The US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Marine Cadastre tool offers detailed daily ship movement data collected from ground-based stations along the US coasts. By downloading transit count maps generated from a year’s worth of data, users can visualize marine traffic patterns using GIS software. The abstract and colorful maps resemble various high-energy phenomena, with ship traces appearing like sparklers or fiber-optic wires.
Zooming in on the maps reveals geometric patterns, such as perfect circles or grid lines, representing different activities like fishing grounds, scientific surveys, or offshore oil rig transport routes. The data provides insights into maritime activities in various regions, including Victoria, British Columbia, Seattle, Lake Huron, Savannah, Georgia, and Louisiana. Offshore oil rig transportation off Louisiana’s gulf coast is a prominent feature on the maps.
While the Marine Cadastre tool is a valuable resource for tracking ship movements globally in near-real-time, it also raises concerns about maintaining the secrecy of ships’ movements and cargoes. The tool’s capabilities offer a glimpse into the complex web of marine traffic patterns and activities, highlighting the need for transparency and security in maritime operations.
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