Arkhangelsk Branch News

Remote control center for Sabetta sea areas A1 and A2 GMDSS and NAVTEX coast stations put into pilot operation in Arkhangelsk

In December 2021 the Arkhangelsk Branch of FSUE "Rosmorport" successfully completed research work (R&D) on the creation of remote control center for Sabetta sea areas A1 and A2 GMDSS and NAVTEX coast stations.

As a result, the remote control center for Arkhangelsk sea areas A1 and A2 GMDSS and NAVTEX coast stations has been equipped with additional automated workstations for the operators of Sabetta of the corresponding sea areas A1 and A2 GMDSS and NAVTEX coast stations, and secure satellite and terrestrial communication channels between the control centers for coast stations in the seaports of Arkhangelsk and Sabetta have been organized there.

One of the results of the R&D is the collected statistical data that allows to assess the organization of remote control of the Sabetta coast stations. Thus, data was obtained on delays in various communication channels, on the type and number of errors during data packets transmission and their impact on voice transmission and equipment control of the Sabetta coast stations. The most suitable settings for the equipment were determined, the quality and intelligibility of speech were assessed using various methods, and real communication sessions with vessels located in the areas of operation of Sabetta sea areas A1 and A2 GMDSS and NAVTEX coast stations were organized directly from the communication control center in the seaport of Arkhangelsk.

Today, both in Russia and in other countries, it is a generally accepted practice when communication between the communication control center and the GMDSS coast radio station is organized through its own secure communication channels. However, during the research work, the possibility of using Internet channels provided by terrestrial and satellite communication providers for the transmission of telemetry signals, control and radio communications, using information security means, was observed.

The experiment showed the possibility of using both satellite and mixed terrestrial Internet communication channels to connect communication control centers and coast radio stations, under strict condition of organizing protection for such channels using firmware systems that have certificates of compliance with the Federal Security Service of Russia and the Federal Service for Technical and Export Control of Russia.

The R&D results may be used in future for the design and creation of remote regional and federal control centers for GMDSS and NAVTEX coast stations in various Russian seaports. The experience gained will also be used for the possible organization of communication between the VTS control centers and automated radio technical posts located in hard-to-reach areas.