Island Hopping Boats Tracking and Distress Call Alerting System Based On Lora Technology

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ISLAND­HOPPING BOATS TRACKING AND DISTRESS CALL

ALERTING SYSTEM BASED ON LORA TECHNOLOGY

A Design Project
Presented to the Faculty of College of Engineering
University of Cebu – Lapulapu and Mandaue
Mandaue City

In Partial Fulfilment
Of the Requirements for the Degree
Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering

By

ANTASUDA, VAN 
BARRIENTOS, MICHAEL JOHN
CABALHUG, VERLIN GRACE
DOROY, FLORIE MAE

Engr. Joseph Manbert Mendez
Adviser
OCTOBER 2019

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Title Page

ISLAND­HOPPING BOATS TRACKING AND DISTRESS CALL
ALERTING SYSTEM BASED ON LORA TECHNOLOGY

A Design Project
Presented to the Faculty of College of Engineering
University of Cebu – Lapulapu and Mandaue
Mandaue City

In Partial Fulfilment
Of the Requirements for the Degree
Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering

By

ANTASUDA, VAN 
BARRIENTOS, MICHAEL JOHN
CABALHUG, VERLIN GRACE
DOROY, FLORIE MAE

Engr. Joseph Manbert Mendez
Adviser

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OCTOBER 2019

Approval Sheet

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Abstract

  [1.]
  The research work is concise and generally summarizes the activities duly

carried   out   in   the   design   and   implementation   of   Island­Hopping   Boats   Tracking   and

Distress Call Alerting System Based on LoRa Technology.  [2.] The system is designed to

track the exact location of a boat and to be able to send a distress call alert and it provides

effective   real­time   island­hopping   boat   location,   mapping   and   reporting   of   global

positioning information. The system will also inform where the island­hopping boat is

and where it has been. The system uses a global positioning satellite (GPS) in order to

locate the boat’s coordinates, the GPS will be installed together with a   [3.]  transceiver

device   that   can   send   a   distress   call   signal   to   the   user   equipment.   The   boat   will   be

equipped with a device set with sensors, a GPS, a solar panel and a LoRa transceiver with

the aim of enabling the transmission of their real­time positions  and other additional

metrics to the base station placed on the roof of the base office, Mactan Engano Port

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Detachment Coastal Office for a stable connection of data transmission to the remote user

software, a satellite buoy will be planted to a specific area across islands of Olanggo to

Mactan Engaño Port. The system will be using a LoRa­enabled monitoring unit that will

be placed on top of the tracked boats.  

The Administration itself have announced that currently the unavailability of a

tracking system for island­hopping boats is an issue for the safety of tourist in local

island­hopping venture. Maritime accidents in lightweight boat category usually happens

in island­hopping boats, it has raised the bar of being the highest probability of accidents.

Although the Philippine Coast Guards observe proper conduct of law, accidents are really

inevitable and it can happen anywhere.

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Table of Contents

Title Page i
Approval Sheet ii
Abstract iii
Table of Contents v
LIST OF FIGURES vi
LIST OF TABLE/CHARTS vii
CHAPTER 1 1
1.1 Rationale 1

1.2 Theoretical Background 3

1.3 Statement of the Problem 4

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1.4 Significance of the Study 5

1.5 Research Methodology 6

1.6 Research Environment 6

1.7 Research Subjects 6

1.8 Research Instrument 6

1.9 Research Procedure 7

1.10 Gathering of Data 7

1.11 Treatment of Data 7

1.12 Definition of Terms 7

LIST OF FIGURES

Figure # Title of the Figure Page

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7
LIST OF TABLE/CHARTS

Table # Title of the Table Page

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CHAPTER 1
The Problem and Its Scope

1.1 Rationale 

Maritime   communications   are   really   challenging   since   their   origins.

Communication from land to the sea have become advance, because of this, long range

communication   from   sea   to   shore   can   be   established   because   of   new   technological

strategies to large motor vessels. Unfortunately, in the Philippines, lightweight boats are

far­off   from   the   technology   used   by   large   motor   vessels.   Due   to   the   adversity   of

transmission conditions within lightweight boats, such as island hoping boats and fishing

boats, communication between sailors and operators are inadequate to establish a stable

communication. Currently island hoping boat operators can contact their sailors by using

a   handheld   transceiver   called   very   high   frequency   radio   (VHF).   With   this   kind   of

communication, a secure and stable communication would not be established because

whenever  the  sailor  or  operator  is   out  of range  from  the  connection,  communication

between   the   operator   and   the   sailor   will   be   disrupted.   Communication   between   the

operator  and sailor  is   disrupted  by  interference  of other  radio  frequencies.  Although,

radio transmission technologies have rapidly evolving, communication over lightweight

boats are still slow­paced because it is not strictly required by the authorities, lightweight

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boats should have at least a tracking system that can help them navigate, monitor and

communicate with sailors.

In this study, the researchers aim to provide a tracking system for island­hopping

boats,   apparently,   due   to   the   nonexistence   of   a   tracking   system   for   any   kind   of

lightweight boat, Philippine Coast Guard rescue operators have arduous rescue operations

because  of  long  time   duration  of  identifying  the   exact   coordinates   of  the  boat   to  be

rescued.  In order for the rescue operators to respond quickly to those emergencies and

avoid accidents such as death and missing passengers we have come up with a system

that can track, monitor and send a distress call signal for island­hopping boats. Currently

the technology being used by local island­hopping operators  are very high frequency

radios (VHFR), this equipment is recommended by the Maritime Industries Authorities

(MARINA)   for   island­hopping   operators.   Without   this   equipment,   the   island­hopping

boat will be prohibited to depart from the port. The advantage of our system that it has

more   security   to   procure   a   much   stable   connection   of   communication   from   island­

hopping   boats   to   their   operators.   VHFRs   are   high   consumer   of   power,   charging   the

device is beyond option after departure from the shore,  

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1.2 Theoretical Background

Philippines   is   an   archipelagic   country   composed   of   7,107   islands   that   have

become internationally known tourist destination.   [4.]  Cebu as one of the islands of the

Philippines has captured the attention of tourists from all over the world because of its

unique   combination   of   natural   and   man­made   attractions.   [5.]   The   island’s   prime

attraction are white­sand beaches and spectacular diving, chiefly off the northern tip of

Cebu   at   Malapascua   and   down   on   the   southwest   coast   at   Moalboal.   Due   to   the

breathtaking sceneries from the sea, there are a lot of activities involving exploring the

sea such as diving and island­hopping. Often times accidents can happen upon doing

outdoor activities, but we always want to ensure maximum security most especially when

we are having fun. 

Philippine   Coast   Guard   and   Maritime   Industries   Authorities   has   affirmed   the

nonexistence of a practical system that can help them monitor island­hopping boats. 

Tracking and Monitoring System Based on LoRa Technology for Lightweight Boats

The system designed and implemented by the group of Ramon Sanchez­Iborra

had  claimed  that  maritime  communications   are  really  challenging  due  to the  adverse

transmission conditions and the lack of pre­provide infrastructure for supporting long

range connectivity with land. Communication in high seas are usually covered by satellite

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links that are expensive and lead to high power consumption. However, in areas closer to

the shore 

Rules and Regulations to govern the accreditation of motorized boat/banca engaged

in tourism activities and services

The   Department   of   Tourism   (DoT)   have   promulgated   several   rules   and

regulations to govern the accreditation of motorize boat/banca specifically for 20 gross

tonnage (GRT) and below and are engaged in tourism activities and services. Standard

requirements   for   motorized   boats   in   tourism   activities   and   services   must   correspond

according to the type and physical appearance of the vessel to be registered, it helps to

provide the right equipment and accessories for the boat. Every boat must be able to

provide a life­saving and fire­fighting equipment and facilities, it must be able to procure

an adequate number of life vest as specified in the MARINA Certificate of Inspection to

be given and worn by passengers upon boarding, lighting signals and radio equipment,

VHF with capability on 156.8/156.3/156.6 MHz Motorized boats must also provide a

waste disposal bin to help lessen water pollution and protect local reserve. 

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1.3 Statement of the Problem

The main problem of this research is that maritime authorities has not procured a

serviceable tracking system for island­hopping boats. The problem areas are as follows:

1. Uncertainty   of   an   island­hopping   boat’s   coordinates   when   out   of   telescopic

vision.
2. Late Response of Rescue Operators.
3. Colo rum island­hopping boats sailing to sea. 

1.4 Significance of the Study

The study will benefit the following people as it will give them a clearer view of

the Island­hopping boats Tracking and Distress Call Alerting System.

The   Maritime   Industry   Authority   (MARINA).  To   legislate   laws   that   may

answer problems affecting Philippine registered island­hopping boats. The system will be

a great help for them because this system can be directly registered to their records.

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG). To enforce the legislated laws promulgated

by the Maritime Industry Authority. The system will help them monitor island­hopping

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boats upon departure and arrival of the boats. With the system itself, easy distress call

signals sending can be implemented.

The Island­Hopping Boat Sailors.  To have an insurance to their passenger for

cooperating with MARINA and PCG in assuring safety in every travel. With the system

aide, they could give insurance to their passenger that they could travel with ease.

The Passengers.  To have an assurance of safety conducted from the MARINA

and PCG. With system, they can assure that their safety is the main priority of the island­

hopping operators.

The Operators. To monitor the safety the island­hopping boat passenger, sailor

and crew on board the boat. With the system’s tracking and distress call alerting system,

safety procedures are observed, the business can be noticed

1.5 Research Methodology

The method used for this research is the Correlative Design.

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1.6 Research Environment

The   research   will   be  conducted   at   Hilton   Port   Mactan   where   the   respondents

island­hoping business is currently located.

Located at Punta Engano Rd, Lapulapu City, Cebu.

1.7 Research Subjects

The respondents of the study are composed of island­hoping business operator

and # of sailor under employment of  

1.8 Research Instrument

The following questionnaires were used by the researchers in gathering the data:

1.8.1 Maritime Related Information Questionnaire. This questionnaire is a 10

itemed   questions   instrument,   it   was   developed   to   gather   information

regarding the availability of any kind of system that can track and receive

distress signals for island­hopping boats.
1.8.2 Island­Hopping   Operators   Questionnaire.  This   questionnaire   is   a   10

itemed   questions   instrument,   it   was   developed   to   gather   information

regarding the approval of full cooperation upon deployment of the system

with the island­hopping boat operators.

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1.9 Research Procedure

The researchers contacted the Maritime Industries Authorities Assistant Regional

Head Director and Philippine Coast Guard Assistant Commander to ask for permission to

conduct a study, and to obtain related information related to the case study.

The   questionnaires   were   the   main   instruments   for   data   gathering   which   were

personally   distributed   by   the   researchers   themselves.   The   researchers   contained   a

covering letter describing the study and indicating the confidentiality of the information

that may be given out by the respondents.

1.10 Gathering of Data

1.11 Treatment of Data

1.12 Definition of Terms

Administration – refers to the ‘Marine Industry Authority’ (MARINA).

AIS – Automatic Identification System; AIS is an automatic tracking system for

large motor vessels.

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Lightweight boats – a category of small boats such as pump boats, motor banca

and island­hopping boats.

PCG – ‘The Philippine Coast Guard’; Philippine Maritime law enforcers.

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LIST OF REFERENCES:
[1.] DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION OF AN AUTOMATED INVENTORY 
CONTROL SYSTEM FOR NIGERIAN BREWERIES PLC, ENUGU BY IDEM 
IDORENYIN ANTHONY 2012

[2.] DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF GPS ­BASED FERRY TRACKING 
SYSTEM
BY TIAMIYU TAJUDEEN OLALEKAN 

[3.] TRACKING AND MONITORING SYSTEM BASED ON LORA TECHNOLOGY 
FOR LIGHTWEIGTH BOATS BY SANCHEZ­IBORRA LIANO SIMOES COUNAGO
SKARMETA

[4.] https://travelista.club/guides/top­5­reasons­why­you­should­visit­cebu­
philippines/.com

[5.] https://www.lonelyplanet.com/philippines/the-visayas/cebu

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