GSB 7.1 Standardlösung

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Communikation – Information – Support – Coordination

In accordance with Section 4 of the Administrative Agreement about the Maritime Safety and Security Centre (MSSC), the personnel working at the Joint Emergency Reporting and Assessment Centre Sea (JERACS) are required to perform the following tasks:

  • providing the network partners with relevant data and information,
  • compilation of common situation pictures,
  • first joint initial assessment of the overall situation,
  • mutual consultation and assistance,
  • logistic support of law enforcement and operational forces,
  • Ensuring that the partner’s available personnel and material resources are used effectively by optimally coordinating their deployment
  • cooperation with situation centres of other authorities and institutions and
  • participation in the preparation, conduct and evaluation of joint exercises

Housing all of the maritime command forces under the same roof at JERACS ensures that the partners are able to intensively exchange information. JERACS is the point of contact to which the different agencies provide all of the information required to ensure maritime safety and security, and where this information is evaluated within the context of the relevant situation and forwarded to the responsible agencies. JERACS also has the capacity to initiate operational measures.
The associated operations are always managed by the respective agency that is technically and locally responsible both during day-to-day operations as well as in special situations.

Collage showing 4 photographs of personnel working at JERACS and in the field, clarifying the centre’s core tasks of communication, information, support and coordination. Tasks JERACS (Vergrößerung öffnet sich im neuen Fenster) Centre`s core tasks of the communication and cooperation network MSSC | Source: Erik Krüger, Federal Police, Federal Costums

Integrated sea surveillance

One of the main responsibilities of the partners working in the MSSC is to monitor the North and Baltic Seas. Integrated Sea Surveillance is conducted by ships of network partners at sea, airborne surveillance, ship traffic messages (e.g. by pilots) and notices issued by traffic centres as central point of contacts for navigation (radar, AIS, radio communication).

Location map of the German North and Baltic Sea coasts. The map shows the traffic control centres and the area within which maritime traffic is monitored with a Maritime Traffic Management System (MTMS). Location map of the Maritime Traffic Management System (Vergrößerung öffnet sich im neuen Fenster) Location map of the Maritime Traffic Management System | Source: Waterways and Shipping Administration

The Automatic Identification System

The Automatic Identification System (AIS) is a radar vessel tracking system that makes it possible to exchange navigation data such as the destination harbour, planned arrival times and other statistical data such as the vessel’s name, type and dimensions. All internationally operating ships have to be fitted with an AIS by law, while recreational vessels do not. The data provided by the AIS can be accessed by other ships, but is also sent to the Federal Waterways and Shipping Administration’s AIS stations. The AIS and radar data is transmitted to the traffic control centres, who then visualise them on electronic nautical charts.

Visual location map showing a section of the North Sea. The AIS transmits the signals of the vessels whose locations are shown on this chart. Visual location map - AIS (Vergrößerung öffnet sich im neuen Fenster) Visual location map | Source: European Maritime Safety Agency

Operational resources

Sea surveillance is carried out using craft of the network partners.

Patrol Vessel "Glückstadt", Lengh 23 m, Width 5,60 m, Home port Glückstadt, Crew 6 persons Patrol Vessel (Vergrößerung öffnet sich im neuen Fenster) Patrol Vessel "Glückstadt" | Source: Federal Costums


Multipurpose vessel "Neuwerk", Lengh 78 m, Width 18 m, Home port Cuxhaven, Crew 16 persons Multipurpose vessel (Vergrößerung öffnet sich im neuen Fenster) Multipurpose vessel "Neuwerk" | Source: Federal Waterways and Shipping Administration


Coastal Patrol Vessel WS2 "Bürgermeister Weichmann"; Lengh 29,50 m; Width 6,40 m, Home port Hamburg, Crew 4-5 persons Coastal Patrol Vessel (Vergrößerung öffnet sich im neuen Fenster) Coastal Patrol Vessel WS2 "Bürgermeister Weichmann" | Source: Waterways Police Hamburg


Situation Report

In the JERACS, the joint situation picture is maintained and permanently updated. Information and data that are relevant to all involved are displayed in digital form. This includes:

  • area of operation
  • traffic situation
  • operational forces
  • resources
  • position of resources
  • operational effectiveness of resources
  • weather and tidal information
  • navigational warnings
  • special incidents

Situation Report

Based on all data and information available, the Central Command for Maritime Emergencies prepares a daily situation report for the JERACS. Specific situation reports of individual network partners will be provided taking into account original responsibilities and data protection aspects.

Situation Picture

Situation pictures are compiled on a regular basis or as required.