Livorno - The challenge of the ISIDE project (Interreg IT-FR Maritime Program 2014-2020) is to improve the safety of both commercial and recreational shipping through innovative ship-to-shore communication models based on the development and application of ICT technologies. The basic idea is simple: use text messaging, the kind we use all the time on our mobile phones, as a means of shore-to-ship communication. It is important to make sure that the types of signals and text messages reduce the incorrect or ambiguous interpretation of communication in emergency or risk scenarios. The ISIDE project partners, coordinated by the University of Cagliari - CIREM, have designed and developed a free-text communication system suitable for communicating in emergency situations using tablets, PCs or other devices.

The ISIDE Project - Technological innovation is increasingly supporting sea rescue

One of the advantages of this solution is to have emergency messages remain visible on the monitor during communication, so that they can be constantly re-read; it is also possible to have automatic translation of the language of preference. To achieve this, the ISIDE project transmits data through the VHF channel normally employed in the AIS system which vessels already use. This is supplemented by a specific software that allows messages to be transmitted in a text format. The system has been successfully tested in the port of Livorno, with "complex trials" organized by the North Tyrrhenian Port Network Authority, in close collaboration with Livorno Coast Guard. In particular, two emergency scenarios at sea were simulated in Livorno. It consisted of a three-way communication between the "LA SUBERBA” ferry," the "SINE DIE" sailing boat and the Livorno Coast Guard control room. The emergency scenarios involved:

- the simulation of a leak on board the "SINE DIE," which caused water to enter the hull and a boater to fall overboard, resulting in a distress call to the Coast Guard patrol boat;
- the simulation of a fire on board and the injury of a passenger on the "LA SUBERBA," ferry. The 118-emergency service was able to reach the ship, carry out triage on board and pick up the injured person thanks to the coastguard patrol boat, firefighters, divers and the Coast Guard helicopter.

In both cases, innovative technological tools such as smartwatches and tablets were used for communications, which allowed the Coast Guard to make initial contact with both the skipper of the sailing boat and the captain of the ferry. The aim of these trials was to assess whether the use of innovative, standardized technology could reduce the slowness or inadequacy of managing emergencies, especially by non-professional boaters, unprepared for these types of situations and panicking, in ports with difficult access to certain quays with adverse weather and climate conditions. This experimentation in Livorno is just one of the trials in the ISIDE project carried out in each of the five partner ports: Genoa, Cagliari, Livorno, Toulon, Bastia. "In different operational contexts and heterogeneous simulated scenarios, the equipment tested produced excellent results," says Prof. Fancello, Project Coordinator. "In particular, the collaboration with Livorno coastguard was indispensable, as well as the contribution from the staff at the Port Network Authority whom I’d like to thank, namely, Antonella Querci, Francescalberto De Bari and Alessio Cerulli."