The automatic identification system (AIS) is an automatic tracking system that
uses transponders on ships and is used by vessel traffic services (VTS). When satellites are used to
detect AIS signatures, the term Satellite-AIS (S-AIS) is used. AIS information supplements marine
radar, which continues to be the primary method of collision avoidance for water transport. [citation needed]
Information provided by AIS equipment, such as unique identification, position, course, and speed,
can be displayed on a screen or an ECDIS. AIS is intended to assist a
vessel's watchstanding officers and allow maritime authorities to track and monitor vessel
movements. AIS integrates a standardized VHF transceiver with a positioning system such as
a GPS receiver, with other electronic navigation sensors, such as a gyrocompass or rate of turn
indicator. Vessels fitted with AIS transceivers can be tracked by AIS base stations located along
coast lines or, when out of range of terrestrial networks, through a growing number of satellites that
are fitted with special AIS receivers which are capable of deconflicting a large number of signatures.
The International Maritime Organization's International Convention for the Safety of Life at
Sea requires AIS to be fitted aboard international voyaging ships with 300 or more gross
tonnage (GT), and all passenger ships regardless of size.[1] For a variety of reasons, ships can turn
off their AIS transponders.[2]
APPLICATIONS
1. COLLISION AVOIDANCE
2. Fishing fleet monitoring and control
3. Maritime security
4. Aids to navigation
5. Search and rescue
6. Accident investigation
7. Ocean currents estimates
8. Infrastructure Protection
9. Fleet and cargo tracking
AIS uses the globally allocated Marine Band channels 87 & 88.
AIS uses the high side of the duplex from two VHF radio "channels" (87B) and (88B)
Channel A 161.975 MHz (87B)
Channel B 162.025 MHz (88B)
AIS transmitter will send out messages using one of the following schemes:
1. ITDMA (Incremental time division multiple access)
2. RATDMA (Random access time division multiple access)
3. FATDMA (Fixed access time division multiple access)
4. SOTDMA (Self-organizing time division multiple access)
An AIS transceiver sends the following data every 2 to 10 seconds depending on a vessel's speed
while underway, and every 3 minutes while a vessel is at anchor:
The vessel's Maritime Mobile Service Identity (MMSI) – a unique nine digit identification number.
Navigation status – "at anchor", "under way using engine(s)", "not under command", etc.
Rate of turn – right or left, from 0 to 720 degrees per minute
Speed over ground – 0.1-knot (0.19 km/h) resolution from 0 to 102 knots (189 km/h)
Positional accuracy:
Longitude – to 0.0001 minutes
Latitude – to 0.0001 minutes
Course over ground – relative to true north to 0.1°
True heading – 0 to 359 degrees (for example from a gyro compass)
True bearing at own position. 0 to 359 degrees
UTC Seconds – The seconds field of the UTC time when these data were generated. A
complete timestamp is not present.
In addition, the following data are broadcast every 6 minutes:
IMO ship identification number – a seven digit number that remains unchanged upon transfer of
the ship's registration to another country
Radio call sign – international radio call sign, up to seven characters, assigned to the vessel by
its country of registry
Name – 20 characters to represent the name of the vessel
Type of ship/cargo
Dimensions of ship – to nearest meter
Location of positioning system's (e.g., GPS) antenna on board the vessel - in meters aft of bow
and meters port or starboard
Type of positioning system – such as GPS, DGPS or LORAN-C.
Draught of ship – 0.1 meter to 25.5 meters
Destination – max. 20 characters
ETA (estimated time of arrival) at destination – UTC month/date hour:minute
optional : high precision time request, a vessel can request other vessels provide a high
precision UTC time and datestamp
