Seismic Streamers Displayed Over AIS

Kongsberg Seatex has developed a solution to display the size and shape of seismic streamers over standard AIS. With this information available to all vessels in the survey area, this development has the potential to enhance safety and streamline operations. 

Seismic operations in areas of high shipping activity can be a challenge as a seismic survey vessel has restricted manoeuvrability due to the large size of a 3D/4D streamer spread - typically 6 to 12 kilometres in length and up to about one kilometer in width. Traditionally, chase or guard boats are employed to contact conflicting vessels in order to secure the operation.

 

Kongsberg Seatex has developed an AIS solution to address this challenge. By utilising AIS technology, the vessel can broadcast its coordinates in the area where the vessel actually operates, together with the size and shape of the actual streamer spread. A key element in this concept is that only AIS standard compliant functions are utilised so that the vessel and spread will be visible on AIS-compatible ECDIS displays aboard surrounding vessels.