Dr. Hugh Roarty’s article “The Vessel Traffic Service Needs a Major Radar Upgrade” was recently published in US Naval Proceedings. Proceedings is a monthly magazine published by the United States Naval Institute. Launched in 1874, it is one of the oldest continuously published magazines in the United States. Proceedings covers topics concerning global security and includes articles from military professionals and civilian experts, historical essays, book reviews, full-color photography, and reader commentary.
The article discussed Dr. Roarty’s work to evaluate the Coast Guard use of radar to manage traffic in the ports. The existing microwave radars operated by the United States Coast Guard (USCG) within the Vessel Traffic Sservice system do not provide reliable detection of small vessels, which can pose a threat to the Marine Transportation System. As part of the project Dr. Roarty raveled and met with Coast Guard personnel at the twelve Vessel Traffic Service centers to develop a needs analysis for the VTS centers with respect to radar remote sensing. A request for information (RFI) was developed and delivered to radar manufacturers that allowed the USCG to evaluate state of the art in radar technology for small vessel detection while also meeting the VTS mission to monitor and advise vessels within the navigational waterways.
Full article at US Naval Institute