The ship domain is one of the criteria proposed for the safety of ships in restricted areas. Its shape is influenced by many factors. The paper presents the results of ship domain determination in a restricted area. The influence of ship speed on the shape and size of the domain was examined. The method of determining ship domain based on ship traces and partial domains was characterized. The results have been presented and conclusions formulate

Automatic communication between computer systems on board and ashore is a necessity. At this stage it is limited to simple exchange of information – the data transmitted in the messages. It is expected that it will take the more complex form soon, allowing the dialogue, the transmission of intentions and conducting negotiations. To make it possible, it is necessary to build suitable ontology, describing the processes of communication at sea. To apply this ontology in information systems it is necessary to present it in a proper representation. This paper presents a method of generating a representation in form of XML-Schema based on the ontology built with the use of Protégé program

The article presents the problem of knowledge representation contained in COLREGS for its use in navigation information systems. The idea of knowledge and representation of knowledge was discussed. A comparison of selected methods of knowledge representation was made and possibility of their use to represent the COLREGS rules was considered. By using selected COLREGS rule and presented methods of knowledge representation, functionality of the knowledge base was analyze

The paper presents a designing procedure of controllers in the structure of tracking model (Model Following Control, MFC) for nonlinear model of a ship as an object of the course angle control. In the article feedback linearization method for known nonlinearity in the input-output channel of plant has been used. Ideal linearization in the classical control system occurs only when the design nonlinearity of the model and the object are identical. Therefore, the article proposes the use of MFC structure, which is able to compensate for differences of non-linear characteristics of the process and model

In order to maintain a high level of security in areas where vessel traffic services operate, there is a great use of industrial cameras, which transmit information to the VTS controllers. Two very important elements of the video image transmission are speed and confidentiality of the transmitted data. Currently, one of the major problems in front of such systems is to choose an appropriate method for safe image transmission that meets the requirements of speed and confidentiality. There is the possibility of using the tools of computer science known as fingerprints. There are two ways to protect multimedia copyright. First way is to encrypt the data. Encryption provides that only privileged receivers with correct decryption keys will be able to decrypt information. Unfortunately, encryption isn’t sufficient protection, because after decryption, privileged user may easily violate copyright by sharing decrypted data with public. Second way is called a digital fingerprinting, which rely on embedding of some additional binary sequence into image. This sequence, called a fingerprint, is unique for each receiver and it’s unnoticeable for the human eye. With fingerprinting there is a possibility of further analysis of a intercepted copy which is suspected of being illegally shared. The paper presents the theoretical basis for the use of fingerprinting methods to protect the media sent in VTS systems, as well as a description of the most promising methods, in terms of safety and cost, called Joint Fingerprinting and Decryption methods. Approach proposed by the authors can enhance the security of the video image transmission in VTS systems

The paper rises the issue of a possibility to consider some achievements of the quantum mechanics in the diagnostics of marine energy machines and devices. It has been shown that the observations from the quantum mechanics and technical diagnostics obtained in the knowledge field of the empirical research are convergent. The need has been justified as for empirical research to make not only calculations of errors, but also to determine the uncertainty of test results (measurements) and identify whether they are mainly the result of inaccuracy of energy machines / devices as the research objects – or inaccuracy of the measuring technique (measuring methods and means). Moreover, the possibility of using mathematical statistics has been presented for describing the results of the studies connected with determining the instantaneous values of the measured quantities. It has been shown at the same time the necessity for the empirical research of a clear definition of the instantaneous value characterized by two coordinates: a measured value of a physical quantity and a value of time which the measured value of the physical quantity is assigned to

Effective maritime rescue bases on both surface units and aviation. The different types of units are selectively chosen according to their performances. The main operational limitations of a particular unit are weather conditions and vehicle characteristics. In addition to standard units, for purposes of search and rescue, a WIG craft is also applicable. The craft uses so called Ground Effect, therefore is characterized by relatively high speed and low fuel consumption. The article attempts to determine the statistical operational effectiveness of different search and rescue units. The analysis is based on data on wind force and direction, in the period from May to October, in the west coastal zone of Poland. The results of the study allow to compare operational effectiveness of various rescue units. The findings can be used to support planning of search and rescue forces’ dislocation and their efficient use

The article describes the method of the determination of optimal parameters of the approach channels leading to the outer port in Świnoujście assuring safe navigation of LNG tankers of Q-flex type. The method used was specially developed for optimized design of waterway systems. Conditions of safe vessel operations within the system were define

The paper presents an analysis of vessels entering the port of Szczecin in 2011 in terms of their size. The analysis comprises such ship parameters as length, breadth and draught. Focus has been put on those ships that require special entrance permission from Harbour Master. The analysis results can be useful in modeling vessel traffic streams and the assessment of traffic intensity on a waterway

Reverse Engineering (RE), in particular Coordinate Measuring Machine (CMM), is increasingly used in construction, maintenance and refurbishment of vessels. Over the last few years, it can observe increasing interest in the small size scanning instruments which operational characteristics will be similar to those station ones. In this way, hand-held scanning devices based on laser were developed. In this article, authors would like to present what role non-contact 3D laser scanners in quality control, project design and creation of new technical documentation in the form of CAD drawings. Authors would also like to propose a solution that would simplify the whole process of scanning and spared time and money. The solution is to move the entire infrastructure and software in the cloud computing and connecting to it using a thin client which then would be connected to the scanning device

This paper presents the use of mean crossover genetic operator for path planning using evolutionary algorithm for collision avoidance on sea. Mean crossover ensures widening of the possible solutions’ set that can be achieved in comparison to exchange crossover variant. The research shown, that the mean crossover allows to achieve results independent from the initial generation and quicker transition of the algorithm from the exploration to the exploitation phase. New version of the algorithm allows for an effective solution search for the problem of a collision scenario on sea

The paper presents an analysis of the energy balance and selected processes accompanying the IC engine working from the point of view of improving its efficiency. The article presents an analysis of the losses accompanying the work of the IC engine of the latest generations, as well as discusses efficiency of the systems improving performance of the above mentioned units. The systems described and suggested solutions are based on utilization of the IC engine losses as the source of their functioning. Besides, the structures of electrical energy management on board of a modern automobile are outlined and the concept of the distribution and supervision of electrical energy originating from the turbogenerator located in the exhaust system of the piston engine is proposed. Finally, an innovative solution is put forward of how to solve the problem of eclectic energy distribution and management of the system based on the use of kinetic energy of the exhaust gas passing through the IC engine exhaust system

The problem of using data from an electronic navigational chart meeting the S-57 standard for applications in the navigational decision support systems is dealt with. The authors consider problems of the selection and transformation of data used in the process of navigational situation analysis. The method of data acquisition and selection along with some methods of data presentation are described and compared. The operation of developed algorithms is discussed in relation to a selected fragment of an electronic chart. Advantages and disadvantages of various solutions are indicate

This paper presents sources of weather information necessary and useful when programming the ship route. Particular attention was given for publicly accessible information. Available data was categorized by groups of validity. The localization and the structure of weather data such as resolution, coverage, limitations, forecast time, etc. were described. The principles of naming the files containing the selected weather data in GRIB (gridded binary) format were presente

Many civil GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) applications need secure, assured information for asset tracking, fleet management and the like. But there is also a growing demand for geosecurity location- -based services. Unfortunately, GNSS is vulnerable to malicious intrusion and spoofing. How can users be sure that the information they receive is authentic? Spoofing is the transmission of matched-GNSS-signal- -structure interference in an attempt to commandeer the tracking loops of a victim receiver and thereby manipulate the receiver’s timing or navigation solution. A spoofer can transmit its counterfeit signals from a stand-off distance of several hundred meters, or it can be co-located with its victim. Spoofing attacks can be classified as simple, intermediate, or sophisticated in terms of their effectiveness and subtlety. In an intermediate spoofing attack, a spoofer synchronizes its counterfeit signals with the authentic GNSS signals, so they are code-phase-aligned at the target receiver. In this paper, authors consider the antispoofing algorithms based on finding statistical anomalies in the basic parameters of the satellite signals. At the stage of learning, the system of antispoofing explores the statistical properties of signals and at the phase of spoofing detection, the system used thresholds characteristics of statistical anomalies. The excess of the threshold characteristics provides a basis for probabilistic decision on the presence of spoofing