 1st February 1999, and since then maritime communications methods have not been significantly changed. As a result, numerous researches and studies were conducted, intended to improve existing communication systems. Furthermore, the exchange of data in maritime communications is of great importance for the purpose of safety of navigation and commercial services. For this reason, the advantages and disadvantages of existing maritime communication systems for data exchange are systematically analyzed in this paper, in order to determine the guidelines for their improvement or replacement by new communication systems. The focus is on the used modulation techniques, as well as the maximum achieved data rates. According to these characteristics the possibility of applying certain communication systems in communications infrastructure of the strategy called “e-Navigation” is determined. In addition, an overview of international recommendations and guidelines for the modernization of maritime communications in the VHF frequency band is elaborated in this paper.