Vessel Activity Tracking Using Zoned Map Analytics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for managing vessels and fleets are unreliable and time-consuming, relying on crewmember reports that may be incomplete or delayed, and fail to comply with regulatory requirements, leading to environmental degradation and financial losses.
Innovation Solution
An integrated data collection and analytics system that uses a network of core devices and external sensors to collect and analyze data on vessel activities, positioning, and environmental conditions, enabling real-time tracking and monitoring of vessel paths and activities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If crewmember reports are used to determine vessel activities, then information can be obtained without additional equipment, but the information is unreliable and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical reporting system (crewmembers recording and transmitting information) with an automated electronic data collection and transmission system using sensors, processors, and communication devices that automatically capture and relay vessel activity data in real-time
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service by allowing the vessel monitoring system to automatically collect, process, and transmit its own operational data without requiring human intervention for information gathering and reporting
2Reliability
If conventional fleet management methods are used, then operational flexibility is maintained, but regulatory compliance is not achieved and environmental damage occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring vessel activities through sensors and automatically transmitting data to authorities, enabling real-time verification of regulatory compliance and immediate detection of potential environmental hazards
Solution Approach 2:
The electronic monitoring system acts as an intermediary between the vessel operations and regulatory authorities, providing independent verification of compliance and reducing the need for direct human inspection while ensuring environmental protection
3Device complexity
If manual information collection from crewmembers is used, then system complexity is minimized, but information completeness and accuracy deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the information collection function into multiple independent sensor units that each capture specific vessel parameters (position, speed, gear status, etc.), with each sensor providing specialized data that collectively forms a complete and accurate picture of vessel operations
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for tracking vessel activities are described. An exemplar method of tracking vessel activities includes: (i) receiving data, using one or more devices, including vessel positioning data and/or time associated with one or more vessels traversing one or more paths on a body of water; (ii) deducing, using the data received from step (i), vessel attributes of one or more the vessels at certain positions and/or time along one or more of the paths; (iii) identifying, based on the vessel attributes of step (ii), one or more types of vessel activities of one or more of the vessels at the certain positions along one or more of the paths; (iv) parsing an electronic map of the body of water and land surrounding the body of water into discrete geographic zones; (v) grouping one or more types of vessel activities being carried out in each of the discrete geographic zones to arrive at one or more types of grouped vessel activities; (vi) causing to display or displaying one or more types of the grouped vessel activities that are being carried out in at least some of the discrete geographic zones.