The UK Marine Management Organisation (MMO) has provided type approval for Marine Instruments’ i-VMS system after it has met all the technical requirements set by the British government.
The equipment is similar to the VMS systems currently used in all vessels over 12 metres under European regulations. Unlike systems for larger vessels, the inshore VMS relies on GSM technology instead of satellite communications, providing a cost-effective option more suitable for inshore fishing vessels, enabling the authorities to track the boat’s position at all times.
The system is available in the UK through Echomaster Marine.
Since March 2016, Watching Man Pro has been in successful operation in Spain on 107 inshore boats after having won a Galician regional government tender aimed at monitoring fishing activities in the Os Miñarzos marine protected area in the A Coruña region.
“The Os Miñarzos MPA was established in 2009 following the Prestige disaster and was an initiative by the local fishermen’s association,” said Ainhoa Alvarez-Borras at Marine Instruments.
The installation of the systems allowed the local government to protect and help the conservation of fishing resources and to promote artisanal fisheries in the area.
“Once the system is installed, the authorities have access to an online platform to check all boats, track their exact course and position, and time spent in the area,” she said. “This applies to inshore boats of between 5 and 16 metres in length, many of them are older wooden boats catching a variety of fish and shellfish.”
“Watching Man Pro also has a warning function, with both sound and a light alerts. When a boat enters a marine protected area, a red light flashes and an alarm will sound for ten seconds. This is a system designed for marine conditions and is IP68 certified. It also has the option of adding wireless sensors for door, bilge or engine temperature alarms.”
She explained that Galicia in the north-west of Spain represents a third of the total Spanish coastline and the strong upwelling along the coast brings nutrients and fish, resulting in intensive fishing in the region.
“Medium to large fishing vessels are tracked by the official Blue Box vessel monitoring system (VMS). Now the goal is trying to manage artisanal fishing activities. The regional government of Galicia, through a public tender process in the third quarter of 2015 awarded Marine Instruments a pilot project for the Os Miñarzos MPA,” Ainhoa Alvarez-Borras said.
