Cargo, Clearances, Visas, etc.

[kaladorn]

Working on a Merchanter campaign, some issues have come up. Thought I'd quiz the Brain Trust (ie you lot) on the matter for some thoughts.

1. Cargo.

One suggestion is cargo (particularly freight) is sealed at source and opened at destination. But how does that work? I'm a ship Captain... I sure as heck don't want to bring unknown cargo aboard with no inspection. I'm responsible legally for what is on my ship. So do I inpect it? Does this violate customs? If not, am I not liable for what is in it? (Just moving a sealed package around)? What if I'm not qualified/equiped to inspect it (Bioagent contents or other Hazmat stuff)? How does the legal side of things mesh with the practical here? How are the rights of shippers and buyers and ship's crew protected in this case?

2. Visas and traffic patterns

I don't want to let just anyone land just anywhere they want in a system. I expect (as traffic control authority, probably also SPA or maybe Navy if there is controlled space) a legit ship to be transponder active the minute they jump in (well, maybe a bit of leeway for safety scans of nearby space). I expect them to make contact with traffic control soon (now, how does this work with varying levels of avialable comm tech - is there an interstellar regulatory regime that requires X Y or Z comms systems of A B or C ranges aboard a vesel? If not, does the starport have to be capable of every kind of communication? And what are the required contact distances as you move in-system? If they are limited by available tech, that might be problematic. I assume I have to try to get in touch with traffic control authority (TCA) and get directions for behaviour in the local traffic grid (which may be quite busy). These could involve entry windows, course limitations, etc. I probably have to file a flight plan. At least in civilized regions. There will be rules for proceding in uncontrolled space (some place with only a beacon, etc). When do I have to undergo inspections? (inbound in space, on land, both)? Do I have to secure a landing permit or entry visa before arriving at a port? If so, what do I have to do to do so? What regulations govern the conduct of vessels in open space (uncontrolled) and within a traffic grid? (specifically what are the rules regarding communication, right of way, etc) When I land, what kind of permissions do I need to get to debark cargo? (quarantine? who does that inspection? source? destination? both? wouldn't this introduce big delays potentially?). Do I
submit my manifest while inbound? If so, that'd let them pre-process it, but it'd risk other folks getting a copy of it (even if it had crypto).

3. Leaving a planet must have many of the same issues, in reverse.

4. Is it unfriendly to actively scan someone? (In real life, a navy ship lighting up its search or firecon will flatten local civilian scanners, which is nasty, but the firecon could probably burn out local receivers too! And going active like that might *just* be considered hostile. Is that true in space?) When can you consider an unknown vessel a threat and what steps may you take to defend yourself? What distance away is a threat? What is the mandatory warning/escalation sequence? Who do you have to answer to if there is a shooting episode? etc.

Any thoughts welcome.

 

[Andrew Boulton]

1. Cargo.

One suggestion is cargo (particularly freight) is sealed at source and opened at destination. But how does that work? I'm a ship Captain... I sure as heck don't want to bring unknown cargo aboard with no inspection. I'm responsible legally for what is on my ship. So do I inpect it?

Only accept cargos from people you trust, with valid paperwork. If you open it and find, say, a load of fusion guns instead of the tins of spam you were expecting, you have no way of proving you didn't put it there.

2. Visas and traffic patterns

I don't want to let just anyone land just anywhere they want in a system.

A lot of this depends on the world in question, but in general:

- transponders should be on all the time

- Space Traffic Control will direct all traffic within 100d along flight lanes

- landing outside of star/spaceports is prohibited

- ships must carry adequate comms equipment. Transponder signal might include details, otherwise SOP is probably to try laser first, then radio if that fails.

- you must file a flight plan

4. Is it unfriendly to actively scan someone?

It's not polite. A brief ping is usually ok in some circumstances, but more than that is likely to piss people off. Actively scanning the Navy is not recommended...

OTOH, it's not unusual to be scanned *by* a passing SDB.

 

[kaladorn]

Originally posted by Andrew Boulton:
Only accept cargos from people you trust, with valid paperwork. If you open it and find, say, a load of fusion guns instead of the tins of spam you were expecting, you have no way of proving you didn't put it there.

I don't know. I just can't see this workable for something like the Imperium that wants to promote vast amounts of trade (it is a trade based Empire, really). I can see some bonded shippers setting up offices at every starport and having a principal function of packaging and getting goods ready for export, for a fee. But all manifests are going to have to be filled out and the customs authorities may well want to inspect the packages, so it strikes me that the Captain better have that capability too (or at least to know it was packed by someone he trusts with the lives of him and his crew, since that is in essence what failing to inspect would say!).

It seems to me there are two viable situation:
1) The laws are setup such that the shipper has
no responsibility for what is shipped (waivers
are signed, cargo is pre-packed and inspected
and post-inspected and any issues with contents
are then on the shipper and importer, rather than
the cargo hauler).
2) The laws make the shipper, buyer AND carrier
liable, and then the carrier will *demand* inspection rights. No Captain will risk his job,
his life, and the lives of his crew and passengers
by carrying things he can't trust or that will get
his ship impounded.

I think situation #2 is more likely but I suspect a formal process (like smart packages that record who opens them, how long they are open, and why and ship's internal log recorders tracking the opening and what was done/discovered, a lot like a US customs or coast gaurd team going aboard a vessel with cameras for their own legal protection) would be in place to protect the rights of shippers and buyers.

A lot of this depends on the world in question, but in general:

- transponders should be on all the time

- Space Traffic Control will direct all traffic within 100d along flight lanes

- landing outside of star/spaceports is prohibited

- ships must carry adequate comms equipment. Transponder signal might include details, otherwise SOP is probably to try laser first, then radio if that fails.

- you must file a flight plan

Concur, but what are minimums? How soon after system entry must I contact the local TCA? If I'm in dubious or uncontrolled space, how much leeway of action am I allowed (run silent, no transponder until scans are made)?

It's not polite. A brief ping is usually ok in some circumstances, but more than that is likely to piss people off. Actively scanning the Navy is not recommended...

OTOH, it's not unusual to be scanned *by* a passing SDB.

Is this the difference between active object
scan and active object pinpoint? (One tells you
'yes he's out there' the other says 'and this
is what the map of his hull looks like').

I don't know about you, but I'd be *real* nervous in the time of lightspeed weapons of vast destructive power when someone runs a detailed scan of me..... it's only one flinch and my ship is an expanding cloud of gas.

 

[Andrew Boulton]

As you say, trade *is* the Imperium. Anything that interferes with it must be avoided, (and is probably a serious crime). Trust is a vital factor. You can't let any old Tom, Dick, or Eneri go around opening (ie tampering with) cargos. The Navy and customs inspectors must be able to, but they'd need a good reason.

How soon after system entry must I contact the local TCA? If I'm in dubious or uncontrolled space, how much leeway of action am I allowed (run silent, no transponder until scans are made)?

They'll usually contact you when you reach 100d. Outside that, you're free to do what you like, unless it's a really busy system.

Turning your transponder off is illegal.

Is this the difference between active object scan and active object pinpoint?

Yes.

 

[kaladorn]

Originally posted by Andrew Boulton:
As you say, trade *is* the Imperium. Anything that interferes with it must be avoided, (and is probably a serious crime). Trust is a vital factor. You can't let any old Tom, Dick, or Eneri go around opening (ie tampering with) cargos. The Navy and customs inspectors must be able to, but they'd need a good reason.

Concur, but....

What prevents someone from putting a big arse bomb
aboard a FedEx plane nowadays? Or aboard a super
cargo ship? There must be some provision by which
a Captain can feel safe that he's not getting
such a thing done to him. And what about on those
planets with D, E or X starports? E especially still allows trade while not having (possibly) any human starport personel - it might just be a beacon. So, in these cases, the Captain probably has the right (reponsibility?) to investigate his cargo, no?

They'll usually contact you when you reach 100d. Outside that, you're free to do what you like, unless it's a really busy system.

Okay, but what about this:
What about systems with lower rated starports?
Or starports on low tech worlds? They wouldn't
have a high port and their downport's sensors
are going to be severely attenuated (not to mention expensive and huge) by atmosphere.
Or does the Imperium impose minimum requirements
(including possible off planet tech importation
for the star port) to get various starport ratings?

Turning your transponder off is illegal.

Even in territory where pirates are operating or where civil unrest is rampant? What about amber
zones?

Further, shouldn't a transponder be like an IFF?
It should respond to queries, but this serves
two purposes: 1) it lets the queried ship know that an authority has queried it (ergo somebody
is near) and 2) it still protects the Navy/etc.
because they should have no fear of querying ships
if operating in their own legal domain (same with
customs cruisers).

 

[Andrew Boulton]

Or does the Imperium impose minimum requirements (including possible off planet tech importation for the star port) to get various starport ratings?

Yes. It's the only way to explain worlds like Iddamakur in the Solomani Rim - class A starport, but only TL 7.

quote:
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Turning your transponder off is illegal.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Even in territory where pirates are operating or where civil unrest is rampant? What about amber
zones?

Further, shouldn't a transponder be like an IFF?

Turning off the transponder (to hide), or altering it (to pretend to be someone else) are common pirate tactics, therefore anyone who does it must be a pirate. If you're worried about pirates, then arm yourself, hire escorts, or don't go there.

IMTU, transponders work in two ways. First, they continuously transmit the ship's ID ("Hi! I'm the free trader Beowulf!"). Second, when interrogated by another ship or a starport, they return further data ("My Captain is Alexander Jameson, I'm registered on Regina, I'm going from x to y, and...")

 

[Anthony]

In terms of inspection: the shipping contract will specify what sort of inspection the shipping company is allowed to do. I doubt that contracts that specify no inspection are very common; I would not be surprised if most ships don't even accept such contracts for anything larger than mail. Typical inspection methods will be non-invasive, and will be chosen to be non-damaging to the declared contents of the cargo; there will also certainly be situations in which the shipping company is allowed to actually open cargo, along with extensive penalty clauses for shipping anything dangerous which wasn't properly declared (which is usually why cargo would be opened).

Other than that, the SPA is allowed to inspect cargo if they wish to, but usually don't; the world's custom service is allowed to inspect cargo when it leaves the extrality zone, and usually will unless the law level is very low.

 

[RainOfSteel]

In David Weber's On Basilisk Station, there are a variety of interesting, if peripheral, examples of what it's like to be a merchant who is caught with illegal goods on board.

 

[kaladorn]

Originally posted by Anthony:
In terms of inspection: the shipping contract will specify what sort of inspection the shipping company is allowed to do. I doubt that contracts that specify no inspection are very common; I would not be surprised if most ships don't even accept such contracts for anything larger than mail.

That certainly seems likely.

Typical inspection methods will be non-invasive, and will be chosen to be non-damaging to the declared contents of the cargo;

Like an MRI image or the like (unless marked 'do not image for fear of explosion')? This suggests several pieces of shipboard gear (and perhaps a bit of kit for the ship construction guide if you want it 'built in'). That'd be a fast way... that and something with a built in chem/bio sniffer.

there will also certainly be situations in which the shipping company is allowed to actually open cargo, along with extensive penalty clauses for shipping anything dangerous which wasn't properly declared (which is usually why cargo would be opened).

Forfeiture of cargo, perhaps other legal penalties if possible. Perhaps some sort of indemnity deposit or the like is left with the shipper? Won't apply to tramp freighters, but to regular lines with offices and the like?

Other than that, the SPA is allowed to inspect cargo if they wish to, but usually don't

Well, I'm thinking of places like type E starports where there might not BE any SPA.

But yes.

I assume the Imperium also has some Hazardous Materials Handling and Shipping Regulations. These would cover how things must be packaged, stored, what safety equipment must be aboard, etc. And this kind of thing should cost more $$$$.

 

[kaladorn]

Turning off the transponder (to hide), or altering it (to pretend to be someone else) are common pirate tactics, therefore anyone who does it must be a pirate. If you're worried about pirates, then arm yourself, hire escorts, or don't go there.[/QB]

Well, not to say the parallel is necessarily correct, but an analogous system of shipping exists today with no such requirement. That is to say, you have to carry hull numbers, etc, but you are not required to actively broadcast. You are, under some circumstances, required to show navigational lights, but this is for 'collision avoidance' reasons, not identification.

I can't see Merchants agreeing to being forced to yell out "Here I am, Mister Pirate! Come Get ME!" all the time. Especially in areas of the Imperium where even the Imperium admits it can't fully control the piracy.

If the transponder responds to an IFF Query, that is enough to prove that the ship in question has legitemate business. It can return its full particulars at that time (or whatever minimal set a transponder may be configured for).

Yes, not responding to an IFF-like query WOULD mark you as 1) having a malfunctioning transponder (an offense) or 2) being somebody intentionally blocking it... an offense or possibly a signe you are somebody who needs a bustin' on.

Even today if the CG hails you via comms and doesn't get you, they'll have to come in and resort to visual signals and loudhailers. They can't know you aren't a ship in distress with a broken radio. The future (in most non wartime cases) will be just the same.

Besides, by the time most SDBs, etc. uncloak to query, you'll be too close to want to run.... if you do try, you'll probably eat coherent light...

 

[kaladorn]

Add to my last:

The TCA for the area will hail you as soon as you near controlled space - be that a system range hail in high tech areas (Starport A) or be it something more limited (like when you get within 10D or 100D) on lower tech or more primitive installations. And it *will* include a transponder ECHO request. To which your transponder better fire back an ECHO REPLY with all the appropriate info, or you'll find system patrol vectoring in on you....

 

[Anthony]

Under many rulesets, there's no point to turning off your transponder unless you have extensive stealth capabilities (you're just plain visible). Any ship with stealth is pretty much automatically not a merchant, so ships don't really have to worry about being mistaken for pirates just because they don't have an active transponder.

Still, I suspect ships near planets with starports are expected to send out 'here I am' blips; it's the equivalent of running lights.

 

[kaladorn]

Well, depends on your ruleset and how good the other guys sensors are.

But the point I agree with - I assume *any* time you enter controlled space (that is within the traffic pattern of a local TCA), you absolutely HAVE to run your transponder and identify yourself in full to the TCA (and the transponder has to have enough info to let other shipping know if you're a 30 ton fighter or a 300,000 ton bulk ore carrier - I assume the Imperium has some practical local manouvering doctrines that apply just like real shipping on water does today).

 

[jchurchill]

As I posted elsewhere regarding charters, I have dealt with real life cargo. The paperwork that you need is the "bill of lading" showing what the cargo is and where you are taking it.

It functions as ownership receipt, proof of title to goods, evidence of condition of goods and as a negotiable instrument to convey ownership from one party to another.

Regarding inspection of goods: it is common to have a merchant marine type...usually someone with a master's license who is too old or tired to travel and doesn't want to contract veneral diseases on class C starports anymore to act as a cargo surveyor. [IMU at least] He/She/it inspects the cargo for insurance purposes and makes sure it is loaded in good order. His report is proof that no damage occured to the cargo on loading. When the cargo is discharged at the next port the bills of lading and an offload survey constitute proof that cargo was delivered propoerly and was not damaged in transit.

This system also gives down on their luck merchant types something to do until a better job comes along. Surveying cargo ops. It beats working as a B-girl at the aforementioned class C starport. ["Hello, sailor, new in town?"....the curtain descends on this ugly scene....]