Automatic Identification System (AIS)

AIS is a VHF (Very High Frequency) radio

broadcasting system that enables the exchange of
information between ships and shore-based stations.

Coverage: 10-15 NM ship-to-ship

30-50 NM shore-to-ship

SOLAS regulation V/19 on Carriage requirements for

shipborne navigational systems and equipment
establishes the requirements for ships to carry AIS.
AIS
Automatic Identification System (AIS)
AIS is intended to enhance:

 safety of life at sea;

 the safety and efficiency of navigation,
including collision avoidance; and
 the protection of the marine environment.
Automatic Identification System (AIS)
The purpose of AIS is to:

 help identify vessels;

 assist in target tracking;
 simplify information exchange (e.g. reduce
verbal mandatory ship reporting); and
 provide additional information to assist
situation awareness.
Automatic Identification System (AIS)
Automatic Identification System (AIS)

Ships required to be fitted with AIS:

 ships of 300 gross tonnage and upwards

engaged on international voyages;
 cargo ships of 500 gross tonnage and
upwards not engaged on international
voyages; and
 all passenger ships irrespective of size.
Automatic Identification System (AIS)
AIS equipment installed onboard ships shall:

 provide information automatically to

appropriately equipped shore stations,
other ships and aircrafts;
 receive automatically such information
from similarly fitted ships;
 monitor and track ships; and
 exchange data with shore-based facilities.
Automatic Identification System (AIS)
Ships fitted with AIS shall maintain AIS in operation at
all times except where international agreements,
rules or standards provide for the protection of
navigational information.

AIS shall be operated taking into account the

guidelines adopted by the Organization (resolution
A.917(22), as amended by resolution A.956(23):
Guidelines for the onboard operational use of
shipborne automatic identification systems (AIS)).
How it works
AIS operates on two dedicated VHF FM radio
frequencies in the maritime mobile band:

 AIS1 (channel 87B – 161.975 MHz); and

 AIS2 (channel 88B– 162.025 MHz).

How it works
AIS uses a time-division multiple access (TDMA)
scheme to share the VHF frequencies.

Each of the frequencies are divided into 2250 time

slots that are repeated every 60 seconds (4500 in
total). Each time slot represents 26.6 milliseconds.
How it works
How it works
The AIS units send packets of information which are
transmitted on these ‘slots’, according to an
automatically determined time-ordered sequence

At the same time, AIS units in range are listening to the

timeslots, and can receive the information.

The time slots for AIS transmissions are all precisely

aligned to Coordinated Universal Time (UTC), provided
for by a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS)
receiver. This avoids the possibility of two stations
transmitting at the same time, in the same slot.
Information transmitted via AIS
 Static information (transmitted every 6 minutes
and on request):
 MMSI;
 IMO number (where available);
 Call sign & name;
 Length and beam;
 Type of ship; and
 Location of the position-fixing antenna on
the ship (aft of bow/ port or starboard of
centreline).
Information transmitted via AIS
 Dynamic information (rate of transmission
dependant on speed and course alteration):
 Ship’s position with accuracy indication and
integrity status;
 Position time stamp (in UTC);
 Course over ground (COG);
 Speed over ground (SOG);
 Heading;
 Navigational status (e.g. at anchor,
underway, aground etc. - this is input
manually); and
 Rate of turn (where available)
Information transmitted via AIS
 Voyage related information (transmitted every 6
minutes, when is data amended, or on request):
 Ship’s draught;
 Hazardous cargo (type);
 Destination and ETA (at masters
discretion); and
 Route plan (waypoints).

 Short safety-related messages (sent as required):

 Free format text message.
Reporting intervals
Reporting intervals for Dynamic Data on AIS Class A units:

Ship’s Manoeuvring Condition Nominal Reporting

Interval
Ships at anchor or moored and not moving faster 3 minutes
than 3 knots
Ships at anchor or moored and moving faster than 10 seconds
3 knots
Ship 0-14 knots 10 seconds
Ship 0-14 knots and changing course 31/3 seconds
Ship 14-23 knots 6 seconds
Ship 14-23 knots and changing course 2 seconds
Ship >23 knots 2 seconds
Ship >23 knots changing course 2 seconds
Types of AIS units for ship stations

 Class A: required to be carried on board ships to

which SOLAS regulation V/19 applies; and

 Class B: designed for ships such as pleasure

craft and fishing vessels. These units are
provides with less functionality than Class A
units, and do not necessarily meet all the IMO
performance requirements. They are designed
to operate co-operatively with Class A units.
Administrations can require the carriage of
Class B units as part of their domestic
requirements.
AIS Base stations
AIS Base stations are provided by an aids to
navigation authorities to enable the ship to shore /
shore to ship transmission of information.

Networked AIS Base Stations can assist in providing

overall maritime domain awareness.
Caution when using AIS
 Not all ships carry AIS.
 Other ships, in particular leisure craft, fishing boats
and warships, and some coastal shore stations
including Vessel Traffic Service (VTS) centres,
might not be fitted with AIS.
 AIS can also provide incorrect information if the
input data is wrong
Caution when using AIS
 Onboard AIS equipment should always be in
operation when ships are underway or at anchor.
However, if the master believes that the continual
operation of AIS might compromise the safety or
security of his/her ship, or where security incidents
are imminent, the AIS may be switched off.
Unless it would further compromise the safety or
security, if the ship is operating in a mandatory
ship reporting system, the master should report
this action and the reason for doing so to the
competent authority. Actions of this nature should
always be recorded in the ship’s logbook together
with the reason for doing so.
Questions?