NaviManager

Navi-Manager is intended for the monitoring and control of mobile objects (MO). This is an integrated organisational and technical solution for managers of agencies involved in operating MO’s, ensuring their safety and monitoring their motion. Navi-Manager is a software package which enables the creation of systems that meet the needs of a broad range of users: from shipowners to national monitoring centres. For this purpose, the system components are combined in the optional modules according to the nature of tasks to be accomplished. The user, therefore, can select the necessary combination of options to suit his/her needs. The base system set includes the minimum required amount of monitoring facilities and some service functions, but can be enhanced by adding some more options as required. The system can operate in the stand-alone and networked modes. It should be noted that stations installed in different company divisions, and even on the remote site, can operate within single information environments.

Key features:

MO identification; MO tracking; reception, distribution and transmission of information to the monitored objects; recording of events and various associated information on the monitored objects; plotting of additional graphic objects with coordinates; display of reference information on the monitored and user objects; formation of internal monitoring databases; support of information exchange and data processing; recording of service information and events, which occurred; polling of MO’s (fitted out with Inmarsat C/GPS terminals); creation of guard zones; recording of facts of breaching the boundary or prohibited areas; generation of appropriate alarm signals depending on the nature of events, which occurred, or the received messages; route planning in case of MO control from the coastal observation post; other service functions.

Application:

Monitoring and control of fishing and commercial ships Maintenance of communication processes at the coastal GMDSS sites State monitoring of fishing vessels Monitoring of river and shore mobile objects Support of emergency response operations Protection of exclusive economic zones Information and analytical support of ISMC code Fleet monitoring on the part of sea and fishing port authorities Information support of Rescue Coordinating Centres Monitoring and control of mobile objects within the VTS

Users

Functional capabilities of Navi-manager components allow the accomplishment of production and applied tasks for the needs of fishery, crisis management agencies, environmental protection, ensuring transport safety, etc.

Sources of information

Messages supplied via the marine and shore communication networks or data entered manually by the operator can serve as the system’s source of information. Navi-Manager ensures reception and analysis of formalised messages using a broad range of the most common formats (DSC, Inmarsat, Internet, ship daily reports, etc.). Besides, an additional message parser can be developed to suit the requirements of a particular user.

Navi-Manager interface

It can be easily adapted by the operator to suit the set task and saved for the further use. It allows windows to be distributed among several screens. Chart formats The system supports different chart formats (S-57, TX-97, DCW, etc.)

Route

The route is easily created on the basis of a previously prepared template direct on the chart, and is at the same time presented in tabular form. The MO motion schedule is calculated from the set conditions. In the intervals between the reception of information, there is a forecast of the MOs position taking into account the motion schedule or the route (the speed is calculated automatically with regard to the route features, ship type and its condition according to a special algorithm, or is entered manually, which allows a more correct on-chart display of the object motion. As WP’s are assigned as "reference points", the use of routes on rivers is simplified, as it becomes possible to use relative coordinates (RP name – distance). There is a capability to display routes created in Transas ECS, including that using a special "Search and Rescue" module (in accordance with IMO recommendations for SAR operations).

Information on Chart Objects

Reference information on any chart object can be obtained from the available database by using a special tool. Weather A special weather module allows on-chart display of the weather forecast 5 days in advance for any area in the world, and viewing of the weather change in the dynamic mode.

Creation of user charts

The built-in editor can be used for plotting various additional objects the operator may need for the efficient work (areas, marks, lines, soundings, etc.). Once prepared, the additional information charts (e.g., Charts of RCC Responsibility Zones, GMDSS Charts, Fishing Area Charts) can further be used for generation of different alarms.

Adding messages to the database

Mobile object positions and their characteristics can be added to the database in both manual and automatic mode. MO positions can be reproduced as required for any time interval, and the situation can be analysed by using the built-in "Record Player" in the dynamic mode with practically any discretion.

Identification of violations

The system allows alarm generation in different motion modes (entry in the zone, crossing of the set lines, approach to the specified objects, etc.) All the alarms are documented with a further playback capability. It is possible to automatically create messages on dangers with regard to many criteria; these messages can then be sent to different addresses as per the previously created template.

Filters

A filtering system allows the operator to promptly form the necessary list of objects according to many different criteria. MO reference characteristics Entered in the database is information on various MO characteristics, which can be obtained by the operator as required for any object.

User access differentiation

The system provides for user access differentiation, which rules out fulfilment of operations by people having no authority to do so. In addition, this reduces the probability of errors caused by the actions of under qualified operators.

Prospects of developing monitoring systems

Being aware of how urgent the problem of monitoring currently is, Transas continues to work on the improvement of its systems. According to customer recommendation, the company is developing a newgeneration of monitoring systems: SIGMA – the System of Integrated Global Monitoring and Analysis. The system features a number of improved functions and new capabilities: automatic recording and analysis of not only the positioning information, but also of various kinds of economic data (fuel, cargo, daily catch, use of quota, etc.); open multi-purpose parser interface which allows the user to independently prepare the converter in case of change to the received message format; new ADD INFO chart editor, new chart handling tools; data exchange not only with similar systems, but also with other databases used by the customer; improved alarm module, which includes event alerts along with geographic alarms (time, route, query alerts); unplanned request system, which allows reception of a broad range of different reports. The user is provided with the capability to independently form an individual set of database fields; extended list of the provided report documentation; more flexible functions of correct user administration. The system can operate with both ships and mobile objects, with an individual set of characteristics used for each type. The system architecture allows work with other external programs and utilities, such as the Crisis Management System, which is a major problem for the Crisis Management Centres and Rescue Coordinating Centres in the course of emergency response operations. The company expects to develop a shipboard module to automate the process of formation and transmission of information from the MO.