April 06, 2011 -- 1Spatial, provider of intelligent data quality and integration solutions, has delivered to Pole Star Space Applications Limited (UK) a real-time alert service extension to Pole Star’s counter-piracy ‘Ship Security and Reporting System’ ( www.ssrs.org), originally developed by 1Spatial for Pole Star in 2009 and operational since the beginning of 2010.
The current form of the ‘Ship Security Alert System’ (SSAS) regulation (SOLAS XI-1/6) requires ship security alerts to be routed only to the shipping company and the Flag. However, one or both of these organisations may not have an effective 24/7 monitoring operation in place or have only manual escalation procedures to communicate the piracy attack to the relevant naval coordination centre (e.g. MSCHOA / UKMTO). As a result, a critical delay may be introduced before the relevant naval forces operating in the area are informed of a piracy attack (e.g. EUNAVFOR).
Pole Star’s SSRS continuously and automatically monitors security alerts transmitted by subscribed ships. This uses the SSAS and compares the location with pre-defined Areas of Operations (e.g. Gulf of Aden / Horn of Africa). The system then routes the associated SSRS alert, enhanced over the original SSAS alert with other relevant details such as freeboard, speed and communication terminal details, to the relevant naval coordination centre in a digital format the related agencies involved can use. The system thus provides Naval forces with immediate location-information knowledge of a piracy attack and other relevant ship specific information.
SSRS, which is e-commerce enabled, is a practical and effective method for Flags and ship owners to extend Best Management Practice and offers a straightforward way to improve the effectiveness of its SSAS obligations and improve operational efficiency without adding extra resources.
Work recently completed by 1Spatial has extended Pole Star’s SSRS to provide Naval Operations Centres (NOCs) with an enhanced alert notification capability that includes the immediate visualisation of alerts on a web-based map display. This ‘at-a-glance’ facility keeps track of all currently active alerts and automatically updates as further alerts are received. Associated tools allow an operator to view the specifics of an alert on screen and any history associated with it. A companion, locally-deployed, listening service uses audio and on-screen notifications to ensure all new alerts are brought immediately to the attention of NOC operators.
This extension project was delivered under the partnership agreement between 1Spatial and Pole Star. The partnership is a mutually beneficial collaboration that sees Pole Star’s expertise in the provision of highly successful commercial marine asset tracking services, complimenting 1Spatial’s digital location-based information handling and associated operational software development expertise.
Julian Longson, Business Development Director at Pole Star, commented:
“The availability of this SSRS extension, delivered on-time and to budget by 1Spatial, will provide the MSCHOA and UKMTO watchkeeping teams with a powerful visualisation and alert management system, which with the other tools at their disposal will help contribute in the constantly evolving fight against piracy.”
Richard Proud, Business Development Director for 1Spatial added:
“Again it has been an absolute pleasure working with Pole Star on this project, which has been executed in true partnership style. It is also very rewarding to continue developing an operational geo-service that can make a real difference to the security and safety of international commercial shipping.”
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- *Flags indicate the legal jurisdiction of a merchant vessel to which it is subject
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1Spatial is an industry leader in the provision of intelligent data quality and integration solutions for organisations worldwide that need to trust their location-based information. For more than 40 years, 1Spatial has been providing solutions and services to public and private sector organisations who handle high-volumes of business critical data. By automating the transformation of complex and distributed data into accurate and valuable information, organisations can improve operational efficiently, reduce costs, manage compliance and improve decision making. These solutions are delivered through its own sales and services team with headquarters in Cambridge, UK. For more information, visit
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About Pole Star
Pole Star is dedicated to the provision of regulatory LRIT / SSAS services and commercial Fleet Management vessel tracking solutions to the shipping industry. Pole Star currently works with more