Who uses AIS?

Discussion in 'OnBoard Electronics & Controls' started by cthippo, Oct 20, 2010.

  1. cthippo
    Joined: Sep 2010
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    cthippo Senior Member

    Like thew title says, who uses it and what do you think of it?
     
  2. BTPost
    Joined: Dec 2009
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    BTPost Junior Member

    Every US Flagged, SOLAS Required Ship uses AIS... and it is for Shipping, what Transponders are to Aircraft....
     
  3. apex1

    apex1 Guest

    Not only US flagged, All Ships under IMO SOLAs use AIS.

    And I do.

    What is your question?
     
  4. cthippo
    Joined: Sep 2010
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    cthippo Senior Member

    How widely is it used by non-commercial vessels? Is it common in cruisers and passagemakers?
     
  5. apex1

    apex1 Guest

    Yes, long range cruisers have AIS today. The passagemakers we discuss on my threads will even have class A equipment as standard.
     
  6. fairbank56
    Joined: Dec 2008
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    Location: Maryland

    fairbank56 Junior Member

    Go to marinetraffic.com and see for yourself. More and more recreational boaters are using transponders as opposed to receive only as the price continues to drop and more models are available.

    Eric
     
  7. powerabout
    Joined: Nov 2007
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    powerabout Senior Member

    its a good system for yachties ( without radar)to know there is a larger vessel close by to get the **** out of the way so for that we have to thank homeland security for forcing the IMO to adopt an ill conceived, badly implemented system just so they could check on who was entering US waters.
    Like other systems there have been radio assisted accidents, radar assisted accidents and now there is AIS assisted accidents.
    Its a great tool to see if your mates vessel is in the same port as you can call and meet up
     
  8. apex1

    apex1 Guest

    The average yachtie cannot even operate by radar, so the AIS is just another gimmick, simulating a safety feature.
    For the skilled sailor it has some merits though, especially in mountaneous areas like the Agean Sea, or Kroatia.

    Richard
     
  9. RHough
    Joined: Nov 2005
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    Location: BC Summers / Nayarit Winters

    RHough Retro Dude

    Yes, being able to "see" a target that is blocked by terrain is very valuable. Knowing the Name, Call Sign, and MMSI # of the vessel is also handy.

    In the last couple of years I have seen more incorrect installations however. One night this summer we passed an AIS equipped vessel where the Heading information was 90 wrong. SOG and COG had them making 16 knots to starboard. Not to mention vessels at anchor reporting "Underway", and vessels doing 10-20 knots reporting "Moored".

    I've heard some people have the opinion that with AIS you no longer need radar. I do not agree. Having radar and knowing how to use MARPA plus AIS gives you a pretty good picture of what is going on around you.

    I haven't decided to get a transponder yet, but I probably will in the next few years.
     
  10. apex1

    apex1 Guest

    Most of those incorrect settings (the installation was probably right) are found on recreational craft and in the fishing fleet.
    That makes it another "Toy" in the hands of careless or ignorant skippers, decreasing the value for the commercial world and serious yacht operators.

    Personally I hate the idea of seeing the recreational fleet equipped with AIS transponders. That should not be allowed.

    The idiotic opinion that one can skimp on radar when the vessel is AIS equipped fits exactly in my opinion about such "skippers", ignorant, impertinent, dangerous. But I have heard that several times already. Wonder how such ******* navigates where only small craft, or no vessel is around? Sure not by charts.

    Regards
    Richard
     
  11. fairbank56
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    fairbank56 Junior Member

    In the U.S., end users are not allowed to program any data into their class B transponders. It must be done by the vendor or professional installer. There is no setting in regards to status being anchored/moored/underway. That is a function of the receiving stations software. It may show a class B vessel as unknown, or anchored/moored or underway based on the vessels movement.

    Eric
     
  12. Tim B
    Joined: Jan 2003
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    Tim B Senior Member

    Richard,

    Niether AIS, nor Radar are a substitute for a good lookout and a pair of binoculars. Electronic charts are not an excuse for poor navigation. Even I (who have never been on a navigation course) could estimate a position reasonably well in coastal waters!

    We need to separate the issues of electronic navigation from poor seamanship. Good seamanship is massively assisted by electronic aids. However, bad seamanship can only be improved by good teaching.

    So, do we need qualifications to go yachting? Teaching a sensible syllabus and made affordable, yes. After all, what's £50 for two evenings classes in basic navigation?

    Tim B.
     
  13. Submarine Tom

    Submarine Tom Previous Member

    Intelligent people interesting in living.

    -Tom
     
  14. mydauphin
    Joined: Apr 2007
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    Location: Florida

    mydauphin Senior Member

    Agreed, All these are great tools, but no substitute for looking out the window. In the Caribbean, since everyone travels through same roads in the ocean it is very easy to get run over by a container ship, or hit a floating container or a shallow in the middle of the sea. People just simply need to look out the window.
     

  15. Submarine Tom

    Submarine Tom Previous Member

    Your eyes and your chart are the primary navigational tools, however, the prudent skipper will use all means available to him or her. That includes radar on a clear, sunny day. In fact, as a commercial captain, it is my resposibility and obligation. AIS is simply another tool, how, or if, you use it, is up to you.

    -Tom
     
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