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1 INTRODUCTION
The European Commission in its points out the
fundamental importance of inland waterway transport
in the entire transport system of the European Union
and defines standards for information exchange and
directions for the development of radio
communication systems for integration and
cooperation in maritime and inland waterway
transport [2, 3].
Inland navigation, which differs significantly in its
characteristics from maritime navigation, requires
integrated communication solutions and cooperation
of radio systems in the field of communication and
navigation data exchange.
Developments in communication technologies such
as digital signal transmission and the development of
satellite systems provide the opportunity for skippers
of inland vessels to effectively support navigational
decision-making.
In inland navigation, vessels and traffic
management services need reliable communication
solutions to ensure efficiency and effectiveness in daily
operations as well as in emergency and distress
situations. Ensuring effective communication in
emergency situations is a priority.
In this context, traditional communication systems
such as radio or mobile communications are unreliable,
especially in highly urbanized areas or away from land
infrastructure [1, 9].
For this reason, new solutions should be sought, e.g.
based on satellite-based communication options.
Inland navigation vessels are not convention vessels,
i.e. they are not part of GMDSS communication [4].
This is important because these ships can also sail in
formally maritime areas. In Poland, for example, this is
the case for shipping from Wroclaw to Swinoujscie or
onwards to Gdansk. An inland unit in Szczecin at Most
Dlugi enters maritime waters and navigates in the A1
area in the direction of Gdansk.
Unfortunately, apart from VHF radio, it does not
have DSC and is "inaudible" to seagoing vessels with
its Automatic Transmitter Identification System (ATIS)
identification number. The same applies to the
maritime identification number (MMSI), which is not
received by inland vessels. Analogous situations exist
The Advanced Radio Communication Technologies
for Inland Navigation
J. Uriasz & A. Lisaj
Maritime University of Szczecin, Szczecin, Poland
ABSTRACT: The article presents integrated digital and analog radio communication technologies to be used in
inland navigation. The communication model of an integrated Iridium satellite system with DSC-VHF in
emergency situations for the needs of inland navigation was presented. The functional requirements of the
Iridium satellite system for inland navigation were characterized in detail. Finally, the applicability of the Thuraya
satellite system for inland navigation was presented.
http://www.transnav.eu
the International Journal
on Marine Navigation
and Safety of Sea Transportation
Volume 19
Number 1
March 2025
DOI: 10.12716/1001.19.01.19
162
for Inland AIS and AIS as well as for Inland ECDIS and
ECDIS, which are not integrated and do not work
together [5, 10].
In European countries, this is the case in Belgium,
Croatia, France, Germany, the Netherlands and other
countries where maritime and inland shipping also
intersect.
2 USE OF THE IRIDIUM SATELLITE SYSTEM IN
INLAND NAVIGATION
The geographical position of a ship in inland
navigation was continuously determined using
traditional navigation methods. Developments in
communication technology have enabled the
increasing use of satellite-based positioning systems,
which have become established. They enable the
simultaneous visualisation of the geographical
position in real time on an Inland ECDIS screen [12].
The position of a vessel on an inland waterway
should not be considered as a point, but as the spatial
position of the vessel's waterline due to the proximity
of shorelines, infrastructure and other vessels.
Navigation in confined inland waterways relies on
keeping the vessel's position on the correct side of the
safety isobath at all times [8].
Accidents and navigation errors are the result of
assuming a point position. Nevertheless, the use of
modern positioning systems, such as satellite systems,
is a key element in improving the safety criterion of
navigation [4].
In inland navigation, there are obstacles such as
high banks, elevated urban buildings, which can be a
significant obstacle for satellite signals from satellites at
lower topocentric heights [12].
One choice for connectivity for an inland vessel is to
use satellite communications and the Iridium Lars
Thrane LT-3100S solution, which has features such as
Iridium SafetyCast and Distress Alert & Distress
Call/Distress Alert Relay, which are effective tools in
distress communications situations and to ensure
safety.
Figure 1.Structure of the SafetyCast system. Source: [7]
The Iridium SafetyCast service provides inland
vessels with navigational and meteorological
warnings, weather forecasts, information on SAR
operations and urgent messages concerning the safety
of navigation. It enables the automatic transmission of
navigation and rescue information to specific services.
Figure 1.
The messages are transmitted by authorised
providers via the Iridium system gateway. On board
ships, these messages are received by Iridium Ship
Earth Station (SES) receivers that are compatible with
the EGC system.
Each message contains a preamble that enables the
Iridium SES receiver to recognise and display
messages related to the vessel's current position and
planned route.
An important feature for inland waterway vessels is
the ability for continuous and effective Distress Alert &
Distress Call / Distress Alert Relay communications.
The emergency function system is programmed to
automatically send an emergency message and initiate
a direct call to the Rescue Coordination Centre (RCC)
when the ‘Distress’ button is pressed. Fig. 2.
Figure 2. Distress button. Source: User & Installation Manual
LT-3100S Iridium Satellite Communications System
If an inland waterway vessel is in distress and
requires immediate assistance, the Rescue
Coordination Centre (RCC) sends a so-called "Distress
Alert Relay" message to sea and inland waterway
vessels (e.g. on the Wrocław-Szczecin-Gdansk route)
that are located in the A1 area within a radius of up to
50 nautical miles [11].
3 CONCEPT FOR A PROTOTYPE MODULE
INTEGRATING DSC VHF WITH THE IRIDIUM
SATELLITE SYSTEM.
The integration of DSC VHF with IRIDIUM Satellite
System through access to modern radio
communication technologies will allow us to obtain the
most accurate positioning of a vessel during Search and
Rescue operations and Distress/Urgency procedures
[5, 10].
A concept for a prototype device integrating DSC
VHF with the IRIDIUM Satellite System - Figure 3 - was
presented.
Tests show that it is practically possible to integrate
the DSC VHF system with Iridium to obtain the
improved position and speed vector of the inland
vessel.
Figure 4.-below- presented estimation error of the
positioning variables x, y inland vessel position using
integrating model the DSC VHF and IRIDIUM Satellite
System.
163
Figure 3. A concept for a prototype device integrating DSC
VHF with the IRIDIUM Satellite System[own work, based on
[6].
20
40
60
80
100
120
-0.15
-0.1
-0.05
0
0.05
0.1
0.15
0.2
t[s]
[m]
błędy estymacji położenia
Y
X
Figure 4. Estimation error of the x,y inland vessel position
using integrating model of the DSC VHF and IRIDIUM
Satellite System
Figure 5 shows presented estimation error of the Vx,
Vy vessel speed vector.
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
-14
-12
-10
-8
-6
-4
-2
0
2
4
6
t[s]
[m/s]
błędy estymacji prędkości
VY
VX
Figure 5. Estimation error of the Vx, Vy vessel speed vectors.
Obtaining an optimally accurate position of the
inland transport allows the watch officer on the bridge
cooperating with SAR centers and inland vessels.
4 THURAYA SATELLITE SYSTEM APPLICABILITY
FOR INLAND NAVIGATION
The use of the Thuraya satellite system as a
communication system for inland navigation is a
feasible task. The Thuraya T2M-DUAL system is used
as an example. This system is already used for real-
time tracking of static or mobile systems. For example,
this system is often used as a communication device for
trucks and for tracking and positioning solar panels
and wind turbines.
Figure 6. Thuraya T2M-DUAL. Source: User & Installation
Manual Thuraya Satellite Communications System
The following features of the device are its
advantages for inland navigation. Firstly, the
automatic switching between satellite communication
and conventional mobile networks, i.e. the system itself
determines which type of positioning is most effective,
so that the vessel can always be located in real time and
is able to transmit signals and information.
Secondly, the system has built-in resilience to
difficult weather conditions, which is an important
advantage. And thirdly, it can take advantage of any of
the satellite systems shown in Figure 7.
This device can be used in combination with the
Thuraya satellite system and others to manage a fleet
of ships, especially in areas where there is no or very
poor coverage by traditional mobile radio. In addition,
the speed of the service is increased by the ability to
connect the system to cargo sensors, allowing you to
monitor the status of the cargo in real time. The
functions also include the recording of input data such
as speed, course, position and crew activities.
Figure 7. Thuraya T2M-DUAL System Schematic. Source:
User & Installation Manual Thuraya Satellite
Communications System
This device in combination with the satellite system
and the integrated functions is a low-cost and effective
solution that can be used as a communication device
on barges and other river vessels. Low cost and fast
performance are an undeniable advantage of the
device, in sum, to transmit information or signals,
under all conditions of coverage as well as remoteness.
In addition, this system is very practical when crossing
164
borders during transportation and does not require
any additional modifications in this regard
If the system needs to send a distress signal or a call
for help, this is done as follows. By pressing the
emergency button as shown in Figure 8, the signal is
sent to a special server via the nearest mobile phone
mast via a gateway, the information is then processed
by the operator, who directly initiates the rescue
measures, i.e. it is guaranteed that the signal is received
immediately.
Figure 8 Thuraya device with Alert Button. Source User &
Installation Manual Thuraya Satellite Communications
System
The company can forward the information packet
from the gateway to the nearest Rescue Centre or VTS.
If the mobile signal is weak or absent, the information
can also be transmitted directly to the Thuraya satellite
or to another satellite system.
5 CONCLUSIONS
The use of Iridium and Thuraya satellite systems on
inland waterway vessels ensures the safety of
communication and navigation thanks to their global
coverage and the quality and reliability of their
communication.
In remote and inaccessible shipping areas where
traditional radio communication methods could fail,
satellite technologies enable integration with terrestrial
analogue-digital radio systems.
The solution proposed in this paper for the
integration of DSC devices with the Iridium system
enables precise and accurate tracking of the vessel,
immediate transmission of navigational information
and instant response and interaction with SAR centres
in emergencies where the lives of crew members are in
danger.
The integration of the DSC VHF subsystem for
shipping with the Iridium satellite system enables the
transmission of navigation information for the needs of
inland waterway vessels.
The algorithms used in the integration and
processing of navigation and operational data enable
comprehensive cooperation between ships in maritime
and inland traffic.
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