and how does it work? What is AIS
With more and more leisure boats venturing further from their local shores, safety is paramount. Leisure boat users may be sailing in the same waters as large commercial vessels and will need to have their position and information noted to avoid any collision. This is what AIS (Automatic Identification System) does.
How AIS Works AIS works by taking your position and movements via the vessel’s GPS system or an internal sensor built into an AIS unit. That information is then collated along with programmable information from the AIS unit (e.g. Maritime Mobile Service Identity (MMSI) number, vessel name, destination, cargo type) and is transmitted in the background at regular intervals whilst also receiving other vessels AIS information. The AIS unit can have its own separate antenna or an
antenna splitter can be used from the antenna the VHF radio transmits from. If an antenna splitter is used, it must be an active splitter suitable for a VHF radio and AIS transponder. AIS information provides an overview of every large and potential hazard transmitting via AIS relative to your own vessels’ position. This will be displayed either on a chart plotter showing the positions of the other vessels or on a radar display. Depending on the type of chart plotter or display you are using, you can have the
option to select the other vessels information to view their MMSI number and call them directly through the VHF radio.
Shore based stations also have equipment that receive AIS transmitted information and display it on an electronic chart showing ‘traffic’ within the waters near them. These stations can monitor the vessels and provide added safety as they have the ability to call ships directly and warn them of potential hazards.
The Report • December 2020 • Issue 94 | 83
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