ISIDEFrom AIS communications to Internet integration.

Clear communications for safer navigation

ISIDE addresses risks arising from ambiguous communications between vessels and shore. The project develops communication models and ICT tools to support commercial and recreational navigation, port manoeuvres and emergency management.

The ISIDE system: structured messages and AIS

The software supports guided message composition using Standard Marine Communication Phrases (SMCP), with transmission through AIS, the Automatic Identification System. Its interface can be used on computers, tablets and smartphones; the system also includes a smartwatch application.

ISIDE 2.0: AIS and the Internet in one platform

Presented in 2023 as part of “ISIDE – Spese Coerenti”, the ISIDE 2.0 extension brings messaging to vessels with Internet access, including those without AIS equipment or an MMSI identifier, with a particular focus on recreational boaters.

• A gateway for exchanging text messages between AIS and the Internet.
• A publish-subscribe server with vessel registration and identification.
• Applications for mobile and wearable devices, with scope for integrating notices, weather information and assistance services.

Trials at sea

During 2022, the ISIDE system was trialled in the ports of Genoa, Cagliari, Livorno, Toulon and Bastia. Activities included search and rescue exercises, simulated emergencies and trials on board commercial and recreational vessels.

• Genoa: 4–5 April 2022.
• Cagliari: 5 May 2022.
• Livorno: 12–13 May 2022.
• Toulon: 9–10 June 2022.
• Bastia: 12 July 2022.

M3S’s contribution

M3S built three physical prototypes of the onboard units connected to AIS and developed all the software, including AIS integration, the user interface and applications for the web, smartphones and smartwatches.

For the ISIDE 2.0 extension, M3S also developed the gateway for exchanging messages between AIS and the Internet, as well as the publish-subscribe server.

Following the 2022 trials, M3S/SIIT demonstrated the ISIDE app on board vessels and its use on mobile devices and smartwatches at the final “ISIDE – Spese Coerenti” event in Genoa on 13 December 2023.

The Italian–French partnership

The Interreg portal lists eight partners: the University of Cagliari – UNICA-CIREM; SIIT; the Italian Coast Guard General Command; the Northern Tyrrhenian Sea Port Authority; the Sardinian Sea Port Authority; NAVIGO; the Bastia and Upper Corsica Chamber of Commerce; and the Var Chamber of Commerce.

Resources