Information is always required by organizations of coastal states about the movements, identities and intentions of vessels sailing in the waters of interest to them, which may be coastal waters, straits, inland waterways, rivers, lakes or open seas. This interest may stem from defense requirements or from needs for the protection of off-shore resources, enhanced search and rescue services, deterrence of smuggling, drug trafficking and other illegal activities and/or for providing vessel traffic services for safe and efficient navigation and protection of the environment.
To meet these needs it is necessary to have a well designed maritime surveillance and control system capable of tracking ships and providing other types of information required by a variety of user groups ranging from port authorities, shipping companies, marine exchanges to governments and the military.
Principles of Integrated Maritime Surveillance Systems will be of vital interest to anyone responsible for the design, implementation or provision of a well designed maritime surveillance and control system capable of tracking ships and providing navigational and other types of information required for safe navigation and efficient commercial operation. Principles of Integrated Maritime Surveillance Systems is therefore essential to a variety of user groups ranging from port authorities to shipping companies and marine exchanges as well as civil governments and the military.