[Type text] DRAFT [Type text]

VESSEL DATA MONITORING SYSTEM(VDMS)

INTRODUCTION

Malaysia has explored the deep sea resources until the EEZ boundary since 1980. As a
member state in the UNCLOS, Malaysia needs to manage and handle fisheries resources
through responsible management. Irresponsible fishing activities are the main cause for
depletion. The Ministry of Agriculture (MOA) requires that fisheries be sustainable and not
jeopardize fish stocks for future generations. Even so, Malaysia's fish populations continue to
decline. Therefore, the MOA has been assessing the way Malaysia fisheries are managed and
the challenges they face. The MOA concluded that the main contributor to overfishing is that
the fleet's fishing capacity is greater than its fishing opportunities.

Malaysian EEZ

Malaysian fishing vessel.

Malaysian government also provides hundred millions of ringgit of subsidized diesel for the
boats/vessels. Instead, vessel operators were profiting from the sale of the fuel to buyers from
neighbouring countries.

Commercial in Confidence
1
[Type text] DRAFT [Type text]

The Fishery department has tried to get the vessel owners/operators to install a satellite based
system to track the boats/vessels with not much success (http://www.dof.gov.my/en/vessel-
monitoring-system-VMS-).

Regulatory agencies require all commercial fishing vessels to carry sophisticated and
expensive vessel monitoring systems (VMS) to ensure they are meeting national and
international regulations related to territorial seas, fisheries management and environmental
protections.

CURRENT VESSEL MONITORING SYSTEM (VMS)

A computerised system that uses information technology and satellite communication to track
fishing vessels.
The tracker known as "Mobile Tracking Unit" (MTU) is installed on fishing vessel to get the
vessel position from the Global Positioning System (GPS).
Position data (longitude and latitude), route track and vessel speed is sent via through the
Inmarsat satellite system to Department of Fisheries computerised VMS system.

Benefits Of Using VMS

 To assist in managing the vessels of a company's vessel
 Can be used as a communication device
 To assist Department efforts in protecting fisheries resources.

Introduction

A fishing vessel monitoring system (VMS) is a tool for the successful monitoring, control
and surveillance (MCS) of fisheries activities. VMS provides a fishery management agency
Commercial in Confidence
2
[Type text] DRAFT [Type text]

with accurate and timely information about the location and activity of regulated fishing
vessels. A fishing vessel monitoring system (VMS) is a programme of fisheries surveillance,
in which equipment that is installed on fishing vessels provides information about the
vessels’ position and activity. This is different from traditional monitoring methods, such as
using surface and aerial patrols, on-board observers, logbooks or dockside interviews. VMS
programme is comprised of several Components - VMS and each participating vessels must
carry Shipboard equipment - VMS.

This shipboard electronic equipment is installed permanently on board a fishing vessel and
assigned a unique identifier. Most shipboard VMS equipment types use satellite
Communications systems - VMS systems that have an integrated Global Positioning System
(GPS). The system calculates the unit’s position and sends a data report to shore side users.
The standard data report includes the VMS unit’s unique identifier, date, time and position in
latitude and longitude.

The data report is communicated between the shipboard VMS unit and the monitoring
agency’s Fishery monitoring centre - VMS.

The preferred communications medium involves the use of satellite systems because the
geographic coverage is greater. Satellites are not the only option, however – several tracking
applications for land-based vehicles use cellular telephony or high frequency radio. Some of
these other communications systems have similar reliability and security as satellite systems,
and may be of lower cost, but they have less coverage. These other technologies may also
have applications in near shore fisheries and for smaller vessels.

In a satellite-based system, data reports sent from the vessel are transferred to a satellite and
then on to a terrestrial, or “earth”, station. The earth station validates and stores the data, and
makes them available to the monitoring agency. The fishery monitoring centre retrieves the
data and stores them in a database. The identity and location of shipboard VMS units are
presented on a map display, comparing vessel positions with features of interest, such as EEZ
boundaries and regulated fisheries areas.

Information sharing - VMS

A VMS programme may incorporate several types of information that are desirable to
exchange with other agencies, including VMS position information, permit and license
registries, catch certificates and trade documents, electronic fishing logbook information,
customs tariff codes and fish product tracing information. This data exchange can be done
manually by mail, telephone or fax, but is increasingly done automatically.

The laws of many nations, however, stipulate that many types of information may be used
only for the purpose for which it is collected, and only by the agency that collected it. Such
rules may preclude the sharing of VMS data. The Information security - VMS, formatting and
protocol issues for such data exchanges are currently being resolved. Ultimately, standardized
data formats and protocols will result from existing and developing data sets, developed in
coordination with regional fisheries management organizations, national authorities and other
users.

Shipboard equipment - VMS

Commercial in Confidence
3
[Type text] DRAFT [Type text]

The electronic equipment installed on board a vessel is the fundamental requirement for the
vessel to participate in a VMS programme. This equipment typically consists of some
combination of antenna and transceiver, external power source and cabling. Collectively, this
equipment is referred to as the VMS Unit or Automatic Location Communicator (other terms
have also been used). There may also be external Communications systems - VMS or data
input devices, physical Information security - VMS measures, redundant power source, etc.
There are several types of shipboard technologies that serve VMS functions. These
technologies all provide common information in a VMS data report: a unique unit identifier,
the date and time, and the latitude and longitude. It is important to note that the unique
identifier in the data report identifies the shipboard equipment, not the vessel. This distinction
relates directly to developing and following best practices in establishing a reliable vessel
register, and conducting regular audits and inspections to ensure that shipboard units are, in
fact, installed on the proper vessel.

The shipboard unit provides position information in one of two ways. An integrated GPS in
the unit may calculate the position directly and include it in the position report, or the satellite
system may calculate the unit’s position by measuring Doppler shift in the signal sent from
the unit (the change in frequency of the emitted electromagnetic wave when the transmitter
and receiver are in motion relative to each other).

The unit’s course (heading) and speed may be calculated directly and transmitted along with
the position report, or it may be calculated at the fishery monitoring centre software
application, based on the time and distance between position reports. The basic position-
reporting function of this equipment is typically isolated from the vessel operator.

Submitting additional data or messages (e.g. entering and sending a catch log, hail report or
personal message) usually requires an operator. In addition, the equipment usually has a
safety function, allowing the operator to send a distress call through the unit.

The shipboard equipment transmits the basic position reports and ancillary information in
several ways. One-way systems send automatic reports at pre-defined intervals, and they may
also allow the transmission of ancillary information. Two-way systems also send automatic
reports at pre-defined intervals, or the VMS unit may also be “polled” or queried. The option
to poll the unit allows the fishery monitoring centre to request information on demand,
including an updated position report or status of the equipment, and also to change the
reporting interval.

The shipboard equipment most widely used in VMS programmes today includes Argos
transmitters, Inmarsat-C and Inmarsat-D+ transceivers, Qualcomm units (EutelTRACS and
Boatracs), and Orbcomm systems. Most of this equipment includes an integrated GPS for
obtaining positions. The shipboard equipment is designed tobe rugged for use in the marine
environment, and is manufactured by a variety of companies.

Enhancing with remote sensing - VMS

By current definition, a VMS programme monitors fishing vessels that have VMS units
installed. In this context, a limitation of VMS is that vessels without installed VMS units or
vessels with faulty VMS units are not being monitored. In many cases, illegal fishing may be
conducted by these vessels. Remote sensing by imaging satellites and other technologies may
offer partial solutions to this limitation.
Commercial in Confidence
4
[Type text] DRAFT [Type text]

Satellite Remote Sensing

Satellites are used for a variety of commercial and governmental imaging purposes. Imaging
satellites can detect vessels either optically or by synthetic aperture radar (SAR). Satellite
imagery can potentially detect all fishing vessels, i.e. those with shipboard VMS units, those
without VMS units, and those with faulty VMS units. It is important to note the distinction
between detecting vessels and identifying them. Most current satellite imaging technology
does not allow the identification of vessels.

Optical imaging currently offers higher resolution than SAR, and could be used to detect
vessels that are marked with their identification. Many countries follow the guidelines
contained in the FAO the Standard Specifications for the Marking and Identification Vessels,
where a vessel displays its radio call sign on a horizontal surface of the vessel. Optical
imaging is, however, strongly affected by cloud cover and darkness, and comes at a higher
cost, so it is not being widely evaluated for use in fisheries management.

Synthetic aperture radar technology has recently begun to be evaluated for application to
fisheries monitoring.
Early results indicate that SAR imaging may have a role in the future of fisheries monitoring.
For widespread application of remote sensing in vessel characterization, the science and art of
image processing and interpretation need further development, and additional means for
vessel identification are required.

Beyond the current limitations, satellite imaging might be useful for remote monitoring of
areas or fisheries where traditional surveillance methods and VMS are not feasible. Also, the
combined use of a VMS and satellite imaging could be more effective than a VMS alone. The
VMS could identify participating vessels, and managers could focus their interest on vessels
detected, but unidentified, by the satellite imagery.

Radar and Sonar

Other remote surveillance methods could also be useful in combination with VMS
programme. The coverage and effective range of these systems tend to be localized, but radar
(land or sea-based) and sea-based sonar systems have been used for the remote detection of
vessels. As with satellite imaging, these tools may detect vessels, but may not identify them.

Commercial in Confidence
5
[Type text] DRAFT [Type text]

Several agencies and companies have experience with developing satellite detection of
vessels (Note: FAO provides these links as an educational courtesy to readers, and does not
endorse or promote any particular agency or company):
Malaysian MOA - Joint Research Centre (JRC)

Transmitting ancillary information - VMS

Laptop personal computer and shipboard VMS equipment

Most VMS units have the ability to send two types of messages: the basic automated VMS
position report, and free-form messages. The automated VMS report contains information
about the VMS unit’s identity and location at a specific date and time. This report may also
contain information about the vessel’s heading and speed, as well as the status of the
shipboard equipment. The information in this automated report does not require input from
the vessel operator. Indeed, this report is ideally Information security - VMS from external
inputs. If the Shipboard equipment - VMS is connected to a data entry device, such as a
personal computer, it may be used to transmit other types of messages that are created by the
operator. Thus, it can be alternative Communications systems - VMS device for the
transmission of standardized or free-form messages. Examples of such messages include
catch and effort information, hail or status reports to the Fishery monitoring centre - VMS ,
personal communications, marketing arrangements, etc.

The equipment can also facilitate the transmission of information that is neither part of the
automated VMS report, nor a report or message that is entered by the operator. Such
information may include data from onboard sensors that monitor environmental or shipboard

Commercial in Confidence
6
[Type text] DRAFT [Type text]

parameters of interest to the fishery management agency or vessel owner, such as sea depth
and temperature, trawl winch activity, engine performance, etc

Current VMS Short Coming

The current monitoring systems are expensive to install and maintain, placing a financial
burden on vessel owners that many small boat fishermen find prohibitive. MOA is looking
for innovative affordable alternatives that will allow fishermen to comply with the
requirements of regulatory agencies at a lower cost.

NEW INNOVATIVE SOLUTION – Vessel Data Monitoring System (VDMS)

To counter this problem, Company XYZ, a local Malaysia Company is recommending
baseline standards that will regulate the fleet's capacity, including the gross tonnage of a
vessel, gear selectivity, trawler equipment, twine thickness, and so forth. It also recommend
in stabilizing fish stocks by implementing catch quotas by species, creating seasonal closures,
and restricting access to areas where young fish are developing. In addition, the MOA noted
that waters need to be managed within a regulated transparent and sustainable framework so
they are not overfished.
This is easier said than done. Tracking vessels and monitoring catches can be an
overwhelming task. Fortunately, the Malaysia's local Company XYZ, has an effective GIS
fishing industry solution that helps it monitor vessels, gear, catches, seasonal fishing areas,
and more. Its superior performance and cost effectiveness using latest sate of art technology
is far more superior to current VMS.
Company XYZ shall build a geo information system for fisheries. GISDATA developed the
Vessel Monitoring System (VDMS). The Fishery department uses it to identify and track the
country's 40,000 fishing vessels. This information can be used for monitoring boat activity
and as evidence for law enforcement.
The main components of VDMS are the department's centralized database, tracking devices,
and Dugong FMS. Whether at the department, in the harbor office, or on a boat, an inspector
can access the GIS to track a vessel and get information about its owner, type, and gear on
board and a host of other information.
The fishery information system, built to accommodate the Malaysia's fisheries registry
requirements, includes eleven data modules. It is capable of providing additional
information for various other uses:
1. Person-register module contains ID numbers, owner information, and fishing licenses, as
well as vessel information, such as title, registration, length, gear, and equipment. In
accordance with the Malaysia regulation, MOA's fleet register keeps track of the vessel's
entire life cycle from entrance to and exit from the fleet. Every data change for the vessel is
recorded as an event, thereby keeping the entire fleet database current.
2. A catch module includes information that fishers complete on an inquest register, as well
as descriptions of the catch, catching effort, and rejected catch. An analyst can filter the catch
module by date; regional unit; type of sea organism; fishing gear; and vessel type, length,

Commercial in Confidence
7
[Type text] DRAFT [Type text]

strength, and weight. This gives the analyst a good picture of the relationship of fishing
capacity and fishing opportunities.
3. The fish sale module is used to compare catch data with sale data to reveal any
discontinuity.
4. The subsidized diesel module monitors fishing vessels' fuel consumption to gasoline
quota.
5. The aquaculture module contains fishers' preferences for farming freshwater organisms.
6. The marine culture module holds breeding site data.
7. The Sport and recreational sea fishing license
8. Tuna fishing module
9. The Administration module
10. SonarChart Module
11. Surveillance Search and Rescue module – Putra UAV for SSAR operations
VDMS in the Malacca Straits and South China Sea will be used to acquire, send, edit, and
process data. Large vessels 14 meters or longer should have onboard tracking devices that
send vessel data to the database via general packet radio service (GPRS) and SAT (Iridium)
satellites in different time intervals. GPRS/GSM (depending on signal quality and strength)
have been customized to send data every 15 minutes or less (remote control) and over SAT
every two hours.
VDMS collects vessel information in real time, such as location, speed, direction, and even
battery status. Developed on Dugong FMS for Server using the Dugong FMS API for
JavaScript, the system integrates with vessel data stored in the Microsoft SQL Server
database and publishes dynamic content.
Users are then able to review and send detailed data reports about a vessel's position, speed,
type, and so forth. Along with this, basic users can selectively manage and track historical
and up-to-date data through filters and alarms. Alarms are divided into system alarms and
spatial alarms alerting the department of problems in protected, forbidden, or time control
areas. Alarms are automatically transmitted as text messages to inspectors in the field.
Department for Fisheries staff members use a web browser to access GIS web applications to
see this information:
 An overview of the last available position of every vessel
 An overview of archive positions of monitored vessels during certain time periods
 An overview of basic data from the informational system of fisheries—a chosen
vessel's owner, dimensions, and so forth
 Statistical data about vessel movement
The application also gives users tools to perform analysis, such as determine a path or
calculate fuel consumption. They can also choose raster or vector data background layers and
generate reports.

Commercial in Confidence
8
[Type text] DRAFT [Type text]

Staff whose job it is to do complete surveillance and vessel monitoring may want to use
VDMS tools in Dugong FMS for Desktop. GDi GISDATA's Dugong FMS extension, Vessel
Analyst, enables users to generate spatial data from alphanumeric data in the VDMS database
for defined time periods, analyze it, and produce fishing vessel location maps. Depending on
their work requirements, staff members can access VDMS and work with basic GIS tools or
have the full range of GIS functionality in a desktop application to perform analysis. Security
tools allow only authorized users access to the system. These users can perform top-level
content management and build maps using many GIS and cartographic functionalities. The
desktop application enables users to do these tasks:
 Create rich cartographic presentation in arbitrary scales and data layers
 Execute database SQL queries
 Publish configurable reports containing cartographic presentations
 Perform various spatial analyses using intersect, merge, and buffer tools

VDMS is an open system based on standards and is compatible and easy to integrate with
existing GIS environment and informational systems. It supports distributed workflows in the
central office of the Department for Fisheries, county offices, and fishing vessel business
offices.
MOA can now use the system to study the impact of aquacultures on the environment. And in
the event of a storm, responders can alert vessels and rescue vessels in distress.

DUGONG FLEET MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

Sensor fusion deals with the merging of several signals into one, extracting a better and more
reliable result. Traditionally the Kalman Filter is used for this purpose and the vessel
navigation has benefited tremendously from its use. This equipment includes the fusion of
four sensors systems, the GPS positioning system, Gyros, Accelerometers and
Magnetometers. The device known as Vessel Data Monitoring System (VDMS)
communications infrastructure used is a GPRS/ICS (Internet Communications Services)
which provides low cost telemetry system to vessel operators.

The device commercially named as Dugong VDMS provides multiple solutions for global
vessel following and vessel data transfer between the vessel and the ground. The Dugong
solutions include Automatic Vessel Following (AVF) capabilities so that it can track the
location and status of a vessel. The present capabilities are:
 Observe all vessel at all times on one screen
 View live or historical data from anywhere with web access
 Off and On times can be captured automatically
 Data updates as often as once per minute for slow vessel and as many as required for
fast jets.
 Location and status data can be automatically linked to other applications
 Configure or ‘ping’ your device remotely

Vessel following data is viewable in Dugong Fleet Management Website. Users are able to
monitor their fleet, configure their systems and generate various vessel reports all from a

Commercial in Confidence
9
[Type text] DRAFT [Type text]

single web-based interface. Dugong Fleet Management Website provides the ability to
monitor fleets. Hence it can complement the Black Box by downloading limited vessel data
to ground and assist in Search and Rescue (SAR) mission. Current Dugong development is
towards using the SATCOM/GPRS/ICS which ensures secured connectivity at all time and
optimization of operating cost. The Dugong VDMS is a derivative of UPM/Worldgate SB
Starfish Flight Data Monitoring/Tracking System.

Introduction to Dugong VDMS

The VDMS is a device of transmitting data automatically using satellite links to send critical
safety information from a vessel to the ground (shore). VDMS is the systematic, pro-active
use of digital vessel data from routine operations to improve sustainable marine resource
management and vessel safety within intrinsically non-punitive and just Safety Culture.

The Vessel Data Monitoring (VDMS) System is a high performance airborne GPS/IMU main
tracking unit (MTU) that can be used in all sorts of GPS/IMU tracking and recording of
Vessel Data applications. This can range from private fishing vesel to military and
commercial vessel. The communications infrastructure used by Dugong is a GPRS/ICS
(Internet Communications Services) which provides low cost telemetry system to vessel
operators. With High-speed broadband enabled capability for multi tasking.

The Dugong VDMS is a derivation of Starship Flight Data Monitoring System (FDM).
The collaborative research between Worldgate Technologies (WGT) a land base vehicle
tracking provider and University Putra Malaysia (UPM) has extended the use of the MTU
from land base vehicle to airborne vehicles and hence it exposes to multitudes of military and
civil aviation applications. This collaboration with Company XYZ further extends the MTU
for vessel applications and marine resource management.
The Main Tracking Unit (MTU figure 1), is a unique device that enables multi-tasking
application such as:

 Vessel Data Monitoring System

 Fleet Management
 Military Application e.g. Network Centric Warfare

Figure 1 - Dugong Main Tracking Unit (MTU) that is carried in the aircraft

Commercial in Confidence
10
[Type text] DRAFT [Type text]

The MTU is designed with features such as built-in GPS position sensor, inertia sensor, gyro
sensor and magnetometer, pressure sensors along with multiple digital, serial and discrete
input/outputs. The research and development (R&D) is still in progress and it provides a
platform for further research in other disciplines.
The MTU had been tested in UPM’s Cirrus SR20 aircraft (figure 2) and had been modified
several times to achieve better performance. Present weakness is lost of GPRS coverage as
aircraft gain height and far from Telco coverage. Hence it was decided to use Iridium 9602
Short Burst Data modem for better connectivity in remote areas and off shores.

Figure 2- The cockpit of Cirrus SR20 aircraft fitted with VDMSS during trials
MTU Specifications include the following:
Hardware Features:
Vessel Motion and Location Sensors (Already available)
 Tri-Axis angular rate sensor (gyro)
 Tri-Axis accelerometer with a programmable full scale range of ±2g, ±4g, ±8g and
±16g
 Reduced settling effects and sensor drift by elimination of board-level cross-axis
alignment errors between accelerometers and gyroscopes
 Full Chip Idle Mode Supply Current: 5µA
 On-chip timing generator with ±1% frequency variation over full temperature range
 User self test
 10,000g shock tolerant

Network Features

 Only truly global solution

 Low-latency data links
 Single global agreement
 Optimal for 270 character mobile
 Terminated, 340 character mobile

Iridium Devices (Advance stage of testing)

 Iridium 9602 Short Burst Data modem

Commercial in Confidence
11
[Type text] DRAFT [Type text]

The MTU can be further customized to satisfy the MOA VMS requirements with minimum
cost to provide tracking and vessel motion data. The motion data can be extracted to provide
data on the sea surface conditions.

To fulfil MOA requirements for Fish Detection and Capturing seabed information (Survey)
the following system are proposed:
Fish Finder Features Sonar (to be integrated to telemetry system)
Revolutionize Fish Finder system using CHIRP Transducers.

 New fish finder technology called CHIRP (compressed high-intensity radar

pulse)—also known as Broadband, Spread Spectrum, and Frequency Modulation.
 Exact detection - certain fish species can be identified at depths never before available
in other fish finder
 The key feature of CHIRP - uses much longer-duration “chirps,” with each chirp
sweeping across a wide range of frequencies. The long chirps put as much as 1,000
times the energy into the water when compared to a conventional fish finder. They
also produce clearer pictures in deeper water and at higher speeds using transducer
designed to resonate across a wide range of frequencies
 A multifrequency chirping sonar requires at least two separate ceramics: one to handle
the high frequencies from about 130 to 210kHz, while another—which is more often
an array of several matched ceramics—to handle low frequencies of 42 to 65kHz.
 One of the challenges with CHIRP is overheating. It impedance —its tendency to
oppose the flow of electricity—varies depending on the frequency at which it’s
operating. If the impedance drops, more power flows through the transducer, making
it more likely to overheat and more likely, in the long term, to degrade the
piezoelectric characteristics of the ceramic. But matching the sonar to the changing
impedance of a CHIRP transducer calls for some far more sophisticated technologies
within the transducer itself, including the ability to communicate technical data about
the transducer back to the sonar that is pumping power into it.
 Another considerable challenge thrown down by the long chirps is the fact that the
transducers have less time to cool than their predecessors. The pulses of conventional
sonar are so short that a conventional transducer spends less than one percent of its
time actually transmitting, compared with about ten percent for a CHIRP transducer.
More power flowing for a longer duration makes more heat, which somehow has to
be dissipated. For a product that is surrounded by sea water, getting rid of heat
shouldn’t be a problem.
 Dual-channel CHIRP sonar shoots high-resolution structure images in Down Vision
mode, using a 60- by 1.4-degree fan beam. Meanwhile a conical, 25-degree beam of
CHIRP signals describe targets throughout the water column. Both systems are
effective to depths of 600 feet. A combination sonar and GPS chartplotter provides
the power of CHIRP sonar with photo-like DownVision underwater imagery.

SonarChart (to be integrated)

 SonarCharts use sonar logs from users, along with data from the hydrographic office
and proprietary surveys to add detail to a layer of cartography. Building on MOA’s
Commercial in Confidence
12
[Type text] DRAFT [Type text]

Community Layer of user-generated content, in which users can edit and update
cartography on a data layer, SonarCharts allow soundings collected from user boats to
upload data to a server, where it is added to the SonarCharts layer within 24 hours.

 SonarCharts are part of MOA Freshest Data program, which provides downloadable
updates to cartography with the help of airborne laser and sonar surveys, satellite
imagery, and user-generated content (viewable on select plotters and mobile devices).

 All VDMS Dugong users with a GPS chartplotter and sounder can contribute content
to SonarCharts by uploading their sonar logs through the VDMS Fleet Management
Website.

 Vessel operators can look at SonarCharts’s added depth contours on compatible GPS
chartplotters, web apps, and iPhone and iPad apps.
These additional features and VDMS need further R&D which can be easily archived locally.

Dugong VDMS/Tracker Systems

This is for corporations with a fleet of vessel that needs to be managed such as fishing vessels
and off shore helicopters fleets. Here, the tracking capabilities of Dugong is enhanced with
the help of extra functions and complemented with a powerful software at the control centre
in order to achieve a high degree of control of the fleet (Figure 3)

Figure 3 - Dugong data management service provides a reliable and cost effective solution
for processing telemetric and geo-positioning data, collected and distributed by Dugong
devices operating on-board aircraft.

Commercial in Confidence
13
[Type text] DRAFT [Type text]

Dugong VDMS is a sophisticated matching between the GPS/IMU and GSM

communications, in particular, GPRS, which allows Dugong to deliver real time data over the
Internet while being on the move. The GPRS while being of higher capacity with faster data
speeds and cheaper than SMS, makes the Dugong an excellent means for Fleet Management
Applications (Figure 4)

Figure 4 Resources for Database Construction

Although GPS, being a Satellite System is available all over the world, GSM Communication
is only available where the infrastructure exists. Future Dugong shall fills this void with
the Iridium satellite constellation providing voice and data coverage that allows data transfer
anywhere in the world. Best of all Dugong has began developing both GSM and Iridium
coexisting and switching between one or the other, automatically (figure 5)

Figure 5 – Dugong MTU with Iridium 9602 Short Burst Data modem

Broadcasting data back is just part of the solution. The powerful computer servers that sit at
Malaysia’s Internet backbone makes the solution complete. Dugong is completely Internet
based using Php web applications. Accountable Managers can access maps, reports and
analysis tools over the World-Wide-Web. This translates into minimal capital expenditure as
all that is needed to start managing is a PC and the Internet. With its arsenal of tools and

Commercial in Confidence
14
[Type text] DRAFT [Type text]

reports, any accountable manager will immediately find the confidence to manage and be in
control. The servers will highlight any out of bounds conditions like speed limits so that
action can be taken to prevent mishaps.

Having all the data available, accountable managers can perform analysis, forensic and fraud
investigation easily over the internet. Should the suite of functions be insufficient, data can be
downloaded and special programs written to do the work.

Accountable manager don’t have to worry where their vessel are located at any time.
Managing the fleet more effectively, reducing cost and improving margins of safety are what
Dugong and Fleet Management Systems are all about.

POTENTIAL APPLICATION

Vessel data monitoring (VDMS) is generally considered to be a systematic method of

accessing, recording, analyzing, and acting upon information obtained from vessel data to
identify operational and/or maintenance risks, before they can lead to incidents and accidents.
The term “vessel data monitoring” incorporates a variety of systems that continue to evolve
to meet the unique needs of each industry sector.
All VDMS aim to improve aviation safety, but the systems do differ when it comes to their
specific areas of focus. VDMS may assist SAR mission by continuously downloading vessel
data and enable to track the last ‘ping’ location.
Current lightweight VDMS hardware products are available with features such as built-in
GPS position sensor, inertia sensor, attitude sensor, temperature sensor and magnetometer,
along with multiple digital, serial and discrete input/outputs. If interfaced to a satellite
communications transceiver, the details of an exceedence can be transmitted to management
immediately after the occurrence. Some VDMS also utilize audio and video inputs to record
all vessel deck activity, including instrument indications.
VDMS equipment thou not designed to be crashworthy, downloads data to ground thereby
providing accident investigators with valuable data they wouldn’t otherwise have. The
advantage of the Dugong MTU is that the data is kept in the server and it can be retrieved and
processed as required. It is recommended of making tracking of all vessels a mandatory
requirement as part of its Safety Management System.
Dugong VDMS/Tracker provides live vessel tracking for these major airports in 3D using
Google Earth. Figure 3 is another real-time screen capture from MTU Playback. This screen
capture depicts vessel in coastal areas of Sekinchan. The Dugong Fleet Management System
provides live vessel tracking for all seas and oceans in 3D using Google Earth.
CONCLUSION

VDMS provides a Cost Effective solution for many of the problems facing marine resource
management. VDMS brings an increased level of safety and sophistication to Aviation. Long
considered a best practice of fishery resource management around the world – technology
now makes VDMS practical in smaller vessel. Dugong VDMS may compliment the present
MOA VMS by telemetry essential vessel data to the ground and hence assist in managing
marine resources and possible SAR mission. A properly implemented and operated VDMS
Commercial in Confidence
15
[Type text] DRAFT [Type text]

can help curb increasing maintenance and fuel costs while increasing safety. Operators using
VDMS programs should have a competitive economic edge in the fishery marketplace.

MOA VMS REQUIREMENTS

Malaysia has been warned by MALAYSIA that we need to have a Sustainable Fishing
Blueprint/Policy or else MALAYSIA will stop buying our marine produce. Malaysia exports
of marine produce are in excess of RM1 billion a year.

Malaysian government also provides hundred millions of ringgit of subsidized diesel for the
boats/flights. Instead, flight operators were profiting from the sale of the fuel to buyers from
neighbouring countries.

The Fishery department has tried to get the flight owners/operators to install a satellite based
system to track the boats/flights with not much success (http://www.dof.gov.my/en/flight-
monitoring-system-VMS-).

Regulatory agencies require all commercial fishing flights to carry sophisticated and
expensive flight monitoring systems (VDMS) to ensure they are meeting national and
international regulations related to territorial seas, fisheries management and environmental
protections. Current monitoring systems are expensive to install and maintain, placing a
financial burden on flight owners that many small boat fishermen find prohibitive.

We are looking for innovative affordable alternatives that will allow fishermen to comply
with the requirements of regulatory agencies at a lower cost. Statistics of boats/flights can be
found here (refer to page 6 and 7 of the link).

http://www.dof.gov.my/en/c/document_library/get_file?uuid=3574c40e-fa8a-4654-9135-
50caeff7d340&groupId=558715

At present, there are more than 40,000 flights in the country, with various types. But the
common one (majority) is as follows although we do have the modern type fishing flights.

Commercial in Confidence
16
[Type text] DRAFT [Type text]

Recently, the Minister of Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry has given the approval for my
company to submit a detail proposal with cost and implementation plan to provide
alternatives to VDMS. This project will be fully funded by the Malaysia government.

An Alternative to Flight Monitoring Systems

Flight Data Monitoring Systems (VDMS) are satellite surveillance systems used to monitor
the location and movement of commercial fishing flights. They are highly accurate and allow
regulatory agencies to track flight position in relation to sensitive ecological areas, as well
monitor flight arrival in ports for sampling and supporting national security efforts.

However, these systems are costly to install, maintain and service. A single VDMS system
typically costs several thousands of dollars to purchase 
and install on a flight not including
monthly transmission fees. For larger commercial fishing fleets, these costs may be
affordable, but for small and mid-sized fishing operations, these costs are a steep financial
burden.

Criteria for viable alternatives required the units to cost less than standard VDMS systems
and be capable of logging each flight’s position at least once every 30 minutes at sea. In
addition to these requirements, alternative data loggers needed to be tamper resistant, water
and weather-proof, and capable of transferring data directly via USB or over wireless or
cellular networks or VHF digital radio.

When not in range of cellular or wireless or VHF radio networks, the devices needed to be
able to store all the GPS information for later transfer. GPS coordinates will be captured in an
interval of 10 minutes.

A fishing trip can last 2-4 weeks for the smaller boats and a few months for the modern
flights. Data logger must also be able to capture other marine parameters ie sea
condition/state, etc.

1. The GPS Data Logger must not use the boat power system (for the majority of the boats -
the wooden type). It must come with its own power source ie solar battery etc that will last
the entire fishing trip - 2-4 weeks.

2. It must be tamper proof.

3. It must have enough storage to store all GPS coordinates/date taken at every 5 minutes
interval.

4. The data logger also must be able to auto upload data to the base station once the
boat/flight is in the vicinity of the fishery authority jetty. It will also upload information on
the status of the data logger, battery power level, etc.

5. Fishery authority will be able to communicate with the unit for data download etc.

6. Data logger auto on-off via Fishery base station computer system.

7. The unit will also act as EPIRB (emergency notification)

Commercial in Confidence
17
[Type text] DRAFT [Type text]

8. Other areas to be captured by data logger (consideration) :

a. Capturing seabed information (Survey)
b. Electro Sonic Fish Finder
c. Capturing sea condition
d. Others in US, they use it to locate submarines.

Commercial in Confidence
18