1. What is the Automatic Identification System (AIS)?
2. What types of information is available with the AIS and what are the advantages of installing it?
3. How will the Automatic Identification System help to increase security?
4. How much will the AIS cost?
5. What is the AIS Rule?
6. When do AIS regulations become effective?
7. Who is affected by the AIS Rule?
8. When must the AIS be installed on vessels?
9. When must AIS be in operation?
10. Does the installation of the Automatic Identification System require additional equipment in order for the AIS to operate properly?
11. Will it be necessary to have electronic navigational charts for use with the Automatic Identification System?
12. If a fishing vessel has a Vessel Monitoring System (VMS), is that an acceptable substitute for the AIS?
13. Are there alternatives to the Automatic Identification System rule for small businesses?
14. Why have some AIS units stopped broadcasting valid position reports?
15. Why am I unable to see an AIS vessels' name or other static information (dimensions, call sign, etc.)?
16. Why do I sometimes see more than one vessel with the same MMSI or vessel name (i.e. NAUT)?
17. Do AIS Class B devices meet current USCG AIS carriage requirements?
18. I just purchased and installed an AIS Class B, will AIS Class A user ‘see’ me?
19. Is the USCG considering expanding AIS carriage to other vessels or outside of VTS areas?

1. What is the Automatic Identification System (AIS)? Automatic Identification Systems (AIS) technology relies upon global navigational positioning systems, shipboard sensors, and digital VHF radio communication equipment operating according to standardized digital communication protocols that permit the voiceless exchange of navigation information between vessels and shore-side vessel traffic centers. The information is continually updated in near real-time and received by all AIS-equipped ships and shore stations in its vicinity.

2.What types of information is made available by the Automatic Identification System and what are the advantages of installing the AIS?
The AIS provides mariners with accurate navigation information, such as:

• Static Information—Vessel call sign, name, IMO identification number, dimensions, type;
  
• Voyage-Related Information—Draft, cargo type, destination, and estimated time of arrival; and
  
• Dynamic Information—Time in universal time, coordinated, latitude/longitude position, course over ground, speed over ground, heading, rate of turn, navigational status.

In addition, shore stations will be able to relay pertinent navigational data from other sources, such as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Physical Oceanographic Real Time System (PORTS) and U.S. Coast Guard Vessel Traffic Centers. The advantage of an automatic and continuous exchange of information is that all can access it and since it is digital data, software can be modified to the mariner’s requirements by the manufacturer thus reducing the need for voice radio exchanges.
In addition, the AIS enhances the mariner’s situational awareness, permits more effective and reliable passing arrangements, and provides the Coast Guard with a comprehensive and informative traffic image and maritime domain awareness not possible with radar or video surveillance alone.

3.How will the Automatic Identification System help to increase security? The Coast Guard believes that the AIS will improve security by increasing the Coast Guard’s awareness of vessels in the maritime domain, especially vessels approaching U.S. ports. The AIS corroborates and provides identification and position of vessels not always possible through voice radio communication or radar alone.

4.How much will the Automatic Identification System cost? An approved AIS can range in price between $1500 and $5000, not including installation cost which will vary considerably depending on the level of integration of the AIS with other shipboard systems (e.g. radar, speed log, rate of turn indicator, navigation positioning system, ECDIS, etc.)

5. What is the Automatic Identification System (AIS) Rule? The U.S. Coast Guard has developed rules applicable to both U.S. and foreign-flag vessels that require owners and operators of most commercial vessels to install and use the AIS. The AIS rule is part of our domestic and international effort to increase the security and safety of maritime transportation. See 33 CFR parts 26, 161, 164, and 165.

6. When do AIS regulations become effective? AIS Regulations became effective November 21, 2003. All vessels required to have an AIS as denoted in 33 CFR § 164.46(a), must have a USCG 'type-approved' and 'properly installed' AIS on the vessel no later than December 31, 2004.

7. Who is affected by the Automatic Identification System Rule? Owners and operators of U.S. or foreign-flagged vessels in commercial service who meet the applicability provisions are affected. Generally these include:

• Vessels on international voyages that are:

• Self-propelled commercial vessels of 65 feet or more in length, other than fishing vessels and passenger vessels.
• Tankers.
• Passenger vessels that are over 150 gross register tons.
• Vessels, other than passenger vessels or tankers, over 300 gross tons.

• Vessels operating within U.S. Vessel Traffic Service or a Vessel Movement Reporting System area denoted in 33 CFR 161, that are:

• Self-propelled commercial vessels of 65 feet or more in length, other than fishing vessels and small passenger vessels certificated to carry 150 or fewer passengers.
• Towing vessels of 26 feet or more in length and more that 600 horsepower.
• Passenger vessels, regardless of size, certificated to carry more than 150 passengers for hire.

The terms herewith are as defined in 46 USC 2101, unless noted in 33 CFR § 164.46. Note: the term fishing vessels does not include fish processors or tender vessels. See 33 CFR, Part 164.46.

8. When must the Automatic Identification System be installed on vessels? Vessels on international voyage must install the AIS as specified in the SOLAS Regulation V/19.2.4 implementation schedule adopted by the International Maritime Organization, but, no later than 31 December 2004; as do vessels on domestic voyage within a U.S. Vessel Movement Reporting System or Vessel Traffic Service Area.

9. When must AIS be in operation? Vessels equipped with AIS (either by mandatory carriage or voluntarily) must abide by the requirements set forth in Title 33, Code of Federal Regulations, §§ 164.46 and 161.20, and should especially ensure their AIS is in 'effective operating condition’, which entails the continuous operation of AIS and the accurate input and upkeep of AIS data fields during all times that the vessel is navigating (underway or at anchor). Should continual operation of AIS compromise the safety or security of the vessel or where a security incident is imminent, the AIS may be switched off. This action and the reason for taking it must be reported to the nearest U.S. Captain of the Port or Vessel Traffic Center and recorded in the ship's logbook. The AIS should return to continuous operation as soon as the source of danger has been mitigated.

10. Does the installation of the Automatic Identification System require additional equipment in order for the AIS to operate properly? Maybe. Most AIS do not need additional equipment (sensors) in order to operate; a few however, do require interfacing with an external global navigation positioning device (e.g. dGPS, GPS, GLONASS) in order to accurately calculate and broadcast position, course, and speed--thus requiring this equipment to properly operate. Although not required for the operation of AIS, Chapter V, Regulation 19 of the Safety of Life at Sea Convention (SOLAS), as stated in 33 CFR § 164.46(a)(2), does require certain vessels--those on international voyage--to also interface other onboard equipment (i.e. transmitting heading device, gyro, rate of turn indicator) to the AIS; domestic vessels, not on international voyage, are not currently required to do so, however are highly recommended to.

11. Will it be necessary to have electronic navigational charts for use with the Automatic Identification System? Eventually. Section 410 of the Coast Guard and Marine Transportation Act of 2004 (P.L. 108-293) directs the Coast Guard to prescribe regulations that will require most commercial vessels "while operating on the navigable waters of the United States...be equipped with and operate an electronic chart system (ECS)"; and, that this system be integrated with AIS. A rulemaking implementing this additional requirement is in development and is expected to be published later this year (2006). Till these regulations are finalized, AIS is not required to be displayed on an ECS or other external display system; although it is highly recommended. The full benefits of AIS are only achieved when it is fully integrated and displayed on other shipboard navigation systems (e.g. Electronic Charts Data & Information System (ECDIS), ECS, Radar, Automatic Radar Plotting Aide (ARPA), Tracking Devices, personal software, etc.).

12. If a fishing vessel has a Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) that provides vessel identification and location data, is the VMS an acceptable substitute for the AIS? No, it is not. The AIS and VMS are not inter-operable, each uses different communication systems, protocols, and, reporting rates that make them incompatible. Read more

13. Are there alternatives to the Automatic Identification System rule for small businesses? No, there are no special provisions or alternatives in the AIS rules for small businesses. See Small Entity Compliance Guide to AIS.

14. Why have some AIS units stopped broadcasting valid position reports?
On February 27th, 2008 the GPS constellation increased to 32 satellites (PRN 32) thus providing a 5% increase in satellite availability and DOP (dilution of precision) world-wide. It has come to our attention that some (non-USCG type approved) AIS units—particularly old equipment which is non-compliant with the GPS interface standard (IS-GPS-200)—cannot recognize this additional satellite and subsequently are unable to calculate a position and broadcast a valid AIS Position Report. Note, the reported malfunctioning units do continue to receive position reports and are able to send and receive AIS text messages. Owners of AIS equipment denoted at http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/lnm/Saab_R3_AIS_prob.htm, however, should be aware that their internal GPS systems may not act as a proper—timing or position—back-up under certain circumstances, i.e. when in view of PRN32. AIS users must ensure their units have or are interfaced with a properly operating Electronic Position Fixing System at all times. GPS and/or AIS problems should be reported via the NAVCEN website or via phone to the USCG Navigation Information Service at 1-703.313.5900.

15. Why am I unable to see an AIS vessels' name or other static information (dimensions, call sign, etc.)?
Shipboard AIS units autonomously broadcast two different AIS messages: a 'position report' which includes the vessels dynamic data (e.g. latitude, longitude, position accuracy, time, course, speed, navigation status); and, a 'static and voyage related report' which includes data particular to the vessel (e.g. name, dimensions, type) and regarding its voyage (e.g. static draft, destination, and ETA). Position reports are broadcasted very frequently (between 2-10 seconds-depending on the vessels speed-or every 3 minutes if at anchor), while static and voyage related reports are sent every six minutes; thus it is common and likely that an AIS user will receive numerous position reports from a vessel prior to receipt of the vessels' name and type, etc.

16. Why do I sometimes see more than one vessel with the same MMSI or vessel name (i.e. NAUT)?
AIS users are required to operate their unit with a valid MMSI, unfortunately, some users neglect to do so (for example, use: 111111111, 123456789, 00000001, their U.S. documentation number, etc). A valid MMSI will start with a digit from 2 to 7, a U.S. assigned MMSI will start with either 338, 366, 367, 368, or 369. AIS users whom encounter a vessel using MMSI: 1193046 or named: NAUT should notify the user that their AIS unit is broadcasting improper data; see Nauticast AIS-MMSI Technical Bulletin [link to: http://www.acrelectronics.com/bulletins/mmsi.htm] for further information. All AIS users should check the accuracy of their AIS data prior to each voyage, and, particularly units that have been shutdown for any period of time. NOTE: If you are receiving (in range of) AIS reports from vessels using the same MMSI, they will appear as one vessel (jumping from position-to-position or line-to-line) on a graphical screen (e.g. ECS, ECDIS, radar) or on the AIS Minimal Keyboard Device (MKD).

17. Do AIS Class B devices meet current USCG AIS carriage requirements?
Although the Coast Guard encourages the wide use of AIS, we advise mandated AIS users that Class B devices do not meet current International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS V/19.2.4) or U.S. domestic AIS carriage requirements (33 CFR 164.46). The Coast Guard is in the process of expanding the current carriage requirements (to most self-propelled commercial vessels which navigate U.S. waters) and Class B devices will be permissible on some commercial vessels, however, not for all of them. Thus, we take this opportunity to inform prospective buyers, particularly commercial vessels that are highly maneuverable, travel at high speed, or routinely transit congested waters or in close-quarter situations with other AIS equipped vessels, that AIS Class A devices, albeit more expensive, are a better option and will meet any future requirements we may impose.

18. I just purchased and installed an AIS Class B, will AIS Class A users ‘see’ me?
Most , but, soon all will. Although all Class A devices will receive Class B information; unfortunately, some older Class A models are unable to display this information on their Minimum Keyboard and Display (MKD) or may only have available the Class B vessel’s dynamic data (i.e. position, course and speed) but not its static data (i.e. vessel name, call-sign). Therefore, the Coast Guard cautions new AIS Class B users to not assume that they are being ‘seen’ by all other AIS users or that all their information is available to all Class A users. Further, we exhort users of certain AIS Class A units to, as soon as practicable, update their MKD’s and/or other external navigation display systems (e.g. Electronic Charts Systems, Electronic Chart & Display Information Systems, radar, etc.) in order to view this new stream of valuable AIS information that will enhance navigation safety and mitigate the risk of collision. A rulemaking to mandate such an update is forthcoming. For a listing of Coast Guard type-approved AIS Class A units which require a firmware update in order to display AIS Class B information, click here.

19. Is the USCG considering expanding AIS carriage to other vessels or outside of VTS areas?
Yes. On December 16th, 2008 the Coast Guard published a proposed rule to expand AIS requirements, beyond Vessel Traffic Service (VTS) areas, to all U.S. navigable waters and require AIS carriage for additional commercial vessels, including commercial vessels carrying 50 or more passengers, fishing vessels 65 feet or greater, hi-speed passenger vessels, dredges and floating plants operating in or near channels or fairways, and vessels carrying or moving certain dangerous cargo. We invite you to visit www.regulations.gov to comment on our proposal and its significant changes to the current AIS requirements.

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