The International Maritime Organisation (IMO) mandated the use of AIS by all vessels covered by the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) convention (vessels over 300 tonnes or those carrying passengers) to be fitted by July 2004.
Typical AIS Traffic survey in Harwich Area. |
Dover Straits AIS Traffic survey |
The Automatic Identification System (AIS) was conceived as a means of communicating position and identity of ships to shore and to other vessels. The idea is that each vessel is uniquely identifiable and each vessel can see who is around them. However, it has been accepted from an early stage that AIS would have other roles, including that of an Aid to Navigation (AtoN). AIS enables the GLAs to ensure AtoNs are positioned in the correct place by reviewing vessel movements (see figures above). The use of AIS as an aid to navigation is developing in various ways and will be influenced by the changes taking place in other types of radio and radar aids and the trend towards integrated display technology. AIS as an Aid to Navigation will have safety benefits in the rapid marking of new hazards and providing relevant, unambiguous information to the mariner.
AIS can be used to provide:
- Virtual AtoN
- Synthetic AtoN
- AtoN AIS
Automatic Identification System (AIS) applications:
- Ship to shore
- Ship to ship
- Aid to navigation
- Traffic monitoring
