AIS

I found it very informative to be able to take a look and see, in seconds, the major ship traffic in the bay while in fog. Not something to watch constantly but knowing in better than guessing IMO.

Knowing what and where I'm looking for on the radar may be informative, we'll see.
 
It is informative. Radar picks up everything, AIS will tell you what is a THREAT. Also AIS often has a longer range than radar. I've had the AIS pick up ships that were beyond radar range.

In traffic situations it allows you to call a specific vessel by name, not just "ship on my port bow". Years ago I've tried that and gotten replies from the wrong vessel; not only confusing but potentially dangerous.
 
quote:
Originally posted by Billylll

AIS doesn't load up the bridge with another display Pascal. It integrates with your chartplotter and VHF radio when properly wired and configured in a networked system. You can always turn it off if seeing little triangles (vessels) is too much for your brain to handle.
Bill

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I know AIS is integrated and not a separate display, my concern is distraction and time spent looking at data I don't need. Those 2 seconds spend selecting the target and reading the data are 2 seconds not spent looking outside or looking at the radar.
 
quote:
Originally posted by stmbtwle

It is informative. Radar picks up everything, AIS will tell you what is a THREAT. Also AIS often has a longer range than radar. I've had the AIS pick up ships that were beyond radar range.

In traffic situations it allows you to call a specific vessel by name, not just "ship on my port bow". Years ago I've tried that and gotten replies from the wrong vessel; not only confusing but potentially dangerous.

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Can you explain why you would want to pick up a ship that s beyond normal radar range when running in dense fog?

As to getting the name to call a ship, most of the time you don't need to... Why would you? It s not like you re going to ask that big tanker to change course...
 
We have had this system im ham radio for a few years now. In our world it is called the APRS system. Google it. We can have it onboard our boats, in our cars, RVs, aircraft, walk with it. As long as another participating ham radio station hears the transponder linked to your GPS it is put out on the net.

Many of the recieving fixed stations have weather stations linked also which can be very handy.

I guess it won't be long before the system is offered as an option for anyone for their cars. Great way to keep track of where your newly licensed teenager is.
 
We have had (at) Roads service in all our company trucks for years. It tells us when the driver starts the truck and the time of every stop. It is also a great IRS log and notifies our operations manager when trucks are due for oil changes and safety checks.
I am also familiar with the ham radio version which is not legal for commercial use being a ham. I have found APRS like AIS on my boat to be a great indicator for extended VHF propagation.
Bill
AA2UK
 
Plain old radar tells you what is a threat, and ARPA radar tells you with all the accuracy of AIS. Oh, and it tracks non-AIS transponding boats as well. Again, AIS one of those things that is very ice to have, but at this point not something I characterize as a need to have. And if you are using it in lieu making full use of the tools already available to you, perhaps dangerous to have.
 
It could not be long before some ATON will be fitted with AIS transponders, but with budget restraints who knows when. In the not so distant future look for virtual and synthetic generated AIS targets.
 
Kayaks do not have AIS sending units. They are my biggest worry when running at dusk. I worry that AIS breeds over confidence about knowing what is out there, when you really don't. I have fortunately spotted the heads of goofball jet skiers floating sans jetski in a narrow channel, several grey, brown or green kayaks paddling at dusk, never mind numerous logs or jetskis runnning in the dark with no lights.

I agree with Pascal and others, about the importance of looking outside rather than at the video game machine, which is increasingly what the nav units are becoming. I don't worry too much about running into a container ship. And, they don't worry too much about running into me, because many harbor pilots of the big ships TURN OFF the AIS units, as they regard it as a distraction.
 
All you really need is a magnetic compass, accurate time piece, sextant, sight reduction tables, a sharp pencil, a lead line, and few competent sailors with good eyes and hearing.
 
quote:
Originally posted by L. Keith

It could not be long before some ATON will be fitted with AIS transponders, but with budget restraints who knows when. In the not so distant future look for virtual and synthetic generated AIS targets.

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RACON's for the modern world?
 
quote:
Originally posted by Hyperfishing

Kayaks do not have AIS sending units. They are my biggest worry when running at dusk. I worry that AIS breeds over confidence about knowing what is out there, when you really don't. I have nearly missed the heads of goofball jet skiers floating sans jetski in a narrow channel, several grey, brown or green kayaks paddling at dusk, never mind numerous logs or jetskis runnning in the dark with no lights.

I agree with Pascal and others, about the importance of looking outside rather than at the video game machine, which is increasingly what the nav units are becoming. I don't worry too much about running into a container ship. And, they don't worry too much about running into me, because many harbor pilots of the big ships TURN OFF the AIS units, as they regard it as a distraction.

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My wife is my spotter using the FLIR shows Kayaks, and even people in the water. We never run on plane at night. Doing so is a disaster waiting to happen.
Bill
 
quote:
Originally posted by Hyperfishing

I agree with Pascal and others, about the importance of looking outside rather than at the video game machine, which is increasingly what the nav units are becoming.

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Funny, "playing video games" is exactly how I put it - but in regard to the operator, not the device. I'm still much more comfortable with the old green screen, PPI type RADAR display, but I see a lot of utility in the newer technology. ARPA and AIS tagging are really cool features, and sometimes very useful, but ultimately, it's the operator that matters. The devices aren't distracting - they are inanimate pieces of equipment. It's the operators that can be distracted.

I'm a firm believer that there can be no hard and fast protocol for safe, effective piloting and navigation. Nor can there be any particular formula for using, integrating, and interpreting the information from electronic navigation tools. Good, safe, effective piloting and navigation is a synergistic result of using all available tools, including the human senses, in their proper capacities, to keep the sharpest possible situational awareness. Clear, FAC day, I likely would not be using the same tools in the same manner as I would be with a light tow 500 feet astern in nasty weather at night in wind driven fog.

Modern RADAR's and plotters DO have an overwhelming range of capabilities, but they are used - or not used - at the discretion of the brain connected to the finger that pushes the buttons. RADAR/chart overlays can be turned off (and should, in most instances, be cast into the deepest fires of hell, in my opinion), AIS tagging can be shut off, ARPA vectors and data boxes can be turned off, range rings can be turned off (but why?). It can also be turned back on. I haven't yet found the AIS on the boats I run to be a distraction, except for the little thought in the back of my mind that my boss, and his boss, and his bosses bosses and their boss, can see exactly where I am at any given time.
 
Mike

AIS is not going to be a distraction in your case because you have a pro crew on board and you are trained to work as a crew. Very different from Joe Boater who rarely runs in restricted visi and can only rely on himself

Same with flir to some extent you need to weigh the benefits vs the time you take yours eye off the water and it depends on the conditions.
 
Thats right Pascal your always right shame on me I forgot!
Can you read I mentioned my wife is my watch?
This thread has turned absurd!
Bill
 
Agree with Bill.................. I just asked about the AIS.

Not for an all over the map wild goose chase about everything but AIS.
 
"Can you read I mentioned my wife is my watch? "

yes, that's what i meant by "it depends on conditions". i meant light condition, weather and crew.

jacko, you may want to read the thread, it has been focused on AIS until FLIR was brought up, and that include the risks associated with trying to use non necessary equipment.

I dont' know how much experience you have with running in very restricted visibility but when you can barely see past your bow, your workload increases drastically and i cant imagine even wasting a fraction of a second reading the name and heading of a ship 2 miles away. My eyes are glued to the fog bank ahead of the boat and spend a little time as possible inside.
 
Pascal not only did I start the thread I have read it a couple of times.

:)

Oh and by the way I like the Idea of a FLIR system too, How cool for running at night.

But really I was trying to figure out if the ASI is worth having to add to the new boat being I am replacing most of the electronics while I am in the upgrade mode.
 
I'd be looking at a properly tuned radar display or two, not the fog bank. AIS helps you to know the name of the vessel you are crossing, passing or overtaking so that when you make an agreement with XYZ vessel, you are sure of who you are speaking with on the radio. You need to be talking with any ship/vessel just 2 miles away in limited visibility.
 
Actually radar was brought up prior to FLIR, let's set the record straight. If all boats were equipped with AIS it is superior to radar for vessel to vessel position. If you want to talk about a system full of bugs with a big learning curve Radar would be on the top of the list for difficulty to operate and get used too. Many people don't even realize for very slow speed or socked in conditions you need a position/ heading sensor on your radar for it to be accurate. I have a commercial radio telephone license w/radar endorsement so I know what I am talking about. The FLIR was only mentioned when the topic came to seeing a Kayack or person in the water at night again the FLIR is far superior to radar for this task. Tell me does the CG use thermal imaging or radar when looking for a missing person in the water at night?
Pascal we have had our debates one where you said WiFi wasn't really to useful on a boat until you tried a ROGUE.
I respect you but you or I are not always correct we have opinions that differ, I would like to leave it at that.
Bill
Bill
 
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