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Application of the Newly Developed Real Time Tracking & Monitoring of Vessel (RTTMV) System to Marine Dumping Activities under the Dumping At Sea Ordinance, Cap.466 (DASO)
Frequently Asked Questions
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Q1. What is RTTMV system?
A1. RTTMV system is a real-time monitoring system basically comprising a control centre at EPD and Front End Mobile Units (FEMUs) to be provided by permit holders on board of dumping vessels. In this new system, a Control Centre is set up in the offices of the EPD to receive and monitor the operation of all dumping vessels under DASO. Each of these vessels will have a FEMU aboard to receive, record and transmit real-time data direct from the vessel at sea to the EPD Control Centre through a GPRS mobile communication network. The data include the vessel’s position (by means of Global Positioning System), draught, and status of bottom opening. The EPD has established a website for the new RTTMV system. All permit holders and other eligible parties would be provided free (read-only) access to the website for monitoring of their own vessels and take snapshots of the vessel operation by remote control of the cameras connected to their FEMUs. With the aid of the new system, the industry can also enhance their fleet management.
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Q2. What is Front End Mobile Unit (FEMU)?
A2. FEMU is a key component of the RTTMV system. The FEMU system (i.e. FEMU together with peripheral items connected) consists of a data capturing and communication unit, a processing unit, data storage media, a portable printer, a GPS receiver, a draught sensor, a split-bottom control button, a network camera and backup batteries. The FEMU is housed in a waterproof enclosure with key locks. Real-time data are received, recorded and stored in the FEMU and transmitted to the EPD Control Centre. See FEMU technical specifications for further details. The FEMU will replace the existing automatic self-monitoring device (ASMD) which will be phased out gradually.
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Q3. What are the advantages of the FEMU?
A3. The existing ASMD only store data for later manual retrieval and analysis. With the use of the FEMU, monitoring and control of dumping operations at sea can be done much more effectively. Permit holders can also gain access to the free website provided by the EPD to monitor and manage their dumping fleets online. The new system will thus save time and resources for both the EPD and permit holders in checking compliance and will help prevent arguments over data interpretation, delay in corrective actions, or miscommunication.
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Q4. What are the costs of the FEMU?
A4. Based on information received by the EPD, the supply and installation costs of the FEMU are comparable, if not more favourable, to the existing ASMD . For recurrent costs, the charge for connecting to the network would be in the order of a few hundred dollars per month.
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Q5. Could some of the equipment items of the ASMD be reused for the FEMU?
A5. Yes, some components of the existing ASMD, such as GPS receivers, draught sensors, batteries, could be reused if they are compatible to the FEMU.
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Q6. How can the suppliers of the FEMU be sourced?
A6. The FEMU is commercially available for installation on board of marine dumping vessels. Based on the technical specifications of the FEMU promulgated by the EPD, interested parties are free to identify potential suppliers from local or overseas markets. Further details of the existing suppliers of the FEMU can be obtained from EPD at 2835 1287.
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Q7. Is accreditation of the FEMU necessary?
A7. All models of the FEMU will have to be accredited for acceptance by the Authority before they can be approved for use under DASO. Prior agreement by the EPD on the appropriate professional person/body should be sought. The costs of the accreditation are normally borne by the suppliers.
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Q8. What is the implementation programme of the FEMU?
A8. After more than a year of development, testing and successful sea trials, the RTTMV system is now ready for a full launch. The new system has many advantages over the existing system. The EPD has consulted the industry on the timing and we are pleased to announce the phased implementation programme to require installation of the FEMU on all marine dumping vessels under DASO permit applications as follows:
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Marine disposal of Type 3 sediment for all projects - with immediate effect
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Marine disposal of Type 1 and 2 sediment for Government projects - with effect from 1st February 2008
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Marine disposal of Type 1 and 2 sediment for all other projects - with effect from 1st August 2008.
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Q9 Are there sea trials? Has the FEMU been properly tested and ready for use?
A9. Successful trial runs of the FEMU had been conducted on vessels including the two EPD owned vessels and a private hopper barge. The FEMU was also used in a recent project involving marine disposal of Type 3 sediment.
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Q10. What if a dumping vessel is not equipped with the FEMU?
A10. In accordance with the RTTMV implementation programme mentioned in A8 above, use of the FEMU will then be a standard condition for all marine dumping permits granted under the DASO. In other words, only vessels with approved FEMUs will be used for dumping activities under a marine dumping permit.
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Q11. How will monitoring data acquired from the FEMU be used?
A11. Monitoring data acquired from the FEMU will be used primarily for the purpose of compliance checking by EPD. Similar to the existing ASMD, records produced by the FEMU are admissible as evidence in courts. Apart from permit holders, relevant parties such as owners of dumping vessels, supervisory site staff and project clients may also be provided with access to the website for monitoring of the vessels concerned.
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