Appendix E
Arrival-to-Departure Information Exchange
Working Outline of Efficient Vessel Waterways Navigation Using Advanced Technology in Systems for U.S. Ports
1. Introduction
The following summary of the information exchange between ship and shore upon the arrival in or departure from a U.S. port indicates the scope of information required and the means by which data are currently obtained by ships in transoceanic transit.
2. Pre-arrival Harbor Transit Preparations
Situation: Ship at sea, open ocean, 24 hours prior to arrival at a major U.S. port. Systems used and information exchanged are shown below.
Ocean Navigation Information and Supporting Systems
- Inmarsat A, B, C, or M (communications system) MF/HF/VHF (NBDP—radio telex)
- GMDSS (global maritime distress and safety system)
- GPS (global positioning system)
- LORAN C (long range radio navigation system)
- ECDIS (electronic chart display and information system)
Information Exchanged
- automated notice to mariners
- automated local notice to mariners
- automated chart corrections in electronic chart and ECDIS support
- local port weather and visibility conditions and predictions
- available port real-time hydrographic information/history
- available port real-time water height, current, and density information/history
- transmit vessel ETA for pilots, U.S. Coast Guard, vessel traffic services, U.S. Customs Service, and others
- transmit crew lists for immigration pre-arrival clearance
- transmit vessel entry documents and certificates for pre-arrival Customs clearance
- transmit entry documents for agriculture pre-arrival clearance
3. Vessel Arrival and Harbor Transit to Berth
Situation: Ship in harbor approaches and harbor, transiting to its assigned berth. Systems used and information exchanged are shown below.
Harbor Navigation Information and Supporting Systems
|
• U.S. Coast Guard aids to navigation |
(buoys, fixed aids, racons and ranges) |
|
• Inmarsat A, B, C or M |
(communications system) |
|
• GMDSS |
(communications system—VHF-DSC, etc.) |
|
• VHF Radio Network |
(communications system—VHF-DSC, etc.) |
|
• cellular telephone network |
(communications system—VHF-DSC, etc.) |
|
• transponder system network |
(communications/navigation system) |
|
• vessel traffic services |
(information and management system) |
|
• GPS/DGPS |
(differential global positioning system—navigation) |
|
• ECDIS |
(electronic chart display and information system) |
|
• PORTS |
(physical oceanographic real-time systems) |
Information Exchanged
- arrival at pilot station
- real-time vessel position (aids to navigation and electronic charts)
- real-time channel water depth and density information (PORTS)
- real-time channel current information (PORTS)
- real-time port weather and visibility information (PORTS, NAVTEX, VTS, and VHF)
- real-time navigational information/vessels in system (ECDIS, VTS, and transponder)
- real-time VTS system waterways management (VTS)
- vessel emergency information (via transponder/hazardous commodities list, etc.)
- route prediction and time of arrival at berth (ECDIS, VTS, and transponder)
4. Vessel at Berth
Situation: Ship at berth, preparing for departure. Systems used and information exchanged are shown below.
Operations Navigation Information and Supporting Systems
|
• GMDSS |
(communications system) |
|
• VHF radio network |
(communications system) |
|
• cellular telephone network |
(communications system) |
|
• transponder system network |
(communications/navigation system) |
|
• PORTS |
(physical oceanographic real-time system) |
|
• vessel traffic services |
(navigation information and management system) |
Information Exchanged
- navigational warnings (Navtex, VHF radio, and VTS)
- weather warnings and predictions (Navtex, VHF radio, and VTS)
- real-time water height and density with 24 hour predictions (PORTS)
- real-time current conditions with 24-hour predictions (PORTS)
- real-time weather conditions with 24-hour predictions (PORTS)
- waterways traffic status (VTS)
- real-time emergency response status (transponder messages/real-time cargo ops)
5. Vessel Departure and Port Transit to Sea
Situation: Ship in harbor and harbor approaches, transiting from assigned berth to departure to sea. Systems used and information exchanged are shown below.
Harbor Navigation Information and Supporting Systems
|
• U.S. Coast Guard aids to navigation |
(navigation system) |
|
• Inmarsat A, B, C or M |
(communications system) |
|
• GMDSS |
(communications system -VHF-DSC, etc.) |
|
• VHF Radio network |
(communications system) |
|
• cellphone network |
(communications system) |
|
• transponder system network |
(communications/navigation system) |
|
• vessel traffic services |
(navigation information and management system) |
|
• GPS/GPS |
(differential global positioning system, navigation) |
|
• ECDIS |
(electronic chart display and information system) |
|
• PORTS |
(physical oceanographic real-time systems) |
Information Exchanged
- real-time vessel position (aids to navigation and electronic charts)
- real-time channel water depth and density information (PORTS)
- real-time channel current information (PORTS)
- real-time port weather and visibility information (PORTS, NAVTEX, VTS, and VHF)
- real-time navigational information/vessels in system (ECDIS, VTS, and transponder)
- real-time VTS waterways management (VTS)
- vessel emergency information (via transponder/hazardous commodities list, etc.)
- route prediction and time of departure at pilot station (ECDIS, VTS, and transponder)
