A marine ship tracking system automatically and accurately monitors ship
movements utilizing a limited number of reports from a marine ship and is
easily installed and operated. Ships utilizing the marine ship tracking
system periodically transmit reports to a remote tracking center. A ship
sends a report to the remote tracking center when there is a significant
change in the ship's movement or position, or if a predetermined amount of
time has elapsed since the ship last sent a report to the remote tracking
center. The report includes current ship information, such as current
position and current movement information. Because the ship sends a report
each time a significant change in movement occurs, the remote tracking
center may accurately extrapolate the position of the ship between the
transmissions of the reports. In this manner, the remote tracking center
may retain an accurate history of the ship's position and movements at all
times.