Vlado Frančić

Ballast water sediment elemental analysis.

Sediment samples from the ballast water tanks of ships calling at the port of Rijeka in the Northern Adriatic were analysed using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and secondary ion mass spectroscopy (SIMS) using caesium, argon and oxygen ion beams. The research was carried out in order to determine the sediment composition and relative abundance of the dominant elements. The results indicate that the sediment samples mostly consisted of compounds that originated from the deterioration of tank plates, tank coating residues and ballast operations such as clay, silt, sand and organic materials. No significant heavy metals or highly toxic elements were found. The research revealed some advantages and significant drawbacks of using XPS and SIMS for the routine analysis of sediment composition as a decision supporting tool for ballast water and sediment management.

Ships’ Solutions for meeting the International requirements regarding the reduction of Air Pollution

Large quantities of harmful substances, gases and particles are released from the ships into the air. This leads to many unwanted chemical processes having a harmful effect on the entire planet and on the human health as well. In most cases, these processes result in ozone depletion, acid rain, global warming, appearance of dermatological and respiratory diseases and other undesirable impacts on the entire ecosystem. Aiming to reduce the adverse impact on the environment, the international maritime community has decided to regulate and set rigorous requirements for ships by introducing and implementing the Annex 6 of the MARPOL Convention. On the bases of these requirements, ships and their owners will be subjected to more stringent conditions that are primarily related to adjustment of existing ships’ engines and/or the use of environmentally friendly fuels. This paper analyses air pollution deriving from ships in general and its negative effects on the atmosphere. It also presents possible methods and solutions of adapting ships to new and more stringent requirements as well as the advantages and disadvantages of relevant technical solutions.

Model of the Adaptive Information System on a Navigational Bridge

Adaptive Information Systems (AdIS) are systems responsive to environmental changes or changes in a ship’s systems. In this paper the potential of shipboard AdIS to decrease an officer’s excessive workload are examined. The workload of the Officer Of the Watch (OOW) consists of tasks being initiated by the OOW and by external inputs. Sometimes the external inputs, particularly those requiring low priority actions, actually distract the OOW and increase the workload. Consequently an overload may be reduced by delaying low priority information, thus delaying the actions they could initiate. To estimate the applicability of AdIS, a model has been developed using a discrete event simulation software, consisting of three main modules: environment, AdIS and the OOW. The simulation has been run with a traffic environment comparable to those existing in the Dover Strait. A comparison between the OOW workload with and without AdIS has been estimated, indicating that during demanding navigation AdIS can significantly reduce the overload time. In areas similar to the Dover Strait the overload time can be reduced by a third.

A proposal for structuring monitoring and control systems of navigation in the traffic lane next to the port of Split

The paper introduces a feasible frame for the reorganizationand control of sea navigation (VIS system) in the accesswatenvay to the port of Split. In the paper a proposal for the introductionof a routing system on the traffic lane next to the portof Split is presented. A high-grade monitoring of seagoing navigationmeans increased safety and a higher protection of themarine environment. In this sense the validity of structuring avrs system in the controlled area results from the ever-increasingnumber of transiting vessels, some of which carrying dangerouscargoes with the majority being leisure craft and passengerships. The need for installing the system arises as well fromthe unfavorable hydrographic conditions which affect navigationand reduce the level of safety in the traffic lane next to theport of Split. The described proposal of the VIS system foreseesthe opening of new navigable routes with radar and AISequipments to be included for vessel monitoring. Their locationand mode of operation are worked out in detail in this paper.