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AIS as a SURVEILLANCE TOOL

An Automatic Identification System (AIS) is an automated tracking system that displays other vessels or vessels in the vicinity.

SOLAS Requirements

The IMO Convention for the Safety Of Life At Sea (SOLAS) Regulation V/19.2.4 requires all vessels of 300 GT and above engaged on international voyages and all passenger ships, irrespective of size, to carry AIS onboard.

What will appear on the Screen of your AIS

Vessels Info

-MMSI number

-IMO number

-Name and Call Sign

-Length and Beam

-Type of ship

-Ship’s position with accuracy indication

-Position timestamp (in UTC)

-Course Over Ground (COG)

-Speed Over the Ground

-Heading

-Bearing

- Range 

-Ship’s draught

-Type of cargo

-Destination and ETA

Facts about AIS 

How does the AIS system work?

AIS works by taking the vessel’s location and movements through its GPS or the internal sensors built into the AIS unit. It is fitted on ships for the identification of ships and navigational marks. However, it is only an aid to navigation and should not be used for collision avoidance.

The AIS onboard must be switched on at all times unless the Master deems that it must be turned off for security reasons or anything else.

Your ship also shows on the screens of other vessels in the vicinity, provided your vessel is fitted with AIS. If AIS is not fitted or not switched on, there is no exchange of information on ships via AIS.

TWO TYPES OF AIS

Class A: Mandated for all vessels 300 GT and above engaged on international voyages as well as all passenger ships.

Class B: Provides limited functionality and is intended for non-SOLAS vessels. Primarily used for vessels such as pleasure crafts.

AIS operates principally on two dedicated frequencies or VHF channels:

AIS 1: Works on 161.975 MHz- Channel 87B (Simplex, for the ship to ship)

AIS 2: 162.025 MHz- Channel 88B (Duplex for the ship to shore)

AIS AS A SURVEILLANCE TOOL

In coastal waters, shoreside authorities may establish automated AIS stations to monitor the movement of vessels through the area.

Coast stations can also use the AIS channels for shore to ship transmissions and to send information on tides, NTMs and located weather conditions.

To sum it up, the AIS only improves the safety of navigation by assisting the OOW/VTS.