Safety and Tracking Initiative for Small Vessels (OASIS-TU/MSIS-TU)

Loss of life from small boats at sea, particularly fishing vessels, is a persistent and extensive global problem. Small-scale fisheries are also under threat in many areas of the world from global warming and over / illegal fishing and small vessels can often be involved in other types of illegal activities such as smuggling of people, arms, drugs and resources. exactTrax supports the real-time, highly cost-effective, satellite tracking of small vessels equipped with simple-to-deploy transponders using satellite AIS (S-AIS) data services. Regular position information and transmitted alert information can be detected in real-time by exactEarth’s satellite AIS constellation, terrestrial AIS networks (if available), and any neighbouring ship equipped with an AIS transceiver. Satellite detection rates remain good in areas of the world where shipping densities and/or the terrestrial radio noise floor are high. exactTrax benefits key users such as government actors in maritime safety or commercial operators through i) improved safety of life for small boat operators and crew, regardless of whether operating inshore or offshore/open ocean, ii) improved small-scale/artisanal fisheries management, and iii) improved maritime awareness / maritime security via small vessel tracking.