Virtual AtoNs make mariners aware of an incident or hazard by marks presented on an electronic display, providing a timely warning of an incident before physical aids are deployed.
- Not a physical AtoN
- AIS broadcast by Base Station or other AIS equipped AtoN
Message 21: Aids-to-Navigation Report (carries AtoN position information) with virtual flag - Appears at specified location on the vessel's ECDIS, radar or other navigation display
- Clearly marked as Virtual AtoN
Incidents can be marked in a timely manner before physical AtoNs are deployed
Virtual AtoNs Applications:
- New wreck
- Uncharted hazard
- Virtual shipping lanes
- Floating debris
Duration until:
- replaced by real buoy;
- charted;
- wreck removed or dispersed
The figure shows an AIS base station which transmits information about
virtually marked hazards to a vessel. The bubble gives an indication of how
the information received will be displayed on a ship's ECDIS.
