Misuse of AIS?

[pagoda]

I was browsing through MarineTraffic and came across a curious entity in Gourock.
An Office with a MMSI number!

Name: CALMAC HEAD OFFICE
Vessel Type - Generic: Cargo
Vessel Type - Detailed: Cargo
Status: Active
MMSI: 235041057
Call Sign: CALMACH
Flag: United Kingdom [GB]
Gross Tonnage: -
Summer DWT: -
Length Overall x Breadth Extreme: 1 x 1 m

It never moves, it's not a hazard , so why do Calmac feel the need to clutter the ether with a building position?
What numpty applied for the MMSI and what numpty approved it?? Seems crazy....

 

[Bajansailor]

https://www.marinetraffic.com/en/ais/details/ships/shipid:5641565/vessel:CALMAC HEAD OFFICE

Seems like the office is one metre square, with a draught (depth?) of 5.9 m.
It does not sound like a very ergonomic work place to me.

Maybe it is more convenient for them to give directions to visitors as an AIS reference, rather than (eg) on Google Maps?
MarineTraffic: Global Ship Tracking Intelligence | AIS Marine Traffic

 

[Baggywrinkle]

AIS also enables a direct MMSI call from the VHF. Much easier than looking up the VHF channel or the phone number.

 

[pagoda]

AIS also enables a direct MMSI call from the VHF. Much easier than looking up the VHF channel or the phone number.

Like any Calmac OOD doesn't know the office number? I still think this is balls ox

 

[st599]

I think the ITU are looking at this.

The proliferation of positive results just means that the reports on the screen are switched off.

I've even seen AIS racing buoys.

 

[[70521]]

And what about all those naughty lighthouses that transmit 24/7?

 

[Stemar]

I don't do AIS; if I can't see the opposition, I ain't going out, but a lighthouse on 24/7 doesn't sound like a bad idea.

What would bug me is a marina full of targets going nowhere:



There's even a couple in car parks!

 

[awol]

Calmac Gourock AIS with its MMSI allows easy VHF calls to complain about the wash of their not-fit-for-purpose Dunoon ferries. Not that it makes any difference other than spleen venting. They don't always answer, though.

 

[dunedin]

According to the Marine Traffic track, the CalMac Head Office took a short stroll to the local church this morning at around 10:30am

 

[GTom]

1x1m sounds like the toilet. It's availability is indeed crucial for smooth operations...

 

[LadyInBed]

Calmac Gourock AIS with its MMSI allows easy VHF calls to complain about the wash of their not-fit-for-purpose Dunoon ferries. Not that it makes any difference other than spleen venting. They don't always answer, though.

I can see the case for MMSI VHF and to receive AIS but I can't see any reason for them to transmit AIS.

 

[johnalison]

I can see the case for MMSI VHF and to receive AIS but I can't see any reason for them to transmit AIS.

I have the same problem. In order for my system to work out where an AIS signal is, I need GPS and preferably a plotter. In the case of a lighthouse I know where it is because it is charted and won't move unless it is at Beachy Head. I can't see that an AIS signal is giving me any additional information. This is the case for fixed marks of any kind, but not for temporary buoys presumably.

 

[Pete7]

I don't do AIS; if I can't see the opposition, I ain't going out, but a lighthouse on 24/7 doesn't sound like a bad idea.

What would bug me is a marina full of targets going nowhere:

View attachment 83774

There's even a couple in car parks!

What made me laugh was the Prince of Wales coming in the other month. No AIS, but half a dozen tugs around her were displaying and the big empty space in the middle an obvious clue.

 

[prv]

why do Calmac feel the need to clutter the ether with a building position?

Since the building is presumably on land, it’s not as if the “clutter” is going to cover anything important.

No, I can’t think of a good reason for it to transmit either, but there are surely more important things to get upset over?

Pete