C-Scope Maritime Domain Awareness System

Overview

It is imperative that HM Coastguard (HMCG) retains the ability to monitor vessel activity from a safety perspective, not only does the Vessel Traffic Management service, which incorporates the VTS at Dover and national Vessel Traffic Monitoring improve safety and efficiency of vessel traffic, it also allows interaction with vessels to respond to certain traffic situations, provides the ability to review potential pollution reports and enables monitoring of vessels of interest, vessels in distress and with additional monitoring requirements such as defects. As such, until future strategic consideration is given and agreed regarding potential new technology solutions, the existing services must be kept in place in the meantime. This piece of work allows HMCG to sustain these essential services until such a time a new solution is sought in line with a technical transformation programme. The current support service with KNC expires on 31st March 2025. This service provides C-Scope software to enable HMCG to carry out the Vessel Traffic Management function as required by the IMO through monitoring and reporting of vessels. This function includes the Vessel Traffic Service (VTS), which is part of the operation at Dover (comprising Channel Navigation and Sunk VTS), and provides a National AIS Infrastructure for Vessel Traffic Monitoring (VTM) services at the Joint Rescue Co-ordination Centre (JRCC) and Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centres (MRCC). This awarded contract will see this business critical service renewed for a further 3 years until 31st March 2028 with an option to extend this support for a further year if required.