This means “Automatic Identification System.”It is a system where all ships of 300 gross tons or more and passenger vessels are required to have an AIS transmitter (as of last summer, the PJ ferry did not have an AIS transmitter).When your boat has a properly equipped AIS receiver and is connected to a compatible display*, an icon for the transmitting vessel is displayed on your chart plotter and or radar screen.By interrogating the icon additional information is available such as ship name, course, speed, call sign, MMSI number and other information.Other AIS information typically available for the target is closest point of approach and time to closest point of approach. Indulgence has had AIS equipment for two years.I am able to see potential collision targets on the chart plotter much sooner than by eyeball and even by radar.I am able to see the targets identifying information such as vessel name and am able to hail; him by vessel rather than, “tugboat traveling west near Bridgeport.”
To equip your boat, you will need an AIS receiver (cost from $200 to $1000), and a VHF antenna.You can use your existing VHF antenna if you add a splitter.The receiver plugs into the NMEA port of your display at 38,400 kb/s.MAKE SURE YOU HAVE A COMPATIBLE DISPLAY OR NAVIGATION SOFTWARE.
You can now also get a Class B Transceiver.This will allow you to broadcast your information to other vessels as well as receive.This will make your vessel’s information available as described above.I have not used a Class B machine so I do not have any first-hand experience with it.You probably have to program them with your vessel’s information (name, draft, etc.) once, and then if you choose, destination, etc.
*AIS will work with Raymarine E, C and G series, Garmin 3000, 4000, 5000 series and Standard Horizon CP series.It will also work with most new navigation software programs on your PC.