GIAS

GIAS is a European project that began in April 2019 and ended in March 2022. Co-funded within the Interreg Italy-France Maritime 2014-2020, it aimed to improve the security of navigation in the sea in the cross-border area, especially in the Pelagos Sanctuary , in continuity with the goals of SICOMARplus project.

The project focused on the reduction of meteorological risk, such as the risk deriving from storms, as well as collision risks between boats and large obstacles (including the carcasses of cetaceans). For this first component, GIAS has developed modeling procedures for the forecast of low predictability meteorological phenomena. Its work on collision risks focused on developing bioacoustics detection systems to reveal the presence of cetaceans near harbor areas, so that sailors can be informed real-time thanks to artificial intelligence processes. Moreover, the project worked on the real time tracking of carcasses that could pose a threat to boats.

The project also worked on emergency management in the case of pollutant spillage in the sea. Partners worked on the development of a dynamic modeling to follow the dispersion of pollutants, in order to understand where to concentrate potential intervention efforts.

Within GIAS and in collaboration with Port Authorities, CIMA Research Foundation worked on the test and identification of tracking kits to be installed on adrift carcasses and send real-time information geolocation information. These kits are based on the Automatic Identification System (AIS), an automatic radio-tracking system used in navigation and on satellite systems. In this way, boats can be informed about presence and localization of the carcasses, avoiding collisions and resulting damages.