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Draft:SeaVision

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SeaVision
US Department of Transportation SeaVision Logo
Type of site
Government
Founded2012
Headquarters
Cambridge, MA
,
USA
Country of originUSA
Created byU.S. Department of Transportation
URLhttps://info.seavision.volpe.dot.gov/
Launched2012
Current statusActive

SeaVision is a U.S. Department of Transportation hosted web-based maritime situational awareness tool designed to enhance maritime operations, security, and community partnerships. It allows users to view and share a wide range of maritime information and provides rules-based analytics to monitor and alert users of specified activities or events. SeaVision is a cost-effective visualization and management tool that can quickly integrate and correlate multiple data sources to support various mission requirements.[1]

SeaVision Background

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SeaVision was originally developed in 2012[2] by Brendon Providence of the U.S. Department of Transportation's John A. Volpe Center for U.S. Naval Forces Africa (NAVAF)[3] as a Maritime Domain Awareness tool, and later co-developed by Naval Information Warfare Center Pacific (NIWC-PAC)[4]. It has evolved into a globally used multinational information sharing tool.

SeaVision is the primary tool used by the Volpe Center to support NAVAF. NAVAF hosts four maritime domain awareness exercises where Volpe provides technical support and help these countries analyze SeaVision data.[5]

Since its initial release, SeaVision has been continuously developed and improved based on user requirements, technology updates, and extensive AIS system repairs. According to Henry Wychorski, an electronics engineer at Volpe, the project achieved a milestone in 2018, with 20 African nations contributing their own data to the system.[5]

The biggest multi-national exercise that involved SeaVision was Obangame Express held in March 2017. Additionally, in the annual Southeast Asia Cooperation and Training (SEACAT) 2018 exercise hosted in Singapore, SeaVision was used as the primary tool.[6]

As of January 2024, Artificial intelligence algorithms have been developed to process Search and Rescue data and are now a key part of SeaVision.[7]

In March 2024, Planet Labs Federal, a subsidiary of Planet Labs, was awarded a contract by NIWC-PAC to integrate both Planet’s SkySat data and PlanetScope data into SeaVision.[8]

SeaVision Capabilities

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SeaVision is a maritime tool that enables users to see ships on a map and view the movement history of those ships.[5] It is a web-based maritime visualization and information management tool that provides unclassified data in near real-time through a shared data network. Although used globally, it is restricted to the U.S. Department of Navy and approved coalition partners. SeaVision integrates various detection systems like coastal radar and satellite imaging to enable alerts on vessels of interest (VOIs). The system supports browsers like Firefox and Internet Explorer 11 and allows users to perform risk assessments, set automated rules, generate alerts, and highlight anomalies.[3]

SeaVision access is only granted to nations that are willing to provide data to SeaVision. Software like SeaVision can aid marine vessels in sharing data. SeaVision eliminates certain limitations for its users, such as expensive subscription requirements and extended storage/bandwidth requirements. [6]

SeaVision integrates data from various government and commercial sources to enhance maritime situational awareness. It provides near real-time information through the Maritime Safety and Security Information System (MSSIS), which shares Automatic Identification System (AIS) data among international partners. Additional data sources include NASA and NOAA’s satellite systems for nighttime visibility, coastal radar networks, and Satellite Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAT-SAR).[3]

SeaVision can also incorporate commercial datasets such as Satellite Terrestrial AIS, which offers global vessel activity and detailed vessel information, along with Maritime Risk and Port Risk datasets for monitoring security incidents and port intelligence. The tool can track vessels, monitor Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs), and analyze risk scores from Fairplay’s World Registry of Ships.[3]

SeaVision integrates Global Fishing Watch data, providing insight into maritime vessel encounters and loitering in near real time, across global waters.[9]

SeaVision’s unclassified structure allows data import/export and offers advanced features like custom alerts, historical tracking, and vessel identification. It’s used globally by various U.S. agencies and partner nations, and supports maritime safety and security efforts, particularly in regions like West Africa.[3]

SeaVision Impact

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SeaVision is used by military and non-military organizations. Countries like Kenya have local government agencies using SeaVision to build a broader view for MDA.[10]

Kiruja Micheni, and project manager for the Djibouti Code of Conduct with the International Maritime Organization (IMO), highlighted the success of SeaVision and exercises like Cutlass Express in fostering a network that connects practitioners and countries, allowing for the sharing of experiences and best practices. This collaboration enhances the capability of partner nations to address maritime security threats by linking different regional centers.[10]

SeaVision Development and Releases

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SeaVision aims to provide continuous and iterative enhancements to ensure a more reliable application that is updated quickly and frequently. This includes:

  • Incremental Releases: Delivered quarterly, introducing new features, functionality, and enhancements based on user requirements.
  • Micro Releases: Deployed as needed to address critical bug fixes.[11]


References

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  1. ^ "SeaVision: a maritime situational awareness tool". info.seavision.volpe.dot.gov. Retrieved 2024-10-09.
  2. ^ "SeaVision: Improving Maritime Domain Awareness During Cutlass Express". U.S. Naval Forces Europe and Africa / U.S. Sixth Fleet. Retrieved 2024-10-09.
  3. ^ a b c d e Ng, Soon Hee Samuel; Mosley, Vincent A. (March 2019). "DATA STRATEGY AND DATA DESIGN FOR UNCLASSIFIED MARITIME DOMAIN AWARENESS" (PDF). DTIC - Defense Technical Information Center.
  4. ^ "U.S. DOT and NIWC-PAC Host SeaVision Training for Exercise Cutlass Express 2023 Participan". United States Navy. Retrieved 2024-10-09.
  5. ^ a b c "SeaVision Improves Africa's Maritime Picture". May 15, 2018.
  6. ^ a b Sipes, Coey J. (March 2018). "MARITIME DOMAIN AWARENESS IN THE SOUTH CHINA SEA: AN OPERATIONAL PICTURE DESIGN" (PDF). Defense Technical Information Center.
  7. ^ "Will 2024 be a turning point for IUU fishing?". Brookings. Retrieved 2024-10-09.
  8. ^ Weltman, Abbey (2024-03-06). "Planet Wins Contract from Naval Information Warfare Center for Vessel Detection". Via Satellite. Retrieved 2024-10-09.
  9. ^ "Our Apis - Explore and visualize ocean data". Global Fishing Watch. Retrieved 2024-10-09.
  10. ^ a b "SeaVision: Improving Maritime Domain Awareness During Cutlass Express". United States Navy. Retrieved 2024-10-09.
  11. ^ "SeaVision - Releases". info.seavision.volpe.dot.gov. Retrieved 2024-10-09.