Automatic Identification System Course (AIS)

OBJECTIVE

•       Safety of life at sea
•       Safety and efficiency of navigation
•       Protection of the marine environment

THE PURPOSE OF AIS

The purpose of AIS is to help identify vessels, assist in target tracking, simplify information, exchange and provide additional information to boost situational awareness. In general, data received via AIS will improve the quality of information to assist situation awareness as well as improve the quality of the information to the OOW.

PRINCIPLE OF AIS

The principle of AIS is to allow automatic exchange of shipboard information from the vessel’s sensors – inputted static and voyage related data – between one vessel and another and between a vessels and a shore station (s).

Its Principal Functions Are To Facilitate:

Information exchange between vessels within VHF range of each other, increasing situational awareness management in congested waterways.  Automatic reporting in areas of mandatory and voluntary reporting. Exchange of safety related information between vessels and shore station (s).