Weathernews' Asset Surveillance & Alarm Program (ASAP) is a simple, stand-alone SSAS that enables ship owners to comply with the IMO's regulation completely and immediately.

 

Our ASAP system has been Type Approved by the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) and it has been approved by the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG). It is an Internet-enabled interactive tool that is simple-to-install and easy-to-use. Alarms are self-contained units consisting of the following:

 

Once an alarm is activated, a signal is sent to the designated shoreside authorities. Alert text messages can be sent to clients via email or wireless devices, and the Fleet Display can show a graphical indication of a vessel in distress. Additionally, trained Weathernews personnel monitor the alarms and contact the appropriate personnel directly to ensure they receive the notification that an alarm was activated.

All these ASAP alarm notifications give the ship's exact location at activation time, so fleet managers can quickly send help to any ships in distress. | top

 

 

Weathernews is in a unique position to help our clients comply with the SSAS regulation. With over 50 years of experience offering personalized, live "risk communications" to shipping companies, Weathernews monitors our clients' vessels 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Similarly, Weathernews' experienced marine Risk Communicators monitor all alarms that are activated through our ASAP system.

 

Companies using ASAP now have the peace of mind that if one of their vessels is compromised or under threat, they will be notified by Weathernews immediately. Weathernews is the first and only company in the industry to offer such an important, back-end service with our SSAS solution. | top

 

Now that hardware from trusted manufacturers is widely available to the market, and companies are beginning to successfully implement reliable SSAS systems, we recognize the need for a personal, human approach to potential maritime emergencies. While some basic SSAS hardware systems offer an automated notification when an alarm is activated, companies never can be certain that they will receive the message in time to protect their crew, vessel and cargo.

 

Additionally, if this basic hardware system does not have a back-end position polling service associated with it, the vessel cannot be tracked after an alarm is activated, making it very difficult for authorities to find the compromised vessel at sea and ensure it does not reach port unsupervised. | top

 

	Reliable hardware
	Back-end services
	1) 24x7x365 monitoring and immediate notification of alarms by trusted and skilled Weathernews personnel
	2) Position Polling to track vessels along their routes and after an alarm has been activated

 

The basic hardware and components of the ASAP solution include:

 

 

ASAP is a full solution that can be installed easily either by the customer or by other authorized technicians.

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That's ok; Weathernews can still work with your existing hardware components to provide you the peace of mind that our expertise and personal services offer.

 

No other vendor can help companies:

	Determine which Coast Guard station is closest to a distressed vessel
	Find the nearest ports to a distressed vessel and estimate an accurate time of arrival
	Understand how the weather will impact the distressed vessel, potentially moving it off course
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As mentioned above, Weathernews' ASAP service offering includes access to a visual fleet display system. This system enables security officers and shoreside fleet managers to see their entire fleet at a glance, including details about individual vessels and historical routes. If a security alarm is activated on a ship with ASAP installed, the ship's exact location at the time of activation is indicated, and the ship's current position can be tracked using the display, so fleet managers can quickly send help to ships in distress. | top

 

Weathernews' Fleet Display is an easy-to-use, Internet-enabled system that provides a complete view of your fleet including voyage status and security alerts for all your vessels. | top   * When used with Optimum Ship Routing ** When used with weather forecasting services

 

	Close examination of track information using tab or mouse wheel
	Zoom to track boundaries
	Adjust number of days displayed

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ASAP compliments Weathernews' modular services and other risk communication services. This combined service offering makes Weathernews the only global provider with a complete solution to help companies comply with the SOLAS regulation, improve efficiency, save time and manage costs.

		SOLAS Requirements:			ASAP Solution:
	>	When activated, an alarm shall initiate and transmit a ship-to-shore security alert to a competent authority designated by the Administration.		>	When activated, an alarm is sent via email or wireless device to customer-designated recipients. It is also displayed in Weathernews' Fleet Display System, and monitored by Weathernews Risk Communicators, available 24/7/365.
	>	An alarm should identify the ship, its location and indicate that the ship is under threat or it has been compromised.		>	Each coded alert message includes the vessel's identity, current position, the date and time of the position report.
	>	An alarm should not be raised on board ship nor alert other ships.		>	The system hardware is small and easy to conceal from hijackers or terrorists. The alarm signal is only sent to those designated.
	>	The activation points should operate a radio system such that transmission of the security alert does not require any adjustment of the radio system.		>	ASAP alarms are self-contained units consisting of an integrated satellite/GPS transceiver connected to the ship's main power system with back-up battery in case of lost power.
	>	When powered by the ship's main source of electrical power, it should, in addition, be possible to operate the system from an alternate source of power.
	>	The operation of the ship security alert system should not impair the functionality of the GMDSS installation.
	>	The ship security alert system requires two activation points, one of which should be on the bridge, and employ measures to avoid inadvertent operation and the generation of false alerts.		>	The ASAP design incorporates at least two external panic buttons.
	>	The ship security alert system, when activated, should continue the ship security alert until deactivated and/or reset.		>	In Alarm Mode, the ASAP unit will continue to send messages hourly until the device is manually reset. If power to the ASAP unit is lost, a warning alert is activated.
	>	The ship security alert system should be capable of being tested.		>	Daily position polls confirm normal operation of the unit. Alarm mode can also be regularly tested.