is a multifunctional communications server for improving the coordination between fishing fleets and their shore base or bases. It is designed to optimize the flow of information between the fleet and various shoreside managers. Distribution of a message to a specific recipient on the shore-side network can occur almost instantly depending upon what sort of fleet to shore network is implemented.  Each terminal provides complete access to ship-shore communications. Remote plants or headquarters can be updated over the Internet. Information is generally received at the shore-side server digitally via satellite e-mail.

SHORE BASE increases the productivity of a fishing fleet through getting better information to shore-side managers faster and more directly, thereby enabling them to work more productively both individually and as a better informed team.

Fleet positioning information is displayed graphically, with the vessel icon occupying the latitude and longitude indicated on the background chart. Sovereign Nautical Charts, Marimsys Bathymetric Charts or Marimsys SIRS Satellite Temperature Charts can be used as the chart background - depending upon the type of fishing, and the amount of direction given the fleet from the shore.  Click on the Marimsys SERVER thumbnail 

to view the fleet status window, with this window in the SHORE BASE program (not the screen copy brought up by the thumbnail) you see fleet disposition and vessel status (going out, fishing, returning etc.).  To obtain the status of vessels within the fleet, you click on the icon for an individual ship in the fleet status window  and the individual ship Status and Communications screen appears. This window  immediately shows vessel position, ETA, fuel and fish aboard and the last communication. Clicks on the icons on the bottom of the window provide detailed information such as maintenance communications, supply lists, species and quantities of catch, licensing and expiration information

for lifeboat and radio, and detailed crew information, etc. The program maintains an MS Access database for long term reference.  Communications covering months to and from a ship or fleet communication regarding maintenance problems can be printed out by subject and date, helping to fix responsibility for lapses in getting the fleet unloaded re-supplied and back out fishing. Messages are not "lost", "left on a desk", or postponed in delivery because a telephone extension was busy. The system delivers massages instantly over the shore-side network and maintains a record of the message, to whom it was delivered and the time.

With SHORE BASE you, at all times, know the working status of all ship's personnel employed. A click on the vessel icon on the screen brings up the Ship Status and Communications screen.  A click on "Edit Vessel" brings up another box in which you can see all of the personnel assigned to the vessel.   A record is kept of each individual showing all positions each person is qualified to hold, and on which vessel and in what position they are working at the moment (or if they are ashore, and if so for what reason). Also, all "personnel file" type information, and a photograph of the crewmember is included.  When a position must be filled rapidly for a ship to sail, this personnel information can be searched with a simple screen e.g. "Bo'suns", "Off duty". 

SHORE BASE is located at the critical point of communication between the fleet and the shore-side computer network - and in fact receives various types of coded traffic from the vessel and writes it into the Company's databases on the shoreside LAN. The radio operator enters messages and vessel status radio traffic manually into the system that he operates. The software automatically enters in-coming digital (e-mail or direct satellite traffic) messages directly into the server. When the information is in the SHORE BASE server, it is immediately distributed over the company's computer network by a programmed series of reports, customized for each user.  Signed in users can request, at any time, the reports which they are authorized to receive.

Fleet status messages are digital MS Access reports prepared aboard the vessel, automatically at pre-determined intervals, or on-demand if Marimsys BRIDGE is used aboard.  These custom reports convey exactly the information needed, and because they are structured to be read by the shore-side database directly, and compressed and encoded aboard, the number of bytes actually transmitted is extremely low, thereby minimizing satellite communications costs. 

Many organizations are working to create management structures that respond more quickly. The information needed to make decisions must be delivered rapidly to the person or persons responsible. These managers need accurate rapid and easily understood information with which to make decisions.  SHORE BASE is designed to manage the communications backbone in this process.

All communications entering the system are directed either to a specific person or to a department such as Maintenance, Nets, Port Manager, etc. These messages write to the system Microsoft Access database. Local clients (directly on the computer network) receive "push" communications directly as they are updated in the system for areas in which they have specified an interest. The Net Chief receives a copy of all messages having to do with nets, Stevedoring receives a copy of all Arrival time messages etc.  All users can "pull" up to the second reports from the system (if they are authorized) at any time.  Internet clients, typically remotely located plants, receive a database update which is e-mailed to their own system "mirror" database at user selected time intervals - or they can "pull" this database update if needed.

SHORE BASE client users receive these messages directed to them and alarms set in their program to alert them that information of interest to them has been received in the system, and that a copy is waiting to receive by pushing the flashing button on the toolbar. These alarms are user adjustable. For instance, a ship maintenance communication has limited interest to the Production Factory Manager, but the Maintenance Department and the Fleet Manager are informed immediately upon receipt. A change in ETA is of high interest to the Production Factory, as it is to Maintenance, Port Control and to an outside Fuel contractor (who also could directly receive specific fuel quantity needed).

For analytical usage the Microsoft Access Database can be entered directly. Custom reporting applications for different departments can be programmed. Different user access privileges can be provided to the various client installations of Marimsys SHORE BASE. Various management reports to simplify specific tasks are performed directly by the system. Port clearance documents and other governmental reports are created and printed directly, as are crew lists and documentation required whenever a crewmember joins or leaves the crew. Custom reports can be created by users or Marine Imaging Systems with Microsoft Access or Crystal Reports.

Discharge line flows and capacity information can be used in the system to aid in programming landings to optimally manage product unloading. The date and time of the first catch made is maintained as an aid in estimating product quality. Ship management details like licenses and expiration dates of vessel components are kept in the database to warn when lifeboat renewal, firing extinguishers etc. are nearing their expiration date. Reports give instant access to often-needed fleet level information such as: ETA's and Fish / Fuel Aboard All Vessels.

Sophisticated point and click calculations of distance, ETA, or distance of vessels from a hot fishing spot can be made directly on the chart with ease. The full range of Marimsys Charts is usable in the system as a backdrop. This enables a seiner fleet to be displayed in front of satellite temperature images, or a particular long liner vessel, with a new captain, to be viewed over company owned Marimsys Bottom Charts - whereby suggestions of "a few hundred meters to the NW is an obstacle".  Along with company vessels shown on the plot, competitor vessels can be added as information is received, allowing better vessel deployment decisions to be made when conditions are changing rapidly. And, as the server system can keep remotely located client systems updated over the Internet - there is no problem in maintaining real-time knowledge of fleet status half a world away.