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  • AIS Systems

    AIS, the Automatic Identification System, similar to aviation transponder technology, provides the boater with the ability to broad cast his position obtained from his gps automatically over his VHF and similarly receive position information and have his plotted over on the GPS units of similarly equipped vessels. Helmar calls this the poor man's RADAR. Very cool in my view.



    What is AIS?

    AIS will place a triangular icon on the chart plotter’s screen that represents any vessel sending out AIS signals. This includes most commercial vessels, which are required by law to have it, as well as numerous recreational craft with owners who are discovering the safety benefits of AIS. Just place the chart plotter’s cursor on an AIS icon, and a list of valuable information unfolds. The ship’s name and radio call sign are shown. This means you can pick up a VHF and hail a specific vessel that may be posing a threat. Additional information includes the vessel’s length, beam and draft, its exact position, speed and heading, its rate of turn and even the calculated closest point of approach (CPA) and the time it will happen (TCPA). Commercial ships often also transmit vessel type, port of origin, destination and even the type of cargo, including hazardous materials.

    Since AIS operates on VHF frequencies, it can receive this vital information even though you may not see the vessel, such as when nearing the entrance to a marina or crowded commercial harbor or when there is boat traffic behind a low hill, building or other structure. In this sense, AIS can see targets that radar cannot.

    AIS Types
    There are two types of AIS: Class A and B transponders and receive-only sets. Class A is commercial grade, Class B the cheaper recreational version. Both not only receive AIS data but also broadcast information about your boat. A Class B-equipped boat should appear on the plotting screens of all other AIS-equipped vessels within about five to 10 miles. However, as with radar, you should never assume that another vessel has seen you and will take action to avoid a collision. But even a receive-only AIS receiver can help by making it easier to call the other vessel by name.

    AIS can be added to your boat in several ways. You may already have most of the equipment you need to enjoy AIS right now. Most recent multifunction GPS/chart plotter models, including those from Furuno (furuno.com), Garmin (garmin.com), Lowrance (lowrance.com), Raymarine (raymarine.com), Simrad (simrad-yachting.com), Si-Tex (si-tex.com) and Standard Horizon (standardhorizon.com), accept an AIS add-on module, though an additional VHF antenna or antenna splitter is needed. Most multifunction display manufacturers offer AIS add-on modules with receivers starting at about $500 and transponders at $900. Aftermarket black box receivers start at about $200 and transponders at $500, and all AIS gear tends to work well with other electronics because they all use standard National Marine Electronics Association (NMEA) data protocols. AIS units are also built into VHF radios and also stand-alone Class B transponders that have their own plotting. In any format, AIS is a great way to see and be seen.

    * * * * *
    Dave

    14 Skagit Sportster Blue (formerly red)
    16 Skagit Skimaster (blue)
    17 Skagit

    18 Skagit Runabout (1961?)

  • #2
    Good stuff Dave,
    I used to sell the older used radios at 2 nd wave and the RDFs or Radio Direction Finders would come thru every now and again.They had 5 antennas that looked like 4 dimensional Rabbit ears for a TV.
    The Fishermen would "evesdrop" on location by pointing the gizmos knob until the VU meter would spike,thus telling who was talking where....and probably on the crab or fish.
    Some guys swore by these things.....now they are modernized with multiple devices intertwined.
    TimM
    unk.year 10` Mahogeny "DragonFly"racer
    15` SAFE boat w/120 hp Johnson
    SeaRay 175BR
    Hi-Laker lapline
    14` Trailorboat

    Comment


    • #3
      I don't remember if those new style radios took a different antenna.??

      I kind of remember that most commercial boats were supposed to have these radios now.
      Helmar Joe Johanesen
      1959 Skagit 20ft Offshore, 1959 Skagit 16ft Skimaster,
      1961 17ft Dorsett Catalina.1958 Uniflite 17 ft
      Outboards: 2.5 Bearcats, 3 50hp White shadow Mercs
      2 40hp Johnsons, several smaller Old kickers for a total of 12

      Our Sister club
      http://www.goldenstateglassics.com

      Oh, and Where is Robin Hood when you need him??

      Comment


      • #4
        Automatic Identification System AIS

        The schooner Destiny I sailed on from San Diego to Cabo had an AIS transponder as did probably half of the 148 boats participating in the Baja Ha Ha. Was possible to keep track of the fleet, monitor their speed and heading as well as commercial fishing boats in the area, as well as ships and tankers.

        A very valuable navigation tool for offshore (coastal) cruising. The Garmin 7215 integrated navigation system was really fabulous. Also had a separate 5212 system at the navigation chart table.

        Amazing technology!
        Captain Tim (McSkagit) Jones 1959 Skagit 31 Saratogan

        http://www.closeencountersecotours.com

        Pay it forward.......take a kid for a boat ride

        Comment


        • #5
          I've studied the Garmin System in some detail.

          The 7215 is about the hotest rock out there. The high speed processor make response almost instantaneous.

          What else do they have on the system?

          Multi frequency DF and heavy transponder? Radar integration?

          With the proper engine you can also tie it in so engine data is real time on the screen as well, including A/P integration I believe.

          Very cool. Plan to put minature version on my 17 Skagit.

          Working on several products at work. If any pan out thinking about 31 moppie (based on your input) with twin Cummings. Prob about 25%. If it goes we can compare your vessel and the 31 SF as you suggest in a previous post. (No contest in my view in sea over 6". )

          :TakePicture1:
          Dave

          14 Skagit Sportster Blue (formerly red)
          16 Skagit Skimaster (blue)
          17 Skagit

          18 Skagit Runabout (1961?)

          Comment


          • #6
            Garmin 7215 aboard SV Destiny

            Yes, the Garmin 7215 aboard Destiny had all the whistles and bells. Radar, sonar, photographic overlay of harbors and ports, 3D perspective, 3D sonar, odometer,
            anchor alarm, anchor chain payout measurement, barometer, alir temperature, true wind direction, apparent wind direction, current direction and speed, water temperature, interface to autopilot, ability to steer to true wind direction (similar to a vane steering system) and many other features too numerous to mention. Amazing!
            Captain Tim (McSkagit) Jones 1959 Skagit 31 Saratogan

            http://www.closeencountersecotours.com

            Pay it forward.......take a kid for a boat ride

            Comment


            • #7
              The Admiral on this boat demanded the Garmin 7212, which is almost as nice as the 7215. It appears that for accurate RADAR overlay and MARPA functionality, you need the separate, 3 axis rate gyro/compass heading sensor - $899 list. There's no end in sight

              Comment


              • #8
                Dave, are you still checking in ?

                If I was to put a radio in my boat and wanted the AIS, I found most of them were RX only. Like it required a different AIS unit for TX.
                Is there a good combo that you know of ? Maybe a good Icom radio and a AIS RX /TX unit?

                I am sure you have already been looking at that stuff anyway.

                Hope all is well and you can get your boats wet this coming season.
                Helmar Joe Johanesen
                1959 Skagit 20ft Offshore, 1959 Skagit 16ft Skimaster,
                1961 17ft Dorsett Catalina.1958 Uniflite 17 ft
                Outboards: 2.5 Bearcats, 3 50hp White shadow Mercs
                2 40hp Johnsons, several smaller Old kickers for a total of 12

                Our Sister club
                http://www.goldenstateglassics.com

                Oh, and Where is Robin Hood when you need him??

                Comment


                • #9
                  Helmar, it seems you have asked what we engineers call a nontrivial technical question. AIS radios functionality is an augmentation to some VHF radios in that they offer it as either transmit/receive or receive only. The AIS signal is a coded signal now required to be transmitted by most commercial vessels (e.g. tankers, container ships, trawlers) which will be picked up and decoded by AIS equipped VHF radios. The problem you have is that now you have to have a way of displaying the position information. The way I am doing it and is often done is by position plotters which display charts that are referenced to GPS signals. Without a way to display relative position data interpretation of the position signal data is extremely technical and requires special charts, etc. I strongly suggest working with your electronics vendor and have him guarantee or at least demonstrate compatibility.

                  if it would ever stop raining long enough for me to get my boats loaded, it is my intention to join at some point. First will be the 16 Skagit, and then the 18 Skagit.
                  Dave

                  14 Skagit Sportster Blue (formerly red)
                  16 Skagit Skimaster (blue)
                  17 Skagit

                  18 Skagit Runabout (1961?)

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Wow, Thanks Dave
                    Man, you were right there watching. Glad your still here by the way !!

                    Most of us that have radios in our boats have the standard VHF I was wondering what might be a lessor expensive option to get into this.
                    Like what type of GPS/fish finder system has the capibilites of displaying the AIS information and what might be the lessor expensive AIS unit to put in line.

                    I am just thinking about this as I am sure this will come up. Allot of us can't spend as much time on the water as we want and when we do, it would be nice to know some of the least amount we can get by with to make that happen.
                    Helmar Joe Johanesen
                    1959 Skagit 20ft Offshore, 1959 Skagit 16ft Skimaster,
                    1961 17ft Dorsett Catalina.1958 Uniflite 17 ft
                    Outboards: 2.5 Bearcats, 3 50hp White shadow Mercs
                    2 40hp Johnsons, several smaller Old kickers for a total of 12

                    Our Sister club
                    http://www.goldenstateglassics.com

                    Oh, and Where is Robin Hood when you need him??

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      I find that I occasionally use the poor mans poor mans RADAR in the form of this site:
                      http://www.vesselfinder.com/

                      As long as you are near a cell signal and have a data plan, this is a great tool for locating and identifying vessels in your area. Unfortunately, it is technically receive only, so there is not broadcasting of our puny vessels to the big boys. Still, a good way to keep out of trouble
                      John Forsythe

                      '59 Bellboy 404 - Pretty Girl
                      Past Affairs:
                      '61 Marathon - Jammie Dodger

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Helmar,

                        it appeared to me that when the snow is falling, etc. that there is not as much activity on this site so rather than checking it every day I check it "periodically".

                        Thinking more about AIS systems, rather than try to receive AIS information and therefore attempt to plot it, the minimum configuration would be to have a transmitter (VHF radio) with a little red button on it. I believe the function of the little red button is to send the equivalent of a Mayday signal on channel 70 if memory serves that immediately notifies rescue services. Perhaps someone more familiar with this function can way in here. If you don't need AIS capability and are not required to carry it then the little red button is more than adequate.

                        Note the little red button:

                        [img] http://ts1.mm.bing.net/th?&id=JN.AuK...d=1.9&rs=0&p=0 [/img]
                        Last edited by DMCI; 05-07-2015, 12:44 PM.
                        Dave

                        14 Skagit Sportster Blue (formerly red)
                        16 Skagit Skimaster (blue)
                        17 Skagit

                        18 Skagit Runabout (1961?)

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Originally posted by TheBronze View Post
                          I find that I occasionally use the poor mans poor mans RADAR in the form of this site:
                          http://www.vesselfinder.com/

                          As long as you are near a cell signal and have a data plan, this is a great tool for locating and identifying vessels in your area. Unfortunately, it is technically receive only, so there is not broadcasting of our puny vessels to the big boys. Still, a good way to keep out of trouble
                          I use marinetraffic.com. I haven't used vesselfinder.com, so I don't know how they compare. You can filter the type of vessel you want to see and even animate a vessel's track over the previous 24 hours. You do need a data connection. The attached image is a screen shot from my phone. I think I paid less than $5 for it. It doesn't seem to show Navy ships and most Coast Guard, so it might not be useful if you're a rum runner. The image does show the Henry Blake, but it's a larger boat with a crane, maybe a buoy tender. Why would the Coast Guard name a boat after a fictional army colonel?
                          Attached Files

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Originally posted by DMCI View Post
                            Helmar,

                            it appeared to me that when the snow is falling, etc. that there is not as much activity on this site so rather than checking it every day I check it "periodically".

                            Thinking more about AIS systems, rather than try to receive AIS information and therefore attempt to plot it, the minimum configuration would be to have a transmitter (VHF radio) with a little red button on it. I believe the function of the little red button is to send the equivalent of a Mayday signal on channel 70 if memory serves that immediately notifies rescue services. Perhaps someone more familiar with this function can way in here. If you don't need AIS capability and are not required to carry it then the little red button is more than adequate.

                            Note the little red button:

                            [img] http://ts1.mm.bing.net/th?&id=JN.AuK...d=1.9&rs=0&p=0 [/img]
                            My radio does that Mayday signal if I press it but I was looking for the ad on of the stand alone AIS unit to work with some sort of inexpensive monitor system
                            Taking that poor mans radar a step further.
                            Maybe I should ask the question this way.
                            What is the least expensive way to have a AIS system
                            Helmar Joe Johanesen
                            1959 Skagit 20ft Offshore, 1959 Skagit 16ft Skimaster,
                            1961 17ft Dorsett Catalina.1958 Uniflite 17 ft
                            Outboards: 2.5 Bearcats, 3 50hp White shadow Mercs
                            2 40hp Johnsons, several smaller Old kickers for a total of 12

                            Our Sister club
                            http://www.goldenstateglassics.com

                            Oh, and Where is Robin Hood when you need him??

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              Originally posted by Stan D View Post
                              I use marinetraffic.com. I haven't used vesselfinder.com, so I don't know how they compare. You can filter the type of vessel you want to see and even animate a vessel's track over the previous 24 hours. You do need a data connection. The attached image is a screen shot from my phone. I think I paid less than $5 for it. It doesn't seem to show Navy ships and most Coast Guard, so it might not be useful if you're a rum runner. The image does show the Henry Blake, but it's a larger boat with a crane, maybe a buoy tender. Why would the Coast Guard name a boat after a fictional army colonel?
                              See, I had No idea things like this was even available.
                              Could I be the only one that didn't know this I wonder.

                              Thanks Guys
                              Helmar Joe Johanesen
                              1959 Skagit 20ft Offshore, 1959 Skagit 16ft Skimaster,
                              1961 17ft Dorsett Catalina.1958 Uniflite 17 ft
                              Outboards: 2.5 Bearcats, 3 50hp White shadow Mercs
                              2 40hp Johnsons, several smaller Old kickers for a total of 12

                              Our Sister club
                              http://www.goldenstateglassics.com

                              Oh, and Where is Robin Hood when you need him??

                              Comment

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