National-scale AIS Network in Latvia

In 2005 Transas successfully commissioned the first Transas national-scale AIS Network for the Ministry of Transport and Communications of Republic of Latvia. The Latvian AIS Network is a national shore-based AIS system that forms part of the united monitoring system of the Baltic States, in accordance with the HELCOM Copenhagen Declaration signed on the 10th of September 2001.

The Latvian AIS Network is based on the existing GMDSS structure. It includes eight remote AIS sites with Transas AIS Base Stations T211 covering both Latvian internal waterways and entrances to territorial water.

Main functions

The primary task of the Latvian AIS network is to provide competent authorities with a monitoring tool to manage/reduce risks enhance supervision, generate statistics, and assist search and rescue (SAR), port state control, security and other safety-related tasks to ensure safe navigation in the Latvian coastal area and the Gulf of Riga.

Whilst greatly improving risk management, the system will also facilitate new measures to prevent collisions and improve navigational safety in the Baltic Sea. AIS coastal network in Latvia allows a more effective response to marine accidents and incidents – particularly those involving ships with dangerous and polluting cargoes on board. Information from the AIS system gives additional help to VTS to monitor traffic, and to Port State Control to select ships for inspection.

The supplied system includes:

• Eight remote AIS sites with Transas AIS base station
• One control centre in Riga, including two AIS system manager computer and four redundant servers:
  • AIS Internet/web client server
  • AIS communication server (cluster)
  • AIS database server (cluster)
  • AIS data exchange server
• Four microwave communication links
• Ten remote clients
• Communication equipment.