Total Maritime Surveillance- An Integrated Approach

Abstract

The vision of the Sri Lanka Navy with regard to Maritime surveillance is to be able to detect, identify and classify all players in the maritime domain within Sri Lankan Exclusive Economic Zone. The major threats perceived in this area are human and arms smuggling piracy, poaching, Illegal migration and maritime terrorism. This paper proposes an integrated approach that aims to achieve the vision of total maritime surveillance using five distinct but integrated methodologies. They are Surveillance using Coastal sensors, Surveillance using fleet sensors, Human intelligence, Maritime intelligence (Commercial) and Through data from other government organizations such as SLAF, Police, Fisheries, Coast Guard, Customs, UDA, Survey department etc. The comprehensive analysis of the capabilities, limitations and challenges in implementing these methodologies has been considered in the paper. The concept of total maritime surveillance can be formed on five pillars mentioned above, which need to be seamlessly integrated to ensure all maritime threats are fully detected, analyzed and classified so that a suitable response mechanism can be formed by the responding agencies that have the jurisdiction and responsibility at each unique scenario. In conclusion, the paper will propose a joint operational structure that can be set up to ensure "Total Maritime Surveillance" in Sri Lanka by utilizing an integrated approach.