1)WHAT ARE THE LIMITATION OF AIS SYSTEM AND WHICH SHOULD BE
BORN IN MIND BY NAVIGATION OFFICER?
Limitations of AIS System:
AIS accuracy depends on the accuracy of the transmitted data.
Positions may not always be referenced to WGS 84 datum.
Overreliance on AIS is risky unless data accuracy and sensor integrity are ensured.
Users are responsible for the correctness of data entered or transmitted.
Some AIS data comes from sensors without full integrity checks.
Not all vessels, especially small crafts and fishing boats, carry AIS.
AIS does not detect non-ship objects like floating debris.
Ships may switch off AIS under certain conditions.
Information quality from other ships may vary.
What Navigation Officers Should Keep in Mind:
Always verify AIS data using radar, visual lookout, and other tools.
Remember some vessels may not appear on AIS.
Be cautious about incorrect or manipulated AIS data.
Use AIS as a supplementary tool, not the only source for navigation.
Understand AIS range limitations.
Maintain proper lookout and use all means for safe navigation.
2)DESCRIBE SYSTEM CONFIGURATION OF GPS SYSTEM?
a) space segment:
consists of 24 operational satellites in 6 orbital planes (four satellite in each plane),
at a height of about 20200 km above the surface and separated from one another by 60
degrees of longitudinal and with a 12hours period. All SVs transmit a navigation message
comprising orbital data, clock timing, characteristics, system time and a status message
b) Control segment:
Consist of five monitor stations, three ground antenna and a master control station (MCS) in the
USA. The monitor stations track all satellites in view, accumulating ranging data. this information
is processed at the MCS to determine satellite orbits and to update each satellites navigation
message.
C) user segment:
Consists of antennas and receiver-processors that provide positioning, velocity and precise
timing to the user. the antenna must be capable of receiving the signal from any of the satellites
which are more than 5 degrees above the horizon. The marine user should be able to receive L1
From at least 3 satellites and to generate the C/A code for each one.
3)WHAT ARE ADVANTAGES & LIMITATIONS OF GPS?
• Advantages
-the system is self-calibrating (just turn on and use)
-can be used any where
-the technology is relatively small
-there is currently no charge to use signal.
Limitations:
Signal Blockage and Multipath
Dependence on Satellites
Atmospheric Interference
Limited Coverage Underwater or Underground
Susceptibility to Jamming and Spoofing
Receiver Quality Variability
4)BRIEFLY DESCRIBE VDR & SVDR AND ALSO EXPLAIN AUDIO
EVIDENCE REQUIREMENT?
VDR:
A VDR or voyage data recorder is an instrument installed on a ship to continuously record
critical Information related to the operation of a vessel.
It consists of a recording system for a period of at least last 48 hours which is continuously
overwritten by the latest data. This recording is recovered and made use of for various purposes,
especially for investigation in the events of accidents.
SVDR:
An S-VDR (Simplified VDR) is the same as a VDR. There is no principle difference between a
VDR and an S-VDR except the amount of information required to be recorded by S-VDR is less.
AUDIO EVIDENCE REQ:
1.Bridge audio recording is mandatory in VDR/SVDR to capture all
sounds on the bridge, including conversations, alarms, and
communications.
2.Audio recordings help clarify crew actions and decisions during
incidents.
3.The audio data must be clear, continuous, and securely stored for a
minimum required period (often 12-48 hours or more, depending on
regulations).
4.Must be accessible and retrievable for investigation purposes after an
accident.
5.Privacy considerations apply, but safety and investigation needs
override in case of incidents.
5)WITH RESPECT TO A.I.S (AUTOMATIC IDRNTIFICATION SYSTEM)
STATE THE POTENTIAL BENEFIT OF IT FOR OFFICER OF WHATCH & FOR
V.T.S (VESSEL TRAFFIC SERVICE) CENTER WATCH STANDER?
For Officer of the Watch (OOW):
Improved Situational Awareness
Collision Avoidance
Enhanced Navigation Safety
Better Decision Making
Efficient Watchkeeping
For VTS (Vessel Traffic Service) Center Watchstander:
Comprehensive Traffic Monitoring
Improved Traffic Management
Incident Response
Data for Coordination
Enhanced Safety and Security
6) EXPLAINE TYPE OF INFORMATION TRANSMIT BY AIS?
1.Static information: (Every 6 min and on request)
MMSI
IMO number (where available)
Call sign & name
Length and beam
Type of ship and
Location of the position-fixing antenna
2.Dynamic information: (Dependent on speed and course alteration)
Ship’s position with accuracy indication and integrity status
Position time stamp (in UTC)
Course over ground (COG)
Speed over ground (SOG)
Heading
Navigational status (e.g. at anchor, underway, aground etc. And
Rate of turn (where available).
3.Voyage related information (Every 6 min, when is data amended, or on request)
Ship’s draught
Hazardous cargo (type)
Destination and ETA and
Route plan (waypoints)
4.Short safety-related messages: Free format text message (sent as needed)
addressed to one or more
specified destinations or to all stations in the area. The content should be
relevant to safety messages e.g. buoy missing, ice-berg sighted etc.
7.What is the purpose of AIS?
1.safety of life at sea
2.the safety and efficiency of navigation, and the protection of the marine environment.
3.Therefore, the purpose of AIS is to help identify ships, assist in target tracking, assist in search
and rescue operation, simplify information exchange (e.g. reduce verbal mandatory ship
reporting) and provide additional information to assist situation awareness. In general, data
received via AIS will improve the quality of the information available to the OOW, whether at a
shore surveillance station or on board a ship.
8.What is the purpose of LRIT system?
LRIT is an IMO-designated satellite system that provides near-global, real-time
vessel position data. It helps governments monitor ship identity and location for
security, search and rescue (SAR), and environmental protection.
9.What is solas requirment of LRIT system?
-Ships in international voyages
- Passenger ships
- Cargo ships over 300 t
- Mobile platforms
-Ships fitted with AIS and sailing in sea A1 areas do not need to transmit LRIT
data.
I) Receiver Clock Error
The receiver uses signals from at least four satellites to calculate its own clock error
along with the position and corrects it.
II) Satellite Clock Error
Ground control stations monitor and measure satellite clock errors and send correction
data via satellites to the receivers, which then compensate for these errors.
10.List the minimum information which is to be fed and
saved in a SVDR system:
11.with the aid of diagram describe fully the DGPS system
including its range and accuracy:
DGPS uses fixed ground reference stations at known locations to track GPS
satellites and calculate correction data. These corrections are broadcast on MF
frequencies to nearby DGPS receivers, improving their positioning accuracy.
