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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is the Automatic Identification
System (AIS)? Automatic Identification Systems (AIS)
technology relies upon global navigational positioning systems,
shipboard sensors, and digital VHF radio communication equipment
operating according to standardized digital communication
protocols that permit the voiceless exchange of navigation
information between vessels and shore-side vessel traffic
centers. The information is continually updated in near real-time
and received by all AIS-equipped ships and shore stations
in its vicinity.
What types of information is
made available by the Automatic Identification System and
what are the advantages of installing the AIS?
The AIS provides mariners with accurate navigation
information, such as:
- Static Information—Vessel call sign, name, IMO identification
number, dimensions, type;
- Voyage-Related Information—Draft, cargo type, destination,
and estimated time of arrival; and
- Dynamic Information—Time in universal time, coordinated,
latitude/longitude position, course over ground, speed over
ground, heading, rate of turn, navigational status.
In addition, shore stations will be able to relay pertinent
navigational data from other sources, such as the National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Physical
Oceanographic Real Time System (PORTS) and
U.S. Coast Guard Vessel Traffic Centers. The advantage
of an automatic and continuous exchange of information is
that all can access it and since it is digital data, software
can be modified to the mariner’s requirements by the manufacturer
thus reducing the need for voice radio exchanges.
In addition, the AIS enhances the mariner’s situational awareness,
permits more effective and reliable passing arrangements,
and provides the Coast Guard with a comprehensive and informative
traffic image and maritime domain awareness not possible with
radar or video surveillance alone.
How will the Automatic Identification
System help to increase security? The Coast Guard
believes that the AIS will improve security by increasing
the Coast Guard’s awareness of vessels in the maritime domain,
especially vessels approaching U.S. ports. The AIS corroborates
and provides identification and position of vessels not always
possible through voice radio communication or radar alone.
How much will the Automatic Identification
System cost? An approved AIS can range in price between
$1500 and $5000, not including installation cost which will
vary considerably depending on the level of integration of
the AIS with other shipboard systems (e.g. radar, speed log,
rate of turn indicator, navigation positioning system, ECDIS,
etc.)
What is the Automatic Identification
System (AIS) Rule? The U.S. Coast Guard has developed
rules applicable to both U.S. and foreign-flag vessels that
require owners and operators of most commercial vessels to
install and use the AIS. The AIS rule is part of our domestic
and international effort to increase the security and safety
of maritime transportation. See 33
CFR parts 26, 161, 164, and 165.
When do AIS regulations become
effective? AIS Regulations became effective November
21, 2003. All vessels required to have an AIS as denoted in
33 CFR § 164.46(a),
must have a USCG 'type-approved' and 'properly installed'
AIS on the vessel no later than December 31, 2004.
Who is affected by the Automatic
Identification System Rule? Owners and operators
of U.S. or foreign-flagged vessels in commercial service who
meet the applicability provisions are affected. Generally
these include:
- Vessels on international voyages that are:
- Self-propelled commercial vessels of 65 feet or more
in length, other than fishing vessels and passenger vessels.
- Tankers.
- Passenger vessels that are over 150 gross register tons.
- Vessels, other than passenger vessels or tankers, over
300 gross tons.
- Vessels operating within U.S. Vessel Traffic Service or
a Vessel Movement Reporting System area denoted in 33
CFR 161, that are:
- Self-propelled commercial vessels of 65 feet or more
in length, other than fishing vessels and small passenger
vessels certificated to carry 150 or fewer passengers.
- Towing vessels of 26 feet or more in length and more
that 600 horsepower.
- Passenger vessels, regardless of size, certificated
to carry more than 150 passengers for hire.
The terms herewith are as defined in 46 USC 2101, unless
noted in 33 CFR § 164.46.
Note: the term fishing vessels does not include fish processors
or tender vessels. See 33 CFR, Part
164.46.
When must the Automatic Identification
System be installed on vessels? Vessels on international
voyage must install the AIS as specified in the SOLAS
Regulation V/19.2.4 implementation schedule adopted by
the International Maritime Organization, but, no later than
31 December 2004; as do vessels on domestic voyage within
a U.S. Vessel Movement Reporting System or Vessel Traffic
Service Area.
When must AIS be in operation?
Vessels equipped with AIS (either by mandatory carriage or
voluntarily) must abide by the requirements set forth in Title
33, Code of Federal Regulations, §§ 164.46
and 161.20, and should especially ensure their AIS is in 'effective
operating condition’, which entails the continuous operation
of AIS and the accurate input and upkeep of AIS data fields
during all times that the vessel is navigating (underway or
at anchor). Should continual operation of AIS compromise the
safety or security of the vessel or where a security incident
is imminent, the AIS may be switched off. This action and
the reason for taking it must be reported to the nearest U.S.
Captain of the Port or Vessel Traffic Center and recorded
in the ship's logbook. The AIS should return to continuous
operation as soon as the source of danger has been mitigated.
Does the installation of the
Automatic Identification System require additional equipment
in order for the AIS to operate properly? Maybe.
Most AIS do not need additional equipment (sensors) in order
to operate; a few however, do require interfacing with an
external global navigation positioning device (e.g. dGPS,
GPS, GLONASS) in order to accurately calculate and broadcast
position, course, and speed--thus requiring this equipment
to properly operate. Although not required for the operation
of AIS, Chapter V, Regulation 19 of the Safety of Life at
Sea Convention (SOLAS), as stated in 33
CFR § 164.46(a)(2), does require certain vessels--those
on international voyage--to also interface other onboard equipment
(i.e. transmitting heading device, gyro, rate of turn indicator)
to the AIS; domestic vessels, not on international voyage,
are not currently required to do so, however are highly recommended
to.
Will it be necessary to have
electronic navigational charts for use with the Automatic
Identification System? Eventually. Section 410 of
the Coast Guard and Marine Transportation Act of 2004 (P.L.
108-293) directs the Coast Guard to prescribe regulations
that will require most commercial vessels "while operating
on the navigable waters of the United States...be equipped
with and operate an electronic chart system (ECS)"; and,
that this system be integrated with AIS. A rulemaking implementing
this additional requirement is in development and is expected
to be published later this year (2006). Till these regulations
are finalized, AIS is not required to be displayed on an ECS
or other external display system; although it is highly recommended.
The full benefits of AIS are only achieved when it is fully
integrated and displayed on other shipboard navigation systems
(e.g. Electronic Charts Data & Information System (ECDIS),
ECS, Radar, Automatic Radar Plotting Aide (ARPA), Tracking
Devices, personal software, etc.).
If a fishing vessel has a Vessel
Monitoring System (VMS) that provides vessel identification
and location data, is the VMS an acceptable substitute for
the AIS? No, it is not. The AIS and VMS are not inter-operable,
each uses different communication systems, protocols, and,
reporting rates that make them incompatible. Read
more
Are there alternatives to the
Automatic Identification System rule for small businesses?
No, there are no special provisions or alternatives
in the AIS rules for small businesses. See
Small Entity Compliance Guide to AIS.
Is the Coast Guard considering
requiring the Automatic Identification System for domestic
voyages outside of VTS areas? Yes. The Coast Guard
announced its AIS regulatory intent through a Public Notice
Request
for Comments and conducted a series of public meetings
in New Orleans, La, New Bedford, MA and Seattle, WA requesting
the public’s input on how to expand AIS carriage. To view
this Docket,
search term '14878'. Further, on October 31st, 2005 the Coast
Guard announced, in the Fall 2005 Unified Federal Regulatory
Plan, its plans to expand Automatic Identification System
carriage requirements. Read
more...
Why have some AIS units stopped
broadcasting valid position reports?
On February 27th, 2008 the GPS constellation increased to
32 satellites (PRN 32) thus providing a 5% increase in satellite
availability and DOP (dilution of precision) world-wide. It
has come to our attention that some (non-USCG type approved)
AIS units—particularly old equipment which is non-compliant
with the GPS interface standard (IS-GPS-200)—cannot
recognize this additional satellite and subsequently are unable
to calculate a position and broadcast a valid AIS Position
Report. Note, the reported malfunctioning units do continue
to receive position reports and are able to send and receive
AIS text messages. Owners of AIS equipment denoted at http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/lnm/Saab_R3_AIS_prob.htm,
however, should be aware that their internal GPS systems may
not act as a proper—timing or position—back-up
under certain circumstances, i.e. when in view of PRN32. AIS
users must ensure their units have or are interfaced with
a properly operating Electronic Position Fixing System at
all times. GPS and/or AIS problems should be reported via
the
NAVCEN website or via phone to the USCG Navigation Information
Service at 1-703.313.5900.
To
Pose a Question not found here or to Report and AIS Problem
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