AIS, do I need it? do you have it? is it of use?

[TrondS]

.... it’s quite surprising nowadays when you close with another vessel which doesn’t appear particularly when they emerge from the mist .... Hardly ever turn on radar though.

If you use the radar, you won't get those surprises. Not everyone use AIS, and class B signals and positions can be delayed by up to 30 seconds.


It appears the majority is focusing on seeing other vessels. But few comments about the importance of being seen by the other vessel.
AIS is not a toy as someone said earlier (hopefully as a joke?). AIS is designed as an anti collission aid. But it is of little use if boats are only fitted with a receiver, instead of a tranceiver.

On my boat, I use both AIS and radar 24/7 when underway, regardless of weather conditions. They complement each other well.

 

[Sandy]

If you use the radar, you won't get those surprises. Not everyone use AIS, and class B signals and positions can be delayed by up to 30 seconds.

Radar is expensive and takes time to learn how to use it.

After my Raytheon set, I'm pretty sure Noah had the same set on-board the Ark, finally died I was surprised at the cost of a Garmin replacement. Technology has moved on and it is easy to use. I wonder how many leisure sailors can run a paper radar plot?

It appears the majority is focusing on seeing other vessels. But few comments about the importance of being seen by the other vessel.
AIS is not a toy as someone said earlier (hopefully as a joke?). AIS is designed as an anti collission aid. But it is of little use if boats are only fitted with a receiver, instead of a tranceiver.

For most leisure vessels there are more than one set of eyes on watch. We can sail in the shallows where the big stuff does not go and there is no regulations requiring us to transmit AIS.

On my boat, I use both AIS and radar 24/7 when underway, regardless of weather conditions. They complement each other well.

They do complement each other, ideal if you are in a motor boat, but if you are in a sailboat will limited power generation there is a balance between power usage and generation. The radar is switched on when needed and while under power.

 

[TrondS]

Radar is expensive and takes time to learn how to use it.
Yes, it takes time. And a common mistake is to only use the radar "when needed in bad weather".

I wonder how many leisure sailors can run a paper radar plot?
Unfortunately not many. But luckily for the leisure sailors, modern radars can more or less do it for you.

For most leisure vessels there are more than one set of eyes on watch. We can sail in the shallows where the big stuff does not go and there is no regulations requiring us to transmit AIS.
True, you don't need to, nor are you required to, transmit. But if many "hide" and do it this way, AIS would be useless. It is almost as saying "I want to see you, but I don't want you to see me."
Depending of where in the world you are, it is not always possible to "sail in the shallows" away from the big guys.

 

[Irish Rover]

I came through the Corinth Canal and east through the Saronic Gulf a 5 years ago and had to cross the TSS. I had AIS receive only capability and with the amount of ship and fast ferry traffic I encountered I felt I would be more comfortable with transceive capability. I haven't really felt the need for it since until this year. I planned a trip from my home port in Türkiye to Pireaus, Athens, mostly solo, so I decided to fit a transceiver. It has been a big help and comfort in areas of heavy traffic and I feel I've had my money's worth already. As an added bonus, my nearest and dearest across 3 continents have been able to track my route and see where I am. This is particularly useful when I'm anchored out of reach of a phone signal.
So AIS is not essential but it's well worth the small investment and is definitely more useful and better value than many of the other gadgets many of us consider essential on our boats.

 

[ashtead]

I think it’s ease of use while sailing that recommends AIS and the info on screen.it’s just a shame more don’t invest in what is a basic safety item given the low cost for a sender unit at least but ideally to receive as well . Clearly in congested waters not so much use but even like simple things such as spotting where the lulworth gunnery patrol boats are and plotting a course around them it’s really helpful device . Many other benefits of AIS include its simplicity of use for all the crew,the separate marine traffic app on phone for others etc.

 

[Adios]

Quick question for the AIS fans. Say I don't want big brother following my every move to the nearest centimeter due to generally not being a fan of big brother but if I bought a boat with it on and used it just for crossing shipping lanes or only when I feel threatened by a ship. Would you imagine I would cause problems by turning it on and off. Would the coast guard start thinking I've sunk? Or get annoyed if I just pop up mid channel and they'd call me up?

I presume thats even possible or is it so integrated it usually can't be turned off without losing other things?

 

[PaulRainbow]

Quick question for the AIS fans. Say I don't want big brother following my every move to the nearest centimeter due to generally not being a fan of big brother but if I bought a boat with it on and used it just for crossing shipping lanes or only when I feel threatened by a ship. Would you imagine I would cause problems by turning it on and off. Would the coast guard start thinking I've sunk? Or get annoyed if I just pop up mid channel and they'd call me up?

I presume thats even possible or is it so integrated it usually can't be turned off without losing other things?

AIS usually (always ?) have a "silent" option. Flick a switch and it stops transmitting, but still receives.

I'd be surprised of the CG bothered that you went on and off.

 

[Poecheng]

AIS usually (always ?) have a "silent" option. Flick a switch and it stops transmitting, but still receives.

I'd be surprised of the CG bothered that you went on and off.

As Paul says.
Also, myy switchpanel has an isolating switch (breaker) for the AIS so I can choose whether it is on or not. Unless they have a particular reason for monitoring you, CG will have no idea you are out there and, losing you on AIS wouldn't even be noticed let alone be remarkable. You can choose when you have it on. THankfully we are pretty much each allowed to assess our own risk appetite in these areas and make our own decisions.

 

[Adios]

As Paul says.
Also, myy switchpanel has an isolating switch (breaker) for the AIS so I can choose whether it is on or not. Unless they have a particular reason for monitoring you, CG will have no idea you are out there and, losing you on AIS wouldn't even be noticed let alone be remarkable. You can choose when you have it on. THankfully we are pretty much each allowed to assess our own risk appetite in these areas and make our own decisions.

AIS getting common I wonder if it will start to look suspicious for a radar blip not to have it or to turn it off. In these days of people smuggling

 

[Poecheng]

AIS getting common I wonder if it will start to look suspicious for a radar blip not to have it or to turn it off. In these days of people smuggling

Don't think so - they can see you on radar if they want to. Many people have receive-only AIS and we small boaters are not expected to have a transceiver.

 

[ylop]

Quick question for the AIS fans. Say I don't want big brother following my every move to the nearest centimeter due to generally not being a fan of big brother but if I bought a boat with it on and used it just for crossing shipping lanes or only when I feel threatened by a ship. Would you imagine I would cause problems by turning it on and off. Would the coast guard start thinking I've sunk? Or get annoyed if I just pop up mid channel and they'd call me up?

I presume thats even possible or is it so integrated it usually can't be turned off without losing other things?

I think you are overestimating the CG's interest in your AIS signal! A VTS might find your transmission useful, but many expect you to call them on VHF anyway which the whole world can here.

I can't really see any benefit to switching it off in UK waters (there may be reasons where pirates etc operate). Just switching it on if you feel threatened by a ship seems like you've missed the opportunity - had she seen you sooner perhaps she would never have been threatening.

AIS getting common I wonder if it will start to look suspicious for a radar blip not to have it or to turn it off. In these days of people smuggling

From what I see AIS transmission from pleasure vessels is still far from the majority. Given the cost, I'm not that surprised at that, there are other things to spend your £500 on that bring more immediate rewards, but if it does become normalised then eventually someone turning on and off may attract attention and perhaps Border Force might want to come aboard and check all is in order - certainly I'd expect it in other countries. AIS receivers are substantially cheaper (the cost of a good meal for the crew!), and give you more information to make decisions with, it's difficult to see why any boat with a modern plotter etc in the cockpit wouldn't add that to their armoury, especially if they are ever going to be out in poor vis, darkness etc.

It appears the majority is focusing on seeing other vessels. But few comments about the importance of being seen by the other vessel.
AIS is not a toy as someone said earlier (hopefully as a joke?). AIS is designed as an anti collission aid. But it is of little use if boats are only fitted with a receiver, instead of a tranceiver.

The vessels I am most worried about seeing early, I'm usually quite happy to duck out the way of. Assuming that I will be seen if I have AIS transmitting strikes me as a bit of a risk - it assumes an attentive watchkeeper. If there is such a person they'll likely have seen my boat (unless perhaps its dark and shore lights are confusing with my nav lights).