Janusz Uriasz

ESABALT Improvement of Situational Awareness in the Baltic with the Use of Crowdsourcing

This paper presents the key assumptions and preliminary research on an integrated system called ESABALT, for enhancing maritime safety, which incorporates the latest technological advances in positioning, e-Navigation, Earth observation systems and multi-channel cooperative communications. The most novel part of the ESABALT concept, however, is a focus on user-driven crowdsourcing techniques for information gathering and integration. The system will consist of a situational awareness solution for real-time maritime traffic monitoring via utilizing various positioning technologies; an observation system of the marine environment relevant to transportation and accidents including assessing the sea ice, oil spread, waves, wind etc.; and a methodology for context-aware maritime communication with cooperative, multi-channel capabilities. The paper presents the intelligent, novel, user-driven solution and associated services developed in ESABALT for enhancing the maritime safety in the whole Baltic area.

Understanding of Navigational Information Systems

Abstract Navigational information systems became one of the main devices on ship’s bridge supporting navigators in evaluation of navigational situation and undertaking decisions. For instance ECIDS supports navigation by gathering information and automating some process like plotting of position of own ship and other objects on the scene. Any navigational information system has got advantages and limitations. Their understanding should help navigators to perform watches in a safer way. This article presents a discussion on some deficiencies of navigational information systems. Discussion is underlined by three accidents, which show when misunderstanding or overreliance may lead to catastrophic consequences

Baltic Ferry Transport

This article deals with the ferry transport in the Baltic Sea. Particular attention has been paid to shipping lines and ferries plying on them. Available ferries, their parameters, changes of basic parameters in time and functions of newbuildings are discussed. Characteristics of all the Baltic ferries and shipping lines are presented, according to data available in 2010.

The BICS — Advanced Method of the Electronic Ship Reporting for the RIS Centre

Abstract The article presents principles of transmission and processing of the data in electronic reporting of river ships used in inland navigation. The new standard of electronic reporting of ships was shown — system Barge Information and Communication System (BICS). Results and analysis of surveys of real duplex transmission of data in BICS system for purpose of RIS Centre were presented.