Capt. John Konrad over at gCapatin, asked me to chime in on the AIS discussion. AIS (Automatic Identification System) is a radio signal that transmits navigation info about vessels in close proximity to each other, and to land based stations. Coast Guard information on the workings of AIS can be found here.
Currently gCaptain and Panbo are featuring articles on a new (Class B) generation of AIS for recreational vessels that is on the verge of FCC approval. The new Class B AIS, while not as robust as the Class A for the big guys, has potential when used by an individual with training. The Coast Guard (Homeland Security) would like to see all recreational vessels have AIS capability. The thought is that another USS Cole incident could possibly be avoided on our home shores. AIS picked up steam after 9-11, and was adopted by the IMO as a recognition system for vessels in transit.
Most recreational boaters, when given the vast amount of information that is available today, loose situational awareness, basically the ability to see the big picture. Too many recreational folks already pilot a chart plotter, with little awareness of what is going on outside the pilothouse or cockpit. I dare say that most recreational boaters can not plot a CPA on their radar, let alone realize that a radar displays relative motion.
AIS in the hands of a recreational boater who may not know the rules, is of little use. Put yourself at the helm of a container about to cross the Columbia Bar, just off buoy 10, and you get the idea, that AIS for little guys, provides TMI.
As the proverbial mouse in the back of the room at a CG hearing, I can only imagine the Master or Pilot of a Container trying to explain how AIS is not another form of Lookout, provided for in the ColRegs.
In the hands of a serious yachter, AIS has a place. Inthe hands of the recreational boater, resources would be better spent in basic safety training. AIS in the hands of a would be terrorist (who would just disable it,) makes even less sense.
-----
December 12, 2007 update:
In an unrelated story don't miss Bob Couttie's Maritime Accident Casebook post on a pirate's use of AIS.
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
AIS - A Mixed Blessing
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
2 comments:
(who would just disable it,) <---Good Point!
...and thanks for helping out with this!
-John
gCaptain.com
((who would just disable it,) <---Good Point!) <--- Actually they wouldn't even need to disable it. Disabling would just draw attention to them. What difference would it have made if the small boat that bombed the Cole had an AIS installed and operating? It would just make it easier to identify the name of the boat after it was blown to smithereens! AIS will not prevent suicide bombers.
Post a Comment