Important Navigation Routes defining boundary of policy PS2 in the East Inshore and East Offshore marine plans

asNeeded

Please note the following limitations to this dataset: The data is modelled in part as well as utilising data from AIS (Automatic Identification System) systems. These systems use VHF signals and shows the location and type of vessel. VHF signals are limited by line of sight range due to the curvature of the Earth which means this data is limited to being collected within 30 nautical miles of any receiver. Anatec have receivers collecting data along the coast and on oil and gas platforms meaning areas outside these are modelled. The modelled information that Anatec use is formed of estimates using known ship routing frequencies which ANATEC collect in their Ship Routes database. The data in the inshore and around oil and gas infrastructure (where ANATEC have AIS receivers logging traffic) will be far more reliable than offshore locations which will be purely estimates based on common ship routing. When calculating ship density, the movements of non-routine traffic such as fishing vessels, as military vessels, tugs, dredgers and recreational craft are excluded. The data represents the best available annual dataset for shipping held by Anatec at time of commissioning, however shipping data is dynamic and its reliability will tend to reduce over time. Anatec advises that data is valid for a period of 12 months from commissioning. This data should be viewed alongside policy PS2 in the East Inshore and East Offshore marine plans.