Canadian Coast Guard

Major Projects

• Computer Based Training (CBT)
• National Information System on Marine Navigation (INNAV)
• Communications Control System (CCS) for MCTS Program
• Implementation of GMDSS in Canada/Implementation Digital Selective Calling (DSC)
• Universal Automatic Identification System (UAIS)

Computer Based Training (CBT)

The National Training Programs for Radio Operators and Marine Traffic Regulators have been combined to produce a National MCTS Training Curriculum document. The conventional stand-up lesson plans for the theory modules, contained in training document have been converted to CBT technologies and was applied to the latter courses in the National MCTSO cross training program. Presently, work is underway to apply the CBT method of delivery to the MCTSO ab initio and refresher training programs.

Contact: Chris Harber - Project Manager Tel: (613) 990-3038

National Information System on Marine Navigation (INNAV)

Description: The National Information System on Marine Navigation (INNAV) is an operational tool that links all information needed by MCTS officers through an integrated workstation. INNAV uses client-server technology to ensure that up-to-date information is available, in real time, to every officer. The system will permit MCTS to automate manual and repetitive tasks, enable tasks formerly performed on a series of separate systems to be performed on one platform, and will allow outside clients direct access to appropriate MCTS data.

Communications Control System (CCS) for MCTS Program

Description: The development and procurement of an integrated new CCS which will accommodate the most complex needs of integrated operations at MCTS Centres. The Communications Control System (CCS) enables the MCTS Officer to control all communication activities at local and remote sites. The CCS project is being developed to accommodate the complex needs the integrated MCTS environment. The software driven system uses technology that will enable each MCTS Centre to configure the CCS according to their requirements.

Implementation of GMDSS in CANADA / Implementation of Digital Selective Calling (DSC)

Description: This project is to implement Very High Frequency (VHF) Digital Selective Calling (DSC) at a number of Marine Communications and Traffic Services (MCTS) Centres in order to provide automated radiocommunications coverage for the East and West coasts of Canada. The VHF/DSC deployment would be progressive. At first the project will address the establishment of Sea Area I, for the waters south of 55º north, excluding the Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence River.

This proposal also includes implementation of a High Frequency (HF) DSC service for the Arctic area outside of satellite coverage.

Implementation of DSC falls within the Departmental objective to maintain marine safety. World shipping is in the process of updating its radio equipment and radio procedures to meet GMDSS standards which were implemented February 1, 1999.

DSC improves the detection and handling of distress and safety traffic by MCTS Centres. It has been adopted by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) as an integral part of the (GMDSS) for terrestrial communications.

Contact: George Olmstead - National Program Specialist - MCTS
Tel: (613) 998-1510

Universal Automatic Identification System (UAIS)

Description: The Canadian Coast Guard MCTS Directorate has taken a proactive role in its commitment to support international efforts to complete Universal Shipborne AIS standards and institute carriage requirements for ships internationally which could be as early as July 2002.

The MCTS Directorate chairs the National AIS Steering Committee (made up of CG and Industry representatives). This committee recently created an AIS Implementation Sub-committee to address the development of a national AIS implementation strategy given the evolving international standards. MCTS has also initiated a AIS R&D project for the Placentia/Hibernia tanker movements utilizing the accepted UAIS protocols which will among other things evaluate the re-transmission of radar positional data from a shore based station.

What is a Universal AIS?

The Universal AIS is a shipboard broadcast transponder system, operating in the VHF maritime band, that is capable of sending such ship information as identification, position, heading, ship length, beam, type, and draught, hazardous cargo information, to other ships as well as to shore. It is capable of handling over 2,000 reports per minute and updates as often as every two seconds. It uses Self-Organizing Time Division Multiple Access (SOTDMA) technology to meet this high broadcast rate and ensure reliable ship-to-ship operation. The system is also backwards compatible with digital selective calling systems.

How Does it Work?

Each UAIS system consists of one VHF transmitter, two VHF TDMA receivers, one VHF DSC receiver, and a standard marine electronic communications link to shipboard display systems. Position and timing information is normally derived from an integral or external GPS receiver, normally including a medium frequency differential GPS receiver for precise position in coastal and inland waters. Other information, if available, is broadcast by the UAIS and is electronically obtained from shipboard equipment through standard marine data connections. Heading information is normally mandatory.

The UAIS transponder normally works in an autonomous and continuous mode, regardless of whether it is operating in the open seas or coastal or inland areas. Although only one radio channel is necessary, each station transmits and receives over two radio channels to avoid interference problems, and to allow channels to be shifted without communications loss from other ships. The system provides for automatic contention resolution between itself and other stations, and communications integrity is maintained even in overload situations.

Evolving International Standard

In July 1997, the 43rd session of the IMO Navigation Subcommittee completed a draft Performance Standard for a Shipborne Automatic Identification System (AIS). This performance standard described the operational requirements for a UAIS, but did not define the technology and telecommunications protocol that a UAIS must use.

In October 1997, the ITU World Radio Conference (WRC97) designated two channels, 87B (161.975 MHz) (AIS1) and 88B (162.025 Mhz) (AIS2) for worldwide UAIS purposes.

In March 1998, the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) Sector for Radiocommunications, Working Group 8B, drafted an AIS technical standard entitled "Technical Characteristics For A Universal Shipborne Automatic Identification System Using Time Division Multiple Access In The VHF Maritime Mobile Band".

In May 1998, at the 69th Session of the IMO Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) the IMO Performance Standard for a Univeral Shipborne AIS was formally adopted.

It was also during May 1998, that the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) TC80/WG8-U.AIS committee began work on developing a performance, technical, operational and testing standard for the Universal AIS transponder. This standard will be developed on a fast track and is expected to be completed within two years. This standard will supercede the IEC Standard 61993-1 on digital selective calling (DSC) AIS transponders.

In July 1998, the draft AIS Technical Standard which was developed by the ITU Sector for Radiocommunications, Working Group 8B, was approved by the ITU Study Group (SG) 8. This recommendation will now go for approval to all ITU administrations by correspondence. This process takes 4 month and need 70% support and is anticipated to be formally adopted.

Carriage Requirements

As UAIS plays an important role in increasing the safety of life at sea and the protection of the environment as well as in SAR-applications there would appear to be no reason to delay the implementation of AIS-equipment on SOLAS-ships. However, it will be the standardization process and the manufacturers delivering possibilities which will determine when a carriage requirement can be realized.

International carriage requirements will be addressed under the SOLAS Convention Chapter V. Initial proposals indicate these carriage requirements would be applicable to all ships of 300 d.w.t. and over, with installation completed by January 1, 2002.