Press Releases

CJTF-HOA Suggests the Automatic Identification System (AIS) to the Mauritius Ports Authority for Enhanced Maritime Security

November 13, 2008

Rear Admiral Philip H. Greene, Jr., Commander of the Combined Joint Task Force, Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) visited Mauritius at the beginning of this week.  After a series of courtesy calls on the President of the Republic, Sir Anerood Jugnauth and the Prime Minister, Dr. Navin Ramgoolam on Tuesday, November 11, Admiral Greene met with representatives of the Mauritius Ports Authority (MPA) on Wednesday, November 12. 

The objective of the meeting was to promote the Automatic Information System, or AIS—a commercial shipboard broadcast transponder operating in Very High Frequency (VHF) maritime band to the MPA.  The AIS allows automatic exchange of shipboard information from the vessel’s sensors, including static and voyage related data between one vessel and another and between a vessel and a shore station.  The AIS is a part of the Maritime Safety & Security Information System (MSSIS) whose aim is to create a collaborative, global, maritime information sharing environment through a unity of effort across entities with maritime interests. 

The AIS is a long-term loan by CJTF-HOA to the Mauritius Ports Authority.  Mauritius and other countries can find their economic health challenged by common maritime issues such as smuggling, fisheries violations, environmental degradation, drug trafficking, piracy, human trafficking, terrorism and oil theft.  The AIS helps Mauritius and others fight these problems.  The MPA is currently testing the AIS.  It is expected that the system will be fully operational by the middle of next week.  As soon as the Mauritius Ports Authority decides to adopt the AIS, CJTF-HOA will identity three locations across Mauritius to install satellite dishes for a complete coverage of the island. Once the local authorities agree to the utilization of AIS as a device for enhanced maritime security, a Memorandum of Understanding with the Government of Mauritius will follow.