EMEC tracks shipping activity

EMEC, the European Marine Energy Centre, has built two receiving stations to pick up information about shipping activity in the waters where wave and tidal energy devices are tested in Orkney.

Engineers at the centre set up the stations to pick up transmissions from ships operating near its test sites and over a wide sea area.

The information is becoming increasingly important for EMEC as it prepares for an increase in testing activity.

It is hoped the receiving stations will help ensure that marine energy machines can operate safely at the wave test site in Atlantic waters to the west of Stromness and at the tidal test site off Eday.

The information gathered is also fed into international databases that allow the movement of shipping worldwide to be charted on two publicly available websites.

The Automatic Identification System (AIS) is used by vessels to provide a range of information, including their position, speed and course.