AIS always on?

[sailorman]

Of course not, it's harmless fun. It meets the needs of the "look at me, I've got an AIS transponder" brigade, without unduly inconveniencing anyone else. Some of them even leave the marina on occasions.

I bet most also have Lycra clothing & ride peddle bikes

 

[johnalison]

I bet most also have Lycra clothing & ride peddle bikes

I bet I would look fantastic in Lycra, if only I could tear myself away from my AIS screen.

 

[GHA]

The AIS alarm on my plotter is permanently turned off. Wouldn't it be nice if leisure plotters could turn off Class B targets, like big ships can? (Waits for predictable flak and denials!)

In addition to that would you like the targets to automatically be turned on again and sound an alarm if they enter the acquisition zones you've set? (Like the big ships do).

 

[pvb]

In addition to that would you like the targets to automatically be turned on again and sound an alarm if they enter the acquisition zones you've set? (Like the big ships do).

No, I don't want to hear alarms, I'm quite happy to see a "dangerous" target flash silently on the plotter screen.

 

[GHA]

No, I don't want to hear alarms, I'm quite happy to see a "dangerous" target flash silently on the plotter screen.

Maybe speak with the designers then, big ships look like they don't have the choice.

Personally in the few places as busy as the solent I'd be ignoring any display and constantly looking around.

 

[pvb]

Personally in the few places as busy as the solent I'd be ignoring any display and constantly looking around.

Me too, AIS is only an aid to navigation, not the primary means.

 

[GHA]

Me too, AIS is only an aid to navigation, not the primary means.

Absolutely. Luckily the vast majority of big ships are very professional and know to use all available means so when in the very few places like the Solent where there can be a multitude of leisure AIS transmissions they still try not to hit us even though AIS is of limited use.

 

[salar]

My alarm goes off immediately I switch the unit on because of all the boats in the marina with their AIS on. Then once I am offshore I have to remember to turn the alarm on. When you are fishing it is good to have an indication of something coming your way a couple of miles out. One of the recent Garmin updates now allows alarms to be "always off" which is a help. I am glad I am not the only one who lumps AIS-in-marina owners in with MAMILs (middle aged men in Lycra).

 

[johnalison]

I am glad I am not the only one who lumps AIS-in-marina owners in with MAMILs (middle aged men in Lycra).

I am glad that in spite of occasionally leaving my AIS on when in harbour at home, and almost always when away, I am excused from your censure by the fact that I have never worn Lycra and it's a long time since I was desccribed as middle-aged. In fact, I am so senile that I still can't work out why some triangles on the shore can cause confusion to someone navigating on the water.

 

[RobbieH]

My electrics go on at the start of a cruise and off at the end. I trust them not to burn the boat down when we go ashore for a walk. My AIS stays on all the time, partly because it turns itself on anyway (firmware bug) and partly because my other half likes to follow our progress.

Yup, other half likes to follow my progress too. Currently transmitting on a mooring in Helford and she is monitoring from Belgium. I don't put the transponder in my pocket when I go to the pub.