Custom Analytics
Custom Analytics
The Answers You Need
PDS can provide the guidance and expertise to help find the answers you need from your fleet.
Reporting
Our reporting experts will work with you to create reports custom-tailored to your business needs at whatever interval you require.
Data Interchange
Whether you're collecting registration and permit information, supply-chain figures, or enumerator records, our technical staff will work with you to integrate your data streams into a unified fleet knowledge repository.
On-Site Expertise
Our field staff has experience in fisheries of all sizes on six continents, and can provide assistance with installation, project scope, policy, and additional data collection.
Still have problems you need solved? Let us help you.
PDS Hardware
PDS Hardware
THE PDS ULTRA-LIGHT VESSEL TRACKING SYSTEM (VTS)
Our ultra-light Vessel Tracking System is the heart of our data-collection platform. We designed every piece of the VTS from scratch to provide the most reliable data collection system ever built for the sea. Our devices are rugged as well as waterproof and are rated at IP68.
Using The Network
By leveraging the ubiquity of cellular networks with on-board data storage, the VTS can collect vessel location data with unparalleled detail. This allows our cloud-based analytics platform to reveal deeper understandings of vessel behavior than ever before.
Better By Design
Because the VTS was designed to track vessels of any size with no user intervention, for a fraction of the cost of legacy systems, users can track far more boats than ever before.
PDS Vessel Tracking System
Legacy VMS System
| Automatic Identification Systems (AIS) | Vessel Monitoring Systems (VMS) | Pelagic Data's Vessel Tracking System (VTS) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary Use | Helping ships avoid collisions and assisting port authorities in better monitoring maritime traffic | Monitoring specifically for commercial fishing vessels that is designed for regulatory bodies to track and manage fishing activities | Autonomous tracking of vessels of any size, including those not large enough to be well-suited for AIS or VMS systems |
| Vessel Size Class | International voyaging ships with gross tonnage (GT) of 300 or more, any passenger ship regardless of size, and US fishing vessels | Varies by location (e.g., USA requires it on any commercial fishing vessel; the EU requires it on any fishing vessel larger than 12m (40ft)) | Appropriate for vessels of any size, including those without a power source |
| Tracking Interval | Broadcasts position in real-time (typically every few seconds) to avoid collisions | Typically sends a position reading once per hour | Records positions every few seconds, it can also store years' worth of data directly onboard |
| Power Requirements | Requires power supply | Requires power supply, or batteries to be recharged regularly | Completely power-independent using a solar energy |
| Data Communication Method | Primarily VHF radio but can be supplemented by satellite communication methods | Satellite based communications | Cellular Data Network |
| Cost | $$$ | $$$$$ | $ |
Location information is logged on the VTS directly from GPS/GLONASS satellites, encrypted, and stored onboard the device until it can be securely transferred via cellular network to a secured cloud server. This means that unlike AIS, position data cannot be falsified.
Unlike VMS or AIS, there is no way to turn off the PDS VTS, as is commonly done with legacy systems when a vessel prefers to go undetected. In addition, the VTS has a number of anti-tamper features to help identify bad actors.