AIS On Ships Is Important To Safe Travel
Arny Baker | June 19, 2010Automatic Identification Systems, or AIS, are electronic transponders that are placed on ships or boats that identify it by name, position, type, & call sign. The signal is VHF that is continuously sent out over the course of the vessel’s travels.
This VHF signal is valuable because it relays information to other ships about its course and speed. As the VHF signals come in, the receivers are able to display all AIS-equipped vessels that are transmitting within a certain range. It helps to reduce the chances of collisions on the water by moving water vessels that have the systems. . The information that is received by other AIS-enabled boats is primarily viewable on a personal computer monitor or positioned as an overlay on a chart plotter. This will help to confirm radar readout.
Ship captains use these devices to help make vital waterway navigation decisions so as to reduce the risk of collision. This technology aids in marine search and rescue operations by finding the exact location of a vessel that is in distress regardless of what time of day or the the weather conditions..
Avoiding collisions by programming of specific vessels is information that is exchanged automatically by the systems allowing for safer navigation. Ships with over 300 tons of cargo & all passenger ships are required by the International Maritime Organization to be fitted with the marine guidance system. Recreational boaters are not required by law to use the technology, but the maritime technology is increasing in demand by those users. Worldwide, 40,000 vessels are thought to be equipped with this special marine technology. The numbers are increasing everyday.
Without a doubt, the technology’s primary use is to prevent collisions. It is not a perfect system all in itself. There are known limitations of VHF radio communications, not to mention that not all vessels are fitted with the transponders. It really is just an added tool to that helps determine risk of maritime collision. It is definitely not an automated collision avoidance system as specified by the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGS).
During sea navigation, identifying other ships in the area is crucial for captains to make the best decisions on any voyage. That likewise does not mean that all other forms of navigational observation is thrown away. There is, obviously, visual observation in which the captain will often use binoculars to find far away obstacles or ships. There can also be audio observational alerts that a captain must pay attention for such as sirens, whistles, or VHF radio. Finally, there is radar or Automatic Radar Plotting Aid (ARPA) that can offer important navigational data to add to what the AIS is plotting. Even with all this kind of technology, incidents can even now happen. It is often because of time delays and limitations of radar or even just plain human error when this takes place. The graphical charts and all the other observational tools must be utilized if water travel is to be safe and AIS is a small part of that.
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