EEP9 / 9 / 8
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

De : Cossette, Georges [mailto:CossetteG@dfo-mpo.gc.ca] 
Envoyé : lundi 12 mars 2007 21:29
À : SecGen IALA
Cc : Chateauvert, Andre; Sale, Mike
Objet : TR: Input Paper EEP 09 - Lasers trial in Canada

 

 

Bonjour M. Alimchandani, 

As requested at the last EEP session (10.1 Modern Light Sources (Item 4.1) from EEP ) , here is an update on the Canadian Coast Guard 's (CCG) laser technology project.

Backgound info: The primary objective of the CCG was to reduce the cost of traditional range lights by replacing them with a one tower range composed of a two-colour laser light. It was envisaged that the colors of the laser would provide the mariners with the port and starboard deviation from the center of the channel. This would have eliminated the need for the two towers required in a conventional range site. Following seven years of researches, the 3 tested prototypes did not succeeded to provide the mariner with accurate lateral coding which would indicate to the mariner where he was in the channel. 

Current status: The laser range project was stopped due to the reasons stated above. However, a recommendation was made to develop another application which would replace the conventional range lights (Incandescent or LED's) by a laser source light. The advantage of this laser light would be: greater range, lower power consumption and better visibility against background lighting (conspicuity). Unfortunately, this new R&D project hasn’t been funded due to other priorities within CCG.

 
Having stated that ,attached is the final report that has been produced by INO company which was the consultant and developper for  the development of the laser technology . Although the report shows potential benefits of using laser as an aid to navigation, the project has been stopped. Many concerns to be addressed lead CCG  to recognise that the technology is not at a stage to be implemented easily and the mariners were not enthusiasm with. 

Example of concerns: 

Technical issues: 
                During trials, many adjustments were regularly required which indicate a potential problem of reliability.

                The light power level was too strong according to mariners saying that it leads to eye safety issues; 
                The laser prototypes were based on moving mechanical parts. Concerns here about the maintenance costs and reliability;

                Lasers have to perform from -40 to +40C requiring heater and cooler. Again, more systems leave more chances to have an outage.

                
Mariners: 
                They are not convinced of the benefits and are not confident with the system; 
                Laser codes were confusing for most mariners consulted during this project. They do not felt at ease to rapidly translate visual information supplied by laser into a simple procedure to steer back to center line (of chanel). On the other hand, mariners use actual standard range lights on a more intuitive manner.

Level of Services: 
                 The availability of the "range" rely on one light system: If an outage happens to the laser, service to mariner is totally interrupted in comparison with a standard range where the mariner can at least still rely on daymark during the day time navigation.

                The worst case scenario is when the laser would be misaligned for any raison, false and dangerous information would be delivered to mariners...

 

<<INO 02-5455 LR RFI.pdf>> 

 

If any questions do not hesitate. 

 

Salutations cordiales 

Georges Cossette, ing. 
Canadian Coast Guard. 
