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Marine Traffic Control
During the 1950's and 1960's the number of vessels
and the volume of cargo tonnage shipped through the
Canal steadily increased. To keep pace with increased
waterway usage and to save on personnel costs, the Corps
of Engineers designed and installed an integrated ship
traffic control system in the early 1970's. The system
utilized limited radar and complete closed circuit television
surveillance to monitor the channel from towers which
were strategically positioned along the waterway. The
radar and television images were relayed to a central
control console in Buzzards Bay from which a Marine
Traffic Controller was able to monitor all ship traffic
in the Canal. Using a multichannel marine band radio,
the controller was able to communicate directly with
ships transiting the waterway.
The modern Marine Traffic Control System
is an advanced display and decision support system.
The system integrates radars, closed circuit television
cameras, VHF radio, tide elevation and sensors for wind
speed, air and water temperature. Automatic processing
of all data collection presents a complete picture of
vessels and conditions in the canal to support management
of the 17.4 mile waterway. Data on vessel movements
and communication are recorded for playback.
The system allows the Marine Traffic
Controller on duty to manage the busy waterway and
pay maximum attention to important operational duties.
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