More than 70% of the Earth’s surface is covered by oceans. They are home to ships, trade routes, fishing zones, and occasionally even hidden risks. It’s hard for any country to keep an eye on such a large territory, but it’s even harder for India because it has a long coastline. This is where Artificial Intelligence (AI) is becoming a strong tool for Maritime Surveillance and Domain Awareness (MDA). It helps us keep an eye on what’s going on across the seas in real time.
AI combines data from radars, AIS, satellites, and drones
AIS (Automatic Identification System) and other technologies broadcast signals from every ship on the ocean that reveal where it is, how fast it is going, and what path it is taking. But not all ships follow the rules. Some turn off their AIS to disguise unlawful activity. That’s when AI comes in. It can combine information from satellites, radar, AIS, and UAVs (drones) to give you a full view of everything that is happening in the water.
AI systems can look at signals from multiple places and find vessels when they are trying to hide. AI can tell if a ship’s behavior looks suspect by looking for trends in the data. For instance, if it moves slowly in a restricted area or changes routes repeatedly.
Finding strange things and stopping illegal activities
AI is also being utilized to find issues which don’t seem right, which is what anomalies are. AI algorithms can highlight things like a fishing boat that is far from the fishing zone or a cargo ship that suddenly pauses in the middle of the sea for further examination.
These tools help stop smuggling, piracy, and illegal trade. Machine learning models can even be trained on past events to predict where illegal activities might happen next. This helps coast guards respond faster and smarter.
Monitoring the Coastal Zone and Fisheries
AI is also helping to keep our coastal ecosystems safe. AI systems can keep track on fisheries, coral reefs, and water quality using drones and underwater sensors. AI can, for instance, keep an eye on fishing fleets and make sure they aren’t overfishing or going into places that are off-limits.
AI also helps scientists keep a watch on the health of the oceans by looking at patterns in water temperature, plankton concentration, and pollution levels. This helps scientists learn how climate change and human activity affect marine life.
Using computer vision to find ships
AI-powered computer vision is an important part of finding and classifying ships using pictures taken by satellites, drones, or AUVs (autonomous underwater vehicles). These systems can find ships on their own, tell the type of ship they are (cargo ship, fishing vessel, tanker, etc.), and even guess how big they are.
This technology allows authorities keep an eye on thousands of ships in big ocean areas without having to have people watch them all the time. It’s like having millions of eyes on the ocean at once, except they’re all powered by AI.
Bringing together India’s coastal surveillance systems
India has already established an advanced Integrated Coastal Surveillance System (ICSS) that uses radars, cameras, and sensors along the coast. AI may now take this to the next level by combining information from several authorities and countries nearby.
India and its partners in the Indian Ocean region can develop a shared “maritime intelligence map” by exchanging data from the region. This would make it easier for search and rescue teams, disaster response teams, and defense teams to work together.
AI is transforming how countries keep an eye on their oceans. AI-powered Maritime Domain Awareness makes the waters safer and smarter by keeping an eye on pirates and conserving marine ecosystems. This mix of technology and watchfulness keeps our oceans safe, healthy, and full of opportunities for future generations. This is especially important for a country like India, which is surrounded by water and relies on maritime trade.
Marex Media
The Author
Vishrut Srivastava – photo and details you have
For inquiries or a quick exchange on the evolving role of AI in Maritime Surveillance and Domain Awareness, you’re welcome to connect at vishrut@yodaplus.com.