The objective of this effort was to build and deliver a machine voice translation system that would enhance Maritime Intercept Operations (MIO) forces ability to communicate with merchant ship personnel prior to and during MIO boardings.
In July 1998 the Defense Advanced Project Agency (DARPA) delivered and fielded a machine voice translation system for use by MIO forces conducting inspection boardings in the Northern Arabian Gulf (NAG). Designated the DARPA One-way, the system was used by boarding personnel to enhance communications with non-English speaking merchant crews during boarding operations. This message highlights the successful use of the DARPA One-way for MIO and provides comments and recommendations for system refinements and improvement.
In support of United Nations sanctions against Iraq, U. S. Naval Forces conduct MIO
against ships entering and leaving Iraqi 
territorial
waters. A suspect ship is typically hailed by radio and directed to a boarding site. Navy
and Coast Guard personnel then board the ship and inspect cargo and pertinent paperwork
for any sanctions violations. Upon completion on the inspection, the ship is released to
proceed to its next port.
Generally, all communications is done in English or by using various forms of sign language. For most merchant ship crewmembers English is, at best, a second language. A better means of communications between U. S. Forces and foreign ships’ personnel is needed.
The DARPA One-way makes it possible to
conduct one-way translation of vocal English language input into a different language for
vocal output. For example, a member of a Navy boarding party in the Arabian Gulf could
ask: "Do you have any cargo bound for Iraq onboard?" The system would then
produce the proper output phrase in the target language such as Farsi or Arabic. The
responding individual could then give a simple yes/no voice response or use head or hand
movements to answer. For MIO the DARPA One-way would be used to:
 | Conduct radio communications. Initial contact with a suspect merchant vessel is made via voice radio in English using standard MIO phrases. If the vessel fails to respond or has difficulty understanding English, the equivalent phrase is activated on the DARPA One-way and played in one of the four prerecorded languages. |
| Give directions and obtain required MIO information. Once onboard the suspect vessel,
the boarding team inspects the
vessel and reviews appropriate paperwork. The DARPA One-way will be used to assist in the
inspection. |
| Gather intelligence by the boarding team. During the vessel inspection, the boarding team can carry on low level discussions with crewmembers to gather useful information. The DARPA one way should enhance the boarding team’s ability to converse with the crew and record their responses. |
The MIO specific DARPA One-way system consists of commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS)
hardware and voice recognition and translation software developed by Dragon Systems, Inc.
The language module consists of approximately five hundred
phrases and words translated into the four most common languages used in the Gulf:
Arabic, Farsi, Hindi and Urdu. A two pound, 5x8 inch Toshiba
Libretto 100CT with a 166 MHz processor runs the software. A sensitive
noise-canceling 
microphone
is used for speech input, and a small speaker is used for translation output.
The DARPA field engineer initially trained the USCG Law Enforcement Detachment (LEDET)
personnel on the operation of the DARPA One-way in Bahrain. Basic training took less than
two hours. The LEDET and field engineer were helo transported to the USS BRISCOE (DD 977)
to support MIO conducted in the NAG. USCG LEDET personnel
and the field engineer accompanied BRISCOE boarding teams and field tested the DARPA
One-way. General inspection boardings and health and comfort boardings of impounded ships
were conducted. Boardings were conducted during the day in very hot and humid conditions.
The DARPA One-way was used to communicate with merchant vessels officers and crews.
Since most of the ships’ masters 
and
engineers spoke passable to good English the DARPA One-way was not needed to communicate
with them. However, it was used effectively to communicate with non English speaking crew
members in all four recorded languages
During the boardings, better translations for some of the phrases were identified. Using native speaking crew members the phrase databases were updated on the fly. After the initial boardings the DARPA One-way systems were transferred to the LEDET personnel for continued use and evaluation.
The prototype DARPA One-way enabled MIO forces to communicate with non-English speaking merchant crew members in a way that was not possible before. There are, however, areas of improvement that should be addressed if the system is to be used operationally on a continuing basis.
The Libretto computer functioned well as a COTS computer. Its size and weight were
good, and it did not hinder boarding 
operations. For transit in the RHIB, the Libretto was placed in
a carrying pouch to protect it from spray. The microphone and speaker worked, but were
flimsy office quality hardware that would not hold up under prolonged operational use.
Additional work needs to be done to ruggedize the hardware for extended operational use.
The overall performance of the DARPA One-way software was impressive; however as a beta version there are a number of bugs that need to be addressed. On occasion the software locked up and the software needed to be reloaded or the computer rebooted. Also, the software required the operator to interact with the computer’s screen prompt via pointer of keyboard input while conducting a dialog. After initial setup, when using the system for MIO all commands and prompts should be via microphone and speaker.
The MIO phrases were reasonably complete. It is important to be able to add additional phrases as contingencies arise.
After initial background noise calibration the phrase recognition was very good as long as the operator spoke clearly and waited for the screen prompt. If the operator spoke hurriedly (as may be the case in a charged environment) or did not wait for the screen prompt recognition was much lower. If the operator does not speak the phrase exactly there is a good possibility that it will not be recognized or incorrectly translated. The "verify mode" is useful for insuring the correct translation. Phrase verification through the headset rather than the speaker would be better.
Minimal training (less than two hours) was required to train LEDET personnel in the basic operation and use of the DARPA One-way.
The DARPA One-way clearly demonstrated the potential and value of machine voice translation for MIO. The system, with minor improvements, could be used as is. COMUSNAVCENT/COMFIFTHFLT and the USCG LEDET strongly support continued DARPA One-way development and refinement, and anticipate using the system in the future.
For additional information contact Ace Sarich, Marine Acoustics, Inc. 410/757-5358; e-mail: ace@sarich.com