Singlehander showing on AIS

[Plum]

This trend may not be new but I have only just become aware. Some singlehanders who are transmitting on AIS have added, after the name of their boat, "SOLOSAILOR", or similar, so other vessels are aware. Many skippers doing this are on French boats. Obviously singlehanders don't have any privileges in Colregs so are they hoping for a sympathetic response from stand-on vessels? This trend could become an annoyance with, for example, a boat showing on AIS as "BOATNAME-FOR SALE".

 

[Tintin]

This trend may not be new but I have only just become aware. Some singlehanders who are transmitting on AIS have added, after the name of their boat, "SOLOSAILOR", or similar, so other vessels are aware. Many skippers doing this are on French boats. Obviously singlehanders don't have any privelages in Colregs so are they are hoping for a simpathetic response from stand-on vessels? This trend could become an annoyance with, for example, a boat showing on AIS as "BOATNAME-FOR SALE".

Www.solocoastalsailing.co.uk

Almost as annoying as a website used as a signature not working

 

[Birdseye]

This trend may not be new but I have only just become aware. Some singlehanders who are transmitting on AIS have added, after the name of their boat, "SOLOSAILOR", or similar, so other vessels are aware. Many skippers doing this are on French boats. Obviously singlehanders don't have any privelages in Colregs so are they are hoping for a simpathetic response from stand-on vessels? This trend could become an annoyance with, for example, a boat showing on AIS as "BOATNAME-FOR SALE".

Www.solocoastalsailing.co.uk

Somehow I dont think that ad for a boatname would work! Nor would it work for the boat. ;-)

Long distance single handers are illegal under marine law because they cannot keep the required look out

 

[Daydream believer]

Solo on an AIS name has been in use for 6 years to my knowledge. A Belgian friend of mine uses it. It does not mean that he is breaking any COLREG, as he may be maintaining a lookout & using all available means at his disposal to ensure that lookout. To let small craft know that he is a single handed sailor, may be useful if his craft was suddenly seen to be making unusual manouvers.

 

[Plum]

Almost as annoying as a website used as a signature not working

oops! Thanks. I've removed that link until I get it fixed.

 

[Roberto]

I have had that on my AIS name for many years, not seeking special privileges of course but maybe a crossing vessel might hail on the radio "are you awake?", though it never happened in over 20k miles solo. I also have the two NUC black round shapes, should I feel very sick I would hoist them as a last resort before passing away in deep sufferings, maybe someone passing by might hail "is everything ok?". "Exceptional circumstances" ex-rule 3, aren't they?.
Apart from that, I found that Colregs compliance by that sort of vessels is way above any other pleasure vessels, often going from one waypoint to the next one without even looking out of the window. A few days ago I went in the opposite direction to this all "solo sailors" mass (plain daylight), yet not one screamed "we are racing"

 

[Supertramp]

Solo on an AIS name has been in use for 6 years to my knowledge. A Belgian friend of mine uses it. It does not mean that he is breaking any COLREG, as he may be maintaining a lookout & using all available means at his disposal to ensure that lookout. To let small craft know that he is a single handed sailor, may be useful if his craft was suddenly seen to be making unusual manouvers.

I understand that but does he change his AIS name when he has crew?

Since fitting AIS I am impressed with the actions taken by commercial shipping with minor course adjustments evident from them to keep CPA above 1 to 2 miles. I imagine it's much easier for them to see my averaged course and speed. I catnap much better now!

 

[dunedin]

I understand that but does he change his AIS name when he has crew?

Not sure if it is just old data on the Marine Tradfic site, but at least two of the fully crewed Open 60’s in the Ocean Race are currently showing “solo sailor” even though nearly at the end of their global circumnavigation

 

[lusitano]

On the subject of single handers !

Father sets sail on 1,900-mile solo trip across the Atlantic

 

[Wandering Star]

On the subject of single handers !

Father sets sail on 1,900-mile solo trip across the Atlantic

Typical DM reporting, ignore convention for best effect and report the boat size as being 3 feet which is actually the beam instead of the 11 feet which is its length.

 

[LadyInBed]

I've tagged -Ketch onto my boat name so I can be picked out in a crowd

 

[Buck Turgidson]

I’m not averse to adding solosailer although I haven’t. The IMO regulations state the data should be name of ship. Nothing else.

 

[V1701]

Wasn't/isn't there a pennant that some solo sailors used to display? Personally I think within reason why wouldn't you provide as much info as possible via AIS? The more info you provide, the more informed a decision about their own actions anybody seeing it can make...

 

[tony_lavelle]

Wasn't/isn't there a pennant that some solo sailors used to display? Personally I think within reason why wouldn't you provide as much info as possible via AIS? The more info you provide, the more informed a decision about their own actions anybody seeing it can make...

Some solo sailors fly a numeral 1 pennant (big red dot on white background) with the same meaning, especially in Europe I'm told. Very useful on inland waters so lock keepers and bridge operators are aware.

 

[Fr J Hackett]

I’m not averse to adding solosailer although I haven’t. The IMO regulations state the data should be name of ship. Nothing else.

If it doesn't say you can't then there is no reason not to, something that served me very well with planners on more than one occasion.

 

[Buck Turgidson]

If it doesn't say you can't then there is no reason not to, something that served me very well with planners on more than one occasion.

As said I’m not averse but I work in an industry with strict regulations about transmissions and with systems similar in principle to AIS. Regulations are very strict and crews/airlines have been fined for transmitting words other than the correct identification. Just be aware that adding anything could be misinterpreted just as easily as adding further information.

 

[Roberto]

Anyone remembers this

 

[Stingo]

No. Tell us more, please

 

[Roberto]

No. Tell us more, please

It was around the first Covid lockdown times, all the positions had been sent by this single station "Can carry your name", which was apparently moored in Calvi.

 

[PhillM]

I’ve changed the name of “Swift” to “Swift solo sailor” so I’m compliant