maritime digital services one stop shop · maritime digital services one stop shop ... ces (mds)....

MARITIME DIGITAL SERVICESONE STOP SHOP

FOR ALL MARITIME DIGITAL DATA AND PUBLICATIONS





a Grieg Group company

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An introduction to Maritime Digital Services


Over the last fifty years ships have got bigger and faster, manning levels have been reduced and the workload on board has increased substantially.

ECS/ECDIS has assisted navigators on the bridge but has brought its own problems in terms of extra administration.

Accidents due to crew fatigue are increasing and this is worrying government agencies around the world. Port state inspectors are regularly checking timesheets to en-sure that crew members do not exceed statutory working hours.

Owners are aware of the increasing administrative workload affecting ships officers particularly and are looking for ways of assisting them to cope with this.

Masters and officers interviewed by MARIS have advised that software to simplify and reduce their administrative workload would be a real benefit.

MARIS meets the challenge.

MARIS responded by developing Maritime Digital Servi-ces (MDS). This initiative uses software modules on board and a database ashore to assist the Master and Officers complete a range of tasks more efficiently. MDS Paper Chart Manager reduces the time necessary to manage and correct paper charts and pu-blications on board by up to 60 per cent.

MDS ARCS/ENC Manager simplifies and reduces cost of purchasing, managing and updating electronic charts.

MDS Route Manager reduces the time to plan a route, order charts and corrections and produce a voyage plan including squat calculation.

MDS Publications Manager reduces the time taken to update navigation and other publications on board.

MDS Weather Manager reduces the time to review route weather and plan accordingly..MDS Port and Document Manager saves time by providing the latest information and documentation to meet port, national and international requirements.

The MARIS MDS Goal is to develop further software tools to assist the mariner to :1. Improve efficiency.2. Save fuel.3. Reduce operating costs.

a Grieg Group Company

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MDS saves time and money. The MDS Server pre-processes the data that every mariner needs to correct paper charts. There is no need for the navigator on every ship to carry out this same pre-processing chore.

MDS Manager uses standard off the shelf hardware.There is no requirement for bespoke hardware. MDS software will run on a standard PC or laptop.

MDS Manager is the master programme for several sub-modules.It is not necessary to open a different programme for each task. The user can carry out several tasks from within the MDS -Manager software. Common data is accessed by all programme modules.

Taking only data needed on passage keeps satellite download costs lower than any competitor.Updates for charts under the current route are all that are needed on passage. All other chart updates can be downloaded direct from the internet at the next port.

Data can be downloaded and updated at any time.MDS Manager is used to place data orders. Individual orders are sent by return email and weekly update orders are sent automatically as soon as they are generated by the MDS Servers. Order changes and additional data requests can be made at any time.

Data sent from the MDS servers is encrypted and super compressed.The MDS servers encrypt and super compress data before emailing this to the user. Encryption guarantees security whilst super compression reduces the attachment file size to a minimum.

The user chooses the delivery method.Data is sent from MDS servers as an email attachment and can be downloaded automatically or manually via any email delivery method.

A log is kept within each module.MDS manager stores details of all user actions and a range of reports may be printed on demand.

MDS – Benefits


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MDS Manager.MDS Manager is the fulcrum software that links all modules supplied by MARIS under the MDS banner.

MDS Manager will run on any medium specification PC (MS Win XP O/S and MS Office preferred).

MDS Manager communicates with dedicated MDS servers at the MARIS head office in Norway by email or VPN over the Internet. Data is encrypted and highly compressed to reduce airtime to a minimum. Duplicate servers at an independent location ensure a 24/7 continuous service.

The programme encompasses modules for:• Managing and updating paper charts on board• Managing and updating electronic charts on board• Planning routes, ordering charts and producing voyage plans• Managing UKHO Lists of Lights and Radio Signal • Ordering and displaying weather forecast information • Ordering and displaying port information• Ordering and displaying national and international marine related documentation• Other modules

Managing and updating paper charts MDS Manager is sent a weekly update for the UKHO paper catalogue charts plus thumbnail bitmaps of new charts. (The file size for this information is very small). The MDS Paper Chart Manager displays catalogue and chart update changes on a status page.

Managing and updating electronic chartsMDS Manager is sent a weekly update for the UKHO ARCS and ENC catalogues. (The file size for this information is very small). The MDS ARCS and ENC chart Manager displays catalogue and chart update changes on relevant status pages.

Planning routes and producing voyage plansThe user can quickly lay off a route on the vector world chart and then select the chart type(s) needed. The MDS Manager calculates the charts under the route and lists these for review by the user. When the final list of charts has been chosen the user can immediately see which charts have to be ordered and what corrections are needed. Chart orders and update requests are emailed from within MDS Manager. A complete voyage plan, including squat calculation, can also be generated from within MDS Manager and the route plan sent to an ECDIS, ECS or printer.

Managing and Displaying Lists of UKHO Lights and Radio Signals A list of BA Volumes of Lights and Radio Signals is automatically generated and displayed for each route planned. The user may manually update paper volumes


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of these lists using the NTM data sent with the weekly catalogue update. Alternatively, the user may subscribe to the information supplied by the UKHO in digital form. Weekly updates for volumes relating to the current route are emailed by the MDS Server to MDS Manager and automatically included in the digital lists on board. The user will always see the latest information in the digital light list or radio signal folder.

Displaying forecast or weather chartsWeather forecasts may be requested from within MDS Weather Forecast Manager and displayed over a planned route. A five or nine day forecast can be animated to show movement of pressure systems relevant to the estimated position of the ship. A separate window can also be displayed to show the forecast wind and wave height at any point on the route. The route may be adjusted to miss forecast severe weather and the forecast wind and wave height will be changed accordingly. This module is extremely useful for planning ocean passages. Twice-daily forecasts can be ordered and overlaid on the chart automatically. The area of forecast and data detail can be adjusted to meet user requirement.

Displaying port informationThe latest information relevant to any port in the world can be called up from within the MDS Manager by clicking a port icon on the vector world chart.Comprehensive information includes port and individual berth layout maps, photos, anchorage information, arrival and departure requirements, navigation and sailing details, VTS and port control advice and pilot requirements.

Displaying national and international marine related documentationThis module is currently under development and will be the next added to the service.

Other modules Other modules are also under development and will be available as part of the service soon.


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MDS – Paper Chart Manager

The MDS Paper Chart Manager manages and assists with the updating of all UKHO paper charts on board. Once the list of paper charts on board (Standing Folio) has been sent to the MDS Server, updates for route charts (Work-ing Folio) are emailed together with the weekly catalogue update. NTM updates received by MDS Manager are pre-processed and placed on the status page so that the user can see im-mediately what work has to be done. The user normally reviews the cancelled and new chart lists first and then moves on to make corrections to the Working Folio using the data displayed on NTM page. Clicking the ‘NTM’s to apply’ button on the Status page opens the Notices to Mariners page. A list of corrections to be applied is displayed on the LHS of this page. The list may be customised by using the buttons at the top of the column. Correction details are displayed in the body of the page. The name and number of the chart plus the relevant correction number is written over a yellow band across the centre of the page. The last eight correction numbers for this chart are placed above the yellow band whilst text for a highlighted correction number appears below the band. Below the text is a bitmap showing the corrected portion of the chart and a thumbnail of the whole chart, (with the location of the correc-tion marked in orange). A link to the UKHO tracing and colour block appears in blue at the bottom of the NTM text. Bitmaps, tracings and blocks can be printed in full colour and to scale if required. Reports can be reviewed and printed off from the Report page whilst charts and NTMs may be ordered from most pages. Clicking the “Contact” button on the Status page takes the user to the email page. The route planner is opened by clicking a button at the bottom of the screen. The MDS paper chart manager logs all charts and NTM corrections from the date of subscription. The software does all the preparatory work involved in making corrections, significantly reducing the time taken and the potential for error. This feature is particularly beneficial to users who do not have English as their first language.

* Working folio = Charts to be used on the current voyage * Standing folio = All charts on board


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MDS ENC and ARCS Manager

The MDS ENC and ARCS chart manager is used to purchase and update ENC cells and raster charts. New licenses can be chosen and ordered directly from the route planner.As soon as the current inventory of ENC cells and ARCS charts is emailed to the MDS Server, updates for charts in the Working folio will be sent. All ENC and ARCS charts are automati-cally corrected as soon as an update email is received. Standing Folio charts are normally updated in port via an internet VPN link - but may be requested by email at any time.The MDS chart manager monitors the life cycle of each cell and ARCS chart licence on board. When a cell or chart licence is one week (one month for some licences) from expiry the MDS Manager will alert the user and request instruc-tions. This feature, together with the short dura-tion (three month) licences and instant licence access via MARIS, has helped to lower the cost of using ENC and ARCS charts.


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MDS Route ManagerPlanning routes and producing voyage plans

The MDS Route Manager is used for planning a route, listing charts and updates to order, producing a route plan and a voyage plan. The console on the right of the MDS main display is used to choose route making tools and display options. The user is able to open an existing route or begin a new route by clicking the icons in the consol area. The route making capability is extremely flexible and the vector chart sufficiently detailed for most purposes. Chart outlines under routes can be shown, added and removed as required by the user. After laying off a route on the vector chart, the user can choose the chart type (or combination of chart types) he wishes to use. The programme will highlight all charts under the route, and list the charts to be ordered and updated. The list of charts can be amended by the user via the display or the list.The user can overlay forecast weather information on the chart to view anticipated wind speed and swell height on route. (see Weather Forecast Manager) The route can be altered if required and then locked to prevent further alteration. A complete list of waypoint details, ship loading and trim details, squat calculation, port information and pilot details can be shown on the Voyage Plan pages. The voyage plan pages can be opened by clicking anywhere on the route.


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MDS - Lists of Lights and Radio Signals Manager.

The MDS DLL & ALRS Manager is capable of updating both the paper and digital versions of the Admiralty Lists of lights and Radio Signals.

Updating the paper lists of Lights and Radio signals.

The text contained in Sections 4 and 5 of the UKHO NTM document is sent together with the catalogue information each week. The pdf file containing this text is accessed by right clicking the icon for the relevant week number in the list on the left hand side of the Notice to Mariners page. A page from the pdf document can be printed and the correction cut and pasted over the existing details in the List of Lights or Radio Signals paper document.

Updating the Digital List of Lights and Radio Signals.

If the user is a subscriber to the UKHO Digital service, updates for the DLL and ALRS volumes under the current route can be emailed to the MDS Manager each week and automatically downloaded to both digital documents. A subscriber to the MDS DLL and ALRS Manager update service has nothing to do except check that each weekly update has been downloaded.


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MDS - Weather Manager

MDS Weather Manager is unique and highly efficient. Meteo Consult, a company with an excellent reputation, supplies weather forecast data to MARIS MDS.

Route planningThe user normally requests and reviews a five or nine day forecast when planning a route. The forecast data for the route can be overlaid on the vector chart background and the route laid over this. It is possible to animate the weather forecast and move the ship along the route at an estimated speed. It is also possible to show the anticipated wind speed and direction plus

sea height and swell that will affect the ship at any point on passage. By altering the pro-posed route it is possible to see the difference in weather parameters the ship will encounter. The combined effect of these tools gives the user an excellent indication of the weather to be expected on the voyage.

Passage forecastsTwice daily forecasts will be

sent automatically whilst the ship is on passage. This data can be overlaid on the chart in use (on the ECDIS, ECS or the MDS display) and the forecast data com-pared with actual weather at location. It is possible to send weather reports to Meteo Consult through the weather manager, to assist the forecasters to make more accurate forecasts for the local area. Hur-ricane and cyclone warnings (with history and prediction) can be downloaded together with ice warnings and coverage.

Ordering forecastsForecast orders are made or changed from within MDS Weather Manager. The user chooses the area and frequency of delivery and the software sends an email order.

Tide and CurrentTidal predictions are available for thousands of tidal stations worldwide. Calculations are made within the software for a specified location and date. Seasonal ocean current information can be called up and overlaid on the chart.The rising and setting times for the sun and moon can also be calculated for any date and place.


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MDS – Port Manager.

MDS Port Manager provides all the data a mariner might need when planning a voyage to a new port. Information about any port in the world can be called up from within the MDS Manager by clicking on a port icon on the vector world chart. The data is provided by Lloyd’s Register - Fairplay

A comprehensive range of data is accessed through the programme including:• VTS diagrams and calling point instructions• Pilot information

• Anchorage locations.• Port approach maps• Port navigation details• Arrival and departure requirements• Terminal details• Stevedore working hours• Port regulations• List of chandlers and port agents• List of other services Relevant data may be opened in one or more windows on the vector world chart.


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MDS – Communication

“What does it cost to send the Updates”. Every potential customer asks the same question.

The answer is simple “It depends on what updates you want and how urgently you want them”.

If the user collects all the data he needs via the internet in port, the cost will be negligible.If the user downloads only the Catalogues and Working Folio updates every week, via satellite at sea, this will take under a minute @ 9600 Baud. Twice daily forecasts will take a similar amount of satellite time.If the user chooses to download all MDS update data available at sea (World chart corrections plus weather forecasts etc) a dedicated 24/7 internet link is recom-mended. (Data download will be in excess of 10 minutes each week at 9600 Baud).

Because MDS data is sent as an encrypted and highly compressed email attachment over the internet the user is free to use several means of communication. BGAN is a lower cost satellite service available within 500 miles of most European and US coasts whilst GPRS and WIFI are available in most ports. WIMAX services are also becoming more available in coastal and port areas and it should not be long before all ships have a continuous link with the internet.

The data transmission philosophy of MDS is to allow the user to choose the most suitable communication method and the volume of data to be to download. Most users with Inmarsat will request automatic download of the daily weather forecasts and weekly updates for their Working Folio charts. Five or nine day planning forecasts and Standing folio chart updates will normally be collected when internet access is available on the coast or in port.

If MDS Manager is installed on a PC networked with the communications PC, it can be given an address and automatically updated. If there is no network availability a memory stick is normally used. The user must advise the preferred method of communication when registering the software with the MDS server.

MDS – Server configurationThe MDS Server is dedicated to MDS users, duplicated at a second location to provide 100% redundancy and updated daily. The server responds immediately to update requests and chart orders. Electronic chart orders are dealt with in-house whilst paper chart orders are passed on to the user nominated supplier. MARIS is an approved supplier of IC-ENC, UKHO ENC, Primar ENC, US ENC, Japan ENC and Malaysian ENC. MARIS is also an approved supplier of UKHO ARCS and US Raster charts.

E-mail

MDSServer

ON BOARD

MDS Manager

VPN Internet

ARCS

ENC

UKHO NtM

C-MAP

BSB

Publications

Weather

Port

Tide

Docs

Other Modules

Dual Server


ECDIS

Paper chart manager

ENC manager

ARCS manager

Route manager

Publications manager

Weather Manager

Port manager

Document manager

ECS

SVDR


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• One stop shop for all data

• User friendly software to access the MDS Server

• Subscribe only for the services you need

• Graphical interface links programme modules

• Download - ONLY the data needed – WHEN it is needed

• Update and manage paper charts in under half the time traditionally taken

• Update and manage electronic charts cost effectively

• Plan a route and automatically list all the charts and publications needed • Download weather forecast for proposed route and plan any deviation before leaving port

• Produce a voyage plan from a route without leaving the programme

• Route chart updates sent automatically each week whilst on passage

• All Chart updates sent on demand via internet in port

• Automatically receive and display twice daily weather forecasts

• Transfer chart updates to ECS or ECDIS

WHY YOU SHOULD USE MDS


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Wireless AIS Pilot plug transmitter -transmits AIS data from the onboard AIS to the por-table computer running MARIS ECDIS900 software.

Portable PC with Windows XP and Office for running MDS application.

MARIS ECDIS900 software for running on portable PC together with MDS service -provides ship with third portable ECDIS system.

MDS OPTIONS

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Lease or buy single or dual MARIS ECDIS900 hardware and software.

Lease or buy MARIS S-VDR with fully type approved ECDIS900.

Up to 6 months´ FREE

world-wide chart data

with every system!

IN ASSOSIATION WITH

MARIS is a limited company with head office in Tonsberg, Norway a recognized centre for maritime information technology. The company has delivered thousands of navigation systems to customers all over the world. The majority owner is the Grieg Group (www.grieg.com)

The Grieg Group has its beginnings in a long and proud maritime tradition. Today, in addition to shipowning and shipbroking, the group is engaged in fish farming and processing, global logistics, insurance broking and asset management, employing some 900 people.

MARIS roots go back to the start of the maritime information technology explosion of the mid-1960s. MARIS is a system house with world-class experience in maritime on-board systems. Innovative engineering from people in MARIS has added several “worlds first” to the global list of milestones. Among our worlds first are “Wheelmark” certified ECDIS and PC radar/ARPA, IEC 60945 certified Flat Panel Computer and S-VDR/ECDIS COMBO.

Maritime Information Systems AS (MARIS) Danholmen 25, NO-3128 Nøtterøy, Norway Tel: +47 33 30 42 50, Fax: +47 33 30 42 51 E-mail: [email protected] www.maris.noA

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A MeteoGroup Company

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