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AIS Lesson-04

AIS (Automatic Identification System) allows vessels to automatically transmit and receive identification and location data to improve maritime safety. AIS units take position and movement data from GPS and transmit it along with vessel details like name and destination to nearby ships. This information appears on displays to provide awareness of other vessels' positions to avoid collisions. Both commercial and recreational vessels use AIS, with commercial ships using higher power Class A units. AIS data can also be used for search and rescue if a crew member falls overboard and to track vessel movements online.

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58 views

AIS Lesson-04

AIS (Automatic Identification System) allows vessels to automatically transmit and receive identification and location data to improve maritime safety. AIS units take position and movement data from GPS and transmit it along with vessel details like name and destination to nearby ships. This information appears on displays to provide awareness of other vessels' positions to avoid collisions. Both commercial and recreational vessels use AIS, with commercial ships using higher power Class A units. AIS data can also be used for search and rescue if a crew member falls overboard and to track vessel movements online.

Uploaded by

Zobaer Ahmed
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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What is AIS & How Does It Work?

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
vessels’ 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.
AIS Classification:
There are 2 types of AIS classes used by ships, Class-A
and Class-B.
Class-A:
This class is used by commercial ships and they operate
on 12 watts while transmitting their information typically
every 2 to 12 seconds (depending on speed or if at
anchor) with a range of 20 miles or more if the right
antenna is fitted high enough. *
Class-B:
This class is used mainly by leisure boaters and operates
at a lower 2 watts, broadcasting less frequently (roughly
30 seconds) and has a range of 5 to 6 miles. *
*Transmit range only. Receiving range will vary.

Type of information transmitted: *****


AIS transponders typically transmit the following
information: ****
• Vessel name, MMSI number and call sign
• Type of vessel (such as passenger, cargo, fishing)
• Vessel’s position (current latitude and longitude)
• Course over ground (COG)
• Speed over ground (SOG)
• Heading from your vessel
• Closest point of approach (CPA) (distance)
• Time to closest point of approach (TCPA)
• Vessels’ dimensions (length, beam and draught)
Please note, type of information transmitted may differ
from Class-A and Class-B transponders.

Other Uses For AIS:

AIS has uses other than just for collision prevention.


Fishing fleets can contact other vessels within their vicinity
to warn of trailing fishing nets and suggest course
corrections to avoid entanglement.
AIS can be used in personal locator beacons for members
of a ship’s crew. If a crew member was to fall overboard
then a small transmitter worn by the crew would activate.
Their boat or another vessel will then see the bearing and
distance to the person in the water as the AIS information
will be displayed on their navigational equipment.

Also, anyone can track ships via AIS on the internet via
such sites like http:/www.marinetraffic.com. On a
commercial side, ship managers can track their fleet of
ships when at sea. On a leisure side, a relative or friend of
a person who is sailing could arrange to meet up at a port
or marina close to their current position or just check on
their progress.

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