145

1 INTRODUCTION

The e-Navigation technologies, which integrate the

operation of sea and inland waterway navigation

systems, are applied in the River Information Services

(RIS) system in the process of communications data

management. [9]

Improvement of the safety of navigation and

reduction of the number of errors, including human

errors, e.g., committed by the officer of the watch, is

the most important criterion of collaboration of the

integrated communications platform at a RIS centre

with the VTS systems, rescue coordination centres

(RCCs), and shore-based stations. [11],[12]

2 NAVIGATION DATA PROCESSING IN THE RIS

SYSTEM USING THE E-NAVIGATION

STRATEGY [9]

2.1 River Information Service (RIS) system [2]

The River Information Service (RIS) system supports

and coordinates the planning of transport on inland

waterways. [1],[3]

Using advanced ICT technologies, a RIS centre

manages traffic in inland waterway transport by

providing operational (e.g., immediate navigation-

related decisions) and strategic (e.g., voyage

planning) services related to the management of

terminals and cargo handling operations. [16]

A RIS centre facilitates reliable verification and

processing of statistical data on inland waterways in

Implementation of e-Navigation Strategies for RIS

Centres Supporting Inland Navigation

A. Lisaj

aritime University of Szczecin, Szczecin, Poland

ABSTRACT: The article presents at e-Navigation strategy and implementation plan for RIS centres supporting

inland navigation.

The author describes the RIS centre system architecture and modules collaborating in the process of data

transmission based on e-Navigation technologies.

The functional requirements of e-Navigation strategies for distress communications procedures and ensuring

the safety of inland navigation in compliance with the EU directives are described.

The components of e-Navigation, which integrate state-of-the-art satellite and terrestrial radio communications

systems in the process of effective and efficient management of navigational data transmission, are presented.

The feasibility of implementation of e-Navigation strategies for the Multifunctional Communication System

integrating digital and analog data processing systems in maritime and inland navigation are analysed.

A technological model of the Maritime Navigation Cloud supporting data exchange in the e-Navigation system

is put forward.

http://www.transnav.eu

the International Journal

on Marine Navigation

and Safety of Sea Transportation

Volume 13

Number 1

March 2019

DOI: 10.12716/1001.13.01.14

146

the EU Member States. The e-Navigation strategy

makes it possible to harmonise data transmission

standards used by inland navigation authorities for

the purpose of monitoring and strategic planning of

the entire transport chain. [15],[23]

2.2 The e-Navigation strategy architecture for services

provided by RIS centres [6], [23]

The e-Navigation strategy is aimed to integrate

navigational data transmission systems. Increasing

the radio communications capacity, e-Navigation

technologies utilize terrestrial and satellite systems as

well as broadband Internet. [4], [5]

Elements of the e-Navigation strategy (Fig. 1)

integrate state-of-the-art ICT systems available

onboard ships with shore-based stations through RIS

centres. [8]

The module of collaboration between the World-

Wide Radio Navigation System (WWRNS) and the

Common Maritime Data Structure (CMDS) presented

in Fig. 1 ensures uniform operation of the data

management system. [6], [24]

The services performed at a RIS centre are aimed

at coordinating distress alerts. The World-Wide Radio

Navigation System uses the FleetBroadband satellite

broadband terminal equipped with a Distress Call

button in the Voice Distress Services application,

implemented onboard inland waterway craft. [12]

The proposed e-Navigation architecture, which

meets the functional requirements of the RIS system,

features the Marine Service Portfolio module

integrating both sea and inland waterway services.

The MSP is designed to supervise efficient and

effective transmission of navigation data required by

the OOW, with simultaneous correction and

elimination of transmission errors. [6]

3 MODEL OF E-INS INTEGRATED WITH THE RIS

SYSTEM [17]

The e-INS navigation module (Fig. 3), based on e-

navigation technology and integrated into the RIS

system, performs the following functions [13]:

 records, verifies and delivers processed data from

external and internal sensors of navigational

instruments, ensuring reliable distribution of

information;

 provides a real-time graphical representation of

the navigation process to the OOW;

 warns the data operator at the RIS centre of

imminent danger and prepares the system for the

distress procedure;

 by means of the Integrated Radio Communication

(IRS) module, enables the captain to communicate

via VHF, MF/HF radio and satellite systems (SAT).

[23]

Using the integrated e-INS navigation system, the

RIS centre applies the UN/EDIFAC (Electronic Data

Interchange for Administration, Commerce and

Transport) standard, uniform across the EU, in the

process of data transmission in electronic ship

reporting. [3], [7]

Application of the e-INS navigation system in the

operation of the RIS centres allows collaboration with

the navigation bridge of inland craft and facilitates:

[14], [17]

 finding parameters of the ship’s motion;

 imaging the navigational situation on the basis of

ECDIS and Inland ECDIS;

 finding the vector of motion of one’s own ship;

 position fixing, using the radio navigation and

satellite methods. [8]

Figure 1.The e-Navigation strategy architecture performing services in the RIS system.[9].

147

Figure 2. Model of e-INS integrated navigation system at a RIS centre.[7].

4 E-NAVIGATION IN SUPPORT OF THE

MULTIFUNCTIONAL COMMUNICATION

SYSTEM [12]

The Multifunctional Communication System

operating in the RIS system facilitates: [1]

 electronic ship reporting in accordance with the

EDI (Electronic Data Interchange) standard;

 display of electronic navigational charts showing a

graphical representation of ships’ positions;

 navigational data interchange among the EU

countries in inland waterways transport;

 automatic identification and tracking of

navigational situations in fairways. [21], [22]

Figure 3 shows communication modules

collaborating in the process of electronic ship

reporting to the RIS centre, using digital and analog

radio communications systems, VHF, MF/HF bands,

and satellite systems. [13]

Processing

Collection

Gathering &

Delivery

Distribution

‘co-ordination of interaction with the operator

Wireless

communication

with vessels

Distribution

‘co-ordination of communication with ship(s)

Distribution

‘co-ordination of interaction proprietary systems

Operator in back-office

or control room

Presentation & Operation

Distribution

‘co-ordination of interaction with

other back-offices or control rooms

BICS IVS’90Wal-

Radar

Wide-area

communication

system

Logistical systems &

Systems for calamity

abatement

Short-range

communication

system

Figure 3. Electronic chip reporting to the RIS centre. [10].

Efficient and reliable communication is an

underlying feature of e-Navigation services. The

architecture of the Multifunctional Communication

System operating in the RIS centre system includes

the following terrestrial radio communications

systems: [4], [11]

 VHF radio telephony, DSC VHF, MF/HF,

NAVTEX, EPIRB, SART AIS-SART;

 as well as satellite systems, such as:

 FleetBroadband, VSAT- Terminals, INMARSAT,

EGC, and COSPAS-SARSAT.

148

Figure 4. Structure of the Maritime Cloud implemented at a RIS centre. Source: Own work, based on [20].

5 THE MODEL OF MARITIME CLOUD

ARCHITECTURE IMPLEMENTED IN THE RIS

SYSTEM FOR DATA TRANSMISSION [11], [18]

Owing to the development of the e-Navigation

technology, the maritime cloud technology could

have been implemented into the RIS system to

increase the safety of data transmission and

interchange. [11]

There are two modules integrated into the

structure of the Maritime Cloud (Fig. 4), which

perform the following functions: [20]

 record transport services in real time; and

 identify navigational databases.

The Maritime Cloud creates a database accessible

to selected users.

The service ensures communication and data

interchange between vessels and shore-based

stations.

6 SUMMARY

The paper discusses e-Navigation technologies

supporting harmonised services performed by the

RIS centres in inland waterway transport, within the

framework of the strategies set out in relevant EC

directives. [9]

RIS centres archive and process information and

make it available to captains of inland going vessels,

as well as provide decision-making support in the

processes of transport planning and management.

Application of e-Navigation technologies in RIS

centres defines standards and ensures sufficient

availability of services to meet the increasing needs of

inland navigation users. The e-Navigation strategy

facilitates verification of quality of the processed data

and boosts the competitiveness of communication

technology suppliers who ensure quick, reliable and

integrated signal transmission. [15]

The e-Navigation technologies implemented in a

RIS centre adapt the inland waterway transport to the

logistic solutions proposed by the European

Commission, and through broadband access to

Internet services, integrate into the European

intermodal transport network. [19]

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