© Ahmed El-Rabbany

Ahmed El-RabbanyGeomatics Engineering ProgramDepartment of Civil Engineering

RYERSON POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITYToronto, Ontario

INTEGRATED NAVIGATION CHART

SYSTEM

© Ahmed El-Rabbany

PROJECT OBJECTIVE

To integrate ice information into ECDIS

for safe and efficient marine navigation through

the ice, and to develop computer tools for

delivering the final product through the Internet

© Ahmed El-Rabbany

ECDIS is a computerized navigation system, consisting mainly of a computer processor and display, a standardized database and navigation sensors

ECDIS is not only capable of displaying the navigation-related information in real-time but also supporting other advanced functions, such as route planning, route monitoring and automatic alarms

In ice-infested waters, the use of ECDIS as a standalone information system would not provide sufficient information for safe navigation

WHAT IS ECDIS

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Shipborne radar may be used to detect the navigation hazards, e.g. icebergs, which could be superimposed on the ECDIS display

This, however, is of limited use in ice-infested waters as the coverage of the shipborne radar is limited to the radar horizon

Safe and efficient marine navigation require that comprehensive and timely information on the ice conditions be available over a region extending well beyond the shipborne radar horizon

SHIPBORNE RADAR

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Ice information is extracted mainly from RADARSAT imagery

The ScanSAR modes are recommended for comprehensive monitoring of the sea ice conditions

Other Remote Sensing data is used to help identifying the ice conditions

A model for reliable prediction of the ice motion is yet to be developed

ICE INFORMATION

Courtesy of Canadian Ice Service

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RADARSAT imagery may not fulfil the requirements for safe and efficient marine navigation, even if it is used side-by-side with ECDIS

Integrated Navigational Chart System (INCS) enhances the safety of marine operations and ensures that ship routes are optimally selected based on informed decisions

INTEGRATED CHART SYSTEM

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SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT

Developing remote sensing tools for reliable detection of ice information, in its various forms;

Developing a neural network-based tools for reliable prediction of ice/icebergs motion;

Developing tools for geo-referencing the ice information to be compatible with the ECDIS system;

Developing data standards for ice information;

Developing tools for integrating the ice information, along with the prediction of the ice/iceberg motion, into ECDIS;

Developing a “smart” system for automatic selection of the best navigation route, taking into consideration both the ice and the ECDIS information;

Developing the Internet tools for delivering the final product

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CCGNotice to Mariners

CISIce info

ECDIS updatesTide infoCurrents

FINAL PRODUCT DELIVERY

CHS

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Cellular Networks

Currently - Digital Personal Communication Services (PCS) Near future (2-4 yrs) – 3G wideband digital networks

• voice, high speed data and multimedia applications

• cheap (common global standards)

• devices are on all the time for data transmission, but subscribers pay for the packets of data they receive/transmit

Communication Satellites (e.g. Inmarsat, MSAT)

Radio link

COMMUNICATION LINK

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Safety benefits: the proposed integrated system ensures safe passage for ships, which protects human lives

Economic benefits: the proposed integrated system has a number of economic benefits, including:

reducing vessel personnel (e.g. remote sensing experts); increasing revenue by selecting the best navigation passage; extending shipping season beyond the present dates; reducing the insurance cost; avoiding the navigation hazards, which may otherwise damage the

vessels.

BENEFITS

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Environmental benefits: efficient route planning and monitoring provided by the proposed integrated system leads to reduction in the fuel consumption, which has a direct effect on the environment

Information Technology benefits: the proposed integrated system is to be distributed in part or as a whole through the Internet, which supports the GeoConnections program established by the Canadian government to make the Canadian geospatial information available on the Internet

Sovereignty/Emergency benefits: the proposed integrated system provides the means for efficient deployment of the Canadian Coast Guard in harsh weather conditions

BENEFITS (cont’d)