During the last months of 2023 and in the beginning of 2024, the CISE-ALERT Project has moved forward with the preparation for the operational trials execution, which will demonstrate, for a period of 6 months, the real live use of the Common Information Sharing Environment – CISE.
In this period, the Consortium has focussed on finalizing the Concept of Operations (CONOPS) and the Operational Plan (OPLAN) for the trials and the definition of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). The implemented activities helped to identify the operational needs of the partners in the context of the trials and to define how the tests will be performed and assessed.
The KPIs, provided under Work Package 2 (WP2) - Services Definition, are based on the expected results during the testing and production phases and will be a valuable tool in the management of the trials and the overall operational activity of the project. For the purpose of the different trials, a KPI can take the form of a questionnaire or, even better, a measurement of effectiveness on expected results with metrics, which could be adjusted, pursuant to the needs of the first tests.
Under Work Package 3 (WP3) – Services implementation, the Consortium continued its work on the development of the modules, that will enable the project partners to operate in the CISE environment. The gap analysis conducted in the last months by the partners, has provided a clear picture of the state of work. The activities were carried out in close coordination with the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) and the results were presented during the CISE-ALERT Consortium Meeting, held in Athens, Greece on the 5th of December 2023.
Under WP 3, in December 2023, the work on the building blocks definition and development has also started. In the next months, the focus of WP3 will be on the preparation of the last part of the package regarding the operational configuration and organization and will on the partners’ adaptor releases.
During the first month of 2024, the primary task of Work Package 4 (WP4) - Endurance Trial preparation was the preparation for the upcoming Basic Training, scheduled in the first week of February 2024. This involved meticulous planning to ensure the training content aligns with the project's objectives and the End-Users' needs. A critical aspect of this preparation was the crafting of comprehensive Training Material, a vital component that will be incorporated into the Training Booklet.
At the same time, the partners, involved in the implementation of WP4, prepared the first draft for the Operational Plan. The document encompasses a detailed description of the Greek Trial, a pivotal phase set to unfold in the Aegean Sea, Ionian Sea, and the Adriatic Sea. The trial will feature active participation from Bulgaria, Greece, and Italy, providing a robust example that can inform the design of subsequent trials. Co-funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
The Operational Plan outlines key scenarios, methodologies, and success metrics for the trial, setting the stage for a comprehensive evaluation of CISE-ALERT's capabilities in diverse maritime environments. This will serve as an example for composing the rest of the trials. The OP will be further refined through the involvement of all project partners, who will gather insights, align strategies, and ensure that the plan is robust, realistic, and reflective of the project's overarching goals.