Fishing for trouble?
Some areas of the world are blessed with abundant fish stocks that are fished in a sensibly controlled way. There are adequate returns for the fishermen who, in turn, can afford the best vessels and equipment. Many don’t even mind that their fishing is monitored remotely to ensure that over-fishing does not occur.
However, the hard fact of life is that, in most areas of the world, there are scarce and dwindling fish stocks, fishermen struggle to make a decent living and cannot afford much equipment – never mind the best. They are also least likely to welcome being monitored when going about their daily life.
The regulatory reality of Vessel Monitoring Systems (VMS) is that they do watch and record what fishermen are doing within exclusive economic zones (EEZ). This leads to the absolute requirement for all fishermen within an EEZ to carry VMS equipment that enables monitoring. The combined burden of regulation, equipment need and small returns naturally drives fishermen to seek cost saving where possible.
Inmarsat C and mini-C – GMDSS and VMS options
Equipment used for VMS on many of the world’s fishing vessels is Inmarsat C, a small and very effective two-way satellite communications device that can provide not only VMS but also distress and safety capabilities. It can also be used as the vessel’s email terminal.
The latest version of Inmarsat C equipment is known as mini-C, which, whilst providing all the same functionality, requires much less power to operate just as effectively over the Inmarsat C system.
The Inmarsat C system is a key component of the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS). The GMDSS is part of the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) Convention of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO).
However, most fishing vessels are exempt from the GMDSS and do not have to carry SOLAS versions of Inmarsat C/mini-C. Inmarsat recognises that there are differing market requirements for its maritime equipment, particularly for Inmarsat C/mini-C, and therefore has type-approved a variety of model types.
For fishermen, making the right choice should be easy. There are only three possible choices, so it should not be hard to get it right. Yet some people have got it wrong – very wrong indeed, in some cases.
Hooking the right safety option
VMS operators wish to track fishing vessels within their EEZ and Inmarsat C/mini-C facilitates this. But, which option to choose? Here are the three possibilities:
- Inmarsat C/mini-C; non-SOLAS, non-Distress
- Inmarsat C/mini-C; SOLAS, with Distress
- Inmarsat C/mini-C; non-SOLAS, with Distress
Option 1, non-SOLAS, non-Distress
This option allows VMS authorities to track fishing vessels either at pre-set intervals (e.g. twice daily) or at intervals decided dynamically by VMS authorities should a particular vessel or vessels be acting suspiciously. This dynamically adjustable reporting interval capability applies to all three options.
However, with this option, the vessel cannot use the equipment to send a distress alert.
Without an optional messaging terminal, it also cannot manually communicate in any way and the equipment is unable to receive any form of maritime safety information (MSI) that is broadcast and provided free of charge for everyone. It is, effectively, just a “black box” tracking device that may or may not also have automatic sensor inputs.
Option 2, SOLAS, with Distress
This is the option that must be carried by vessels that are subject to the relevant GMDSS regulations. It has a type-approved messaging terminal, known as a Data Terminating Equipment (DTE). This comprises both a visual display and a printer.
All incoming messages can be viewed, with higher priority messages being printed out automatically. The equipment will receive and store all broadcast maritime safety information (MSI) within its area of operation. The equipment may also be used for routine communications (two-way telex and email, plus ship-to-shore text fax).
Option 3, non-SOLAS, with Distress
This option adds a distress calling capability to Option 1 above, which allows vessels in difficulty to summon help. However, it is also the most misunderstood option and it is this misunderstanding that is potentially endangering the lives of fishermen.
Once a distress capability is provided, it is essential that it be a two-way distress capability. Two-way means that there must be some form of messaging terminal (such as a laptop PC, and there may be an optional printer).
Provision of a messaging terminal allows vessels in distress to receive automatically and view positive acknowledgement that their distress has been received ashore. It also allows rescue authorities to communicate with the vessel in distress.
Equally importantly, if all fishing vessels in the EEZ have messaging terminals, rescue authorities can address all vessels in the vicinity of a distress incident, including the vessel in distress, and so better co-ordinate rescue activities.
False distress alerts also endanger lives. All distress alerts are treated as genuine until proven otherwise. Proving otherwise can often mean diverting essential search and rescue (SAR) assets needlessly and this is unacceptable.
Fitting a messaging terminal reduces the incidence of false distress alerts.
If a vessel accidentally transmits a false distress alert, and there is a messaging terminal fitted, the skipper can call the rescue centre and state that all is well.
If the false alert is inadvertent and the vessel is somehow unaware, the rescue authorities can contact the vessel and so avoid needless SAR operations.
With a messaging terminal fitted, vessels will receive, free of charge, all the maritime safety information (MSI) that is broadcast. This includes weather and navigational bulletins, both of which could be safety-critical for your vessel.
Messaging terminals can save lives!
All VMS Regulators are urged not to specify, and users should not accept, anything other than VMS with a messaging terminal.
Messaging terminals for non-SOLAS use are relatively inexpensive items of off-the-shelf equipment. They do not have to be the GMDSS type-approved version which can be much more expensive.
Messaging terminals will provide:
- Two-way distress capability, with all the advantages
- Reduced false distress alerting, leading to less waste of SAR assets
- Free reception of safety-critical maritime safety information
- Inclusion of Search and Rescue capabilities
Seafarers trust Inmarsat – with their lives!
Do not risk your life – fit a messaging terminal
.jpg)