GEM43
Well-Known Member
Why do so many people leave the ship's AIS continually transmitting? Even boats on the hard are transmitting. Why? Mine is switched off the minute we're not underway. I must be missing something?
AIS permanently on, do you?
- Thread starter GEM43
- Start date
Roberto
Well-Known Member
Proof of one's existence maybe 
I AIS, ergo sum.
I AIS, ergo sum.
wonkywinch
Well-Known Member
My AWB (2016 Beneteau) has the AIS hard wired to the battery bus switched only by the main switch. If I want to leave anything 12v on, eg auto bilge pump, fridge etc, then the AIS is also on.
Stupid design I keep meaning to modify.
Stupid design I keep meaning to modify.
johnalison
Well-Known Member
My AIS is also wired to the battery but has its own dedicated switch by the chart table. It requires an effort of attention to turn it off when leaving the boat and although I always intend to I can't say that there haven't been occasions when I have overlooked it.
GEM43
Well-Known Member
That's mad. Didn't realise manufacturers did that. A constant drain when anchored or moored. Not great.
Momac
Well-Known Member
I wired my AIS to a spare breaker switch so I do only have it on when under way and even then not on the river .
I guess I may occasionally accidentally forget to switch it off . But mainly I want the AIS off so as not to be a small demand on battery power.
But really what is the problem if people do leave their AIS on when in a marina?
P.S. ships do have their AIS on all the time including when in port.
I guess I may occasionally accidentally forget to switch it off . But mainly I want the AIS off so as not to be a small demand on battery power.
But really what is the problem if people do leave their AIS on when in a marina?
P.S. ships do have their AIS on all the time including when in port.
Boathook
Well-Known Member
I turned mine on when leaving the mooring and turned it off when moored up / anchored at my destination.
@Momac leaving the units on just swamps the system and clutters up the mfd screen as you approach the marina / anchorage. Its even worse if you have the course lines shown.
My raymarine eS plotter could only handle a certain number of AIS contacts.
@Momac leaving the units on just swamps the system and clutters up the mfd screen as you approach the marina / anchorage. Its even worse if you have the course lines shown.
My raymarine eS plotter could only handle a certain number of AIS contacts.
Minerva
Well-Known Member
Our AIS goes on when we are aboard and afloat; turn the systems on when we start the cruise and then only off when leave to go home. The only thing I turn on / off each evening / when anchored is the VHF.
GEM43
Well-Known Member
You leave your MFD(s) and nav instruments constantly powered? Do you anchor or mostly marina berthing?
dansaskip
Well-Known Member
It is turned off when on my mooring and of course when the boat is ashore or on the very rare occasions when in a marina. However when at anchor I leave it on as has an anchor watch mode which is very useful and of course is useful so that other boats coming into an anchorage at night and don't notice your riding lights will be warned of your presence by AIS (if they have it on off course) Actually its has also worked in my favour for me approaching an anchorage or even a harbour by giving you a direction and range to other boats - just another useful point od reference.
Minerva
Well-Known Member
Anchor and rarely visit Marina. modern power systems / solar so the trivial power the instruments consume is inconsequential. Occasionally turn chart plotter off, but it’s good to keep half an eye on swinging arc.
Momac
Well-Known Member
It seems to me the clutter aspect is really only a Solent issue . Maybe some other south coats areas also.
If you are anchored and not in a marina surely that would be a very good reason to leave the AIS on?
wonkywinch
Well-Known Member
B&G has a useful function where you can filter AIS targets so they only pop up if they are a danger and/or travelling greater than 2 knots etc.
PeterV
Well-Known Member
I’ve wired mine so I switch it on separately and have the option to transmit or just receive. Normally only used when outside the Solent.
billcole
Well-Known Member
Mine comes on with the other nav instruments, plotter, autopilot, wind,depth. It also has available a pair of contacts the you can put a switch across to make it stop tx but still rx (Digital Yacht AIT 1000) which the handbook says is to avoid unnecessarily cluttering other people's displays when moored up. I don,t have that switch at present
wonkywinch
Well-Known Member
That's a shame. I sail a lot in the Solent and use all available means to avoid other vessels. If I see you in the distance, AIS can provide a lot of useful info to me and help my decision making. It's a shame you choose not to use a useful tool for safety. You could leave it on tx/rx and just turn the AIS layer off on your plotter? Who knows, might even help you get rescued if you ever came to grief.
B&G have the same. I fitted a switch which I've labelled "stealth mode". Stops the missus seeing where I'm off to on the boat ;-)
SaltyC
Well-Known Member
I've wired my AIS to the plotter from which it gets position. The plotter is turned off in harbour / marina. Hence does not transmit. If anchored in remote places with possibility of dragging plotter is on Anchor alarm and AIS transmitting.
wonkywinch
Well-Known Member
With respect, it can't be wired this way. If it is then it is not an approved/compliant device.
Phil_boat
Well-Known Member
I’ve just fitted mine (along with a new plotter) and wired it to the same switch as my plotter and NMEA power. It will get switched off when I leave the boat.
I didn’t have a suitable switch when I fitted mine but plan to add one
I didn’t have a suitable switch when I fitted mine but plan to add one
SaltyC
Well-Known Member
Yours also appears to be non compliant.I’ve just fitted mine (along with a new plotter) and wired it to the same switch as my plotter and NMEA power. It will get switched off when I leave the boat.
I didn’t have a suitable switch when I fitted mine but plan to add one