3 Ship Reporting Systems
3 Ship Reporting Systems
EMSA facilitates technical cooperation between Member States and the Commission for
the exchange of EU vessel traffic information (SafeSeaNet), the long-range identification
and tracking of vessels (LRIT), and to support EU operational reporting services, including
the electronic transmission of reporting formalities.
Member States and EMSA operate SafeSeaNet, the vessel traffic monitoring and
information system covering the waters in and around Europe. It acts as a platform for
maritime data exchange, linking together maritime authorities from across the continent.
It works by tracking Automatic Identification System (AIS) radio signals transmitted by
ships. These provide identity details, latest positions and other status information in
near-real-time for around 17,000 vessels operating in and around EU waters.
hazardous goods
the number of people on board
past positions of ships
ships with high risk profiles
accidents and incidents
estimated or actual arrival and departure times in ports.
Tracking vessels outside the range of AIS coastal networks requires the use of satellites.
Emerging technologies now enable AIS signals to be received by satellite. This will
progressively extend the geographical range of the AIS system. EMSA is at the forefront
of exploring how this can support the European vessel traffic monitoring community.
The Amver system
A. Amver is a worldwide voluntary ship reporting system operated by the United States
Coast Guard (USCG) to promote safety of life and property at sea. Amver’s mission is to
quickly provide SAR authorities, on demand, accurate information on the positions and
characteristics of vessels near a reported distress.
Any merchant vessel anywhere on the globe, on a voyage of greater than 24 hours duration,
is welcome in the Amver system and family. International participation is voluntary
regardless of the vessel’s flag of registry, the nationality of the owner or company, or ports
of call.
B. According to U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD) regulations, U.S. flag merchant
vessels of 1,000 gross tons or more operating in foreign commerce and foreign flag vessels
of 1,000 gross tons or more for which an Interim War Risk Insurance Binder has been issued
under the provisions of Title XII, Merchant Marine Act, 1936, must report and regularly
update their voyages and positions to Amver in accordance with the instructions in this
manual.
D. Use of the Information Reported Information voluntarily provided by vessels to Amver is
kept strictly confidential and is protected by the USCG. It will be released only for safety
purposes. Amver’s greatest use is in providing SURface PICtures – SURPICs – to Rescue Co-
ordination Centres - RCCs.
A SURPIC either lists latitude/longitude or provides a graphical display of vessels near the
position of a distress. It is used by RCCs to coordinate the efforts of merchant vessels and
other resources to provide the best and most timely assistance possible to distressed
vessels or persons at sea.
U.S. vessels which transport more than six passengers for hire, operated more than 200
nautical miles from the nearest land, must “participate in the Amver system while engaged
on any voyage where the vessel is navigated in the open sea for more than 24 hours.”