Vessel Tracking

Abstract

Marine vessels depart from port and transfer cargo, supplies, or personnel or provide services at one or more offshore locations. The length of time a vessel is away from port can vary from several hours up to a week or more, depending on the sailing time, docking, unloading, and circuit activities. Small vessels usually return to port the same day, while deepwater vessels remain offshore for longer periods of time. Construction vessels, dive support vessels, and MODUs stay on site until the completion of work activity or unless inclement weather forces relocation. Tankers transit and unload their cargo in port or designated lightering zones. In this chapter, several marine vessels are tracked over a 2-year period to illustrate their patterns of offshore activity and shorebase usage.