Vessel Monitoring System

The Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) is an automated satellite- based monitoring system for fishing vessels. A blue box is to be installed on the ships. This automatically sends the data via satellite to the monitoring center.

The monitoring authorities to check in this way in each case whether the vessel is present in an assigned area of ​​catch. The reportable port stays of the ship can be evaluated.

The position determines the ship from the reception of GPS signals. Depending on the system, the blue box transmits the data to a geostationary satellite system, such as the Inmarsat -C. It differs from the Automatic Identification System, which is conceived as collision protection and monitoring system near the coast.

Since 1998, fishing vessels with a length of more than 24 meters are equipped with a Vessel Monitoring System.