Temporary AIS and Chart plotter setup

[Rob Howlett]

I am wanting some advice on what is the best setup for a temporary Chart plotter and AIS system. I have sold my Hunter Channel 323 which had a built in AIS, Chart plotter etc and am intending on putting my old Achilles 24 back on the water, which was my first ever sail yacht and has been kept in a barn for many years. She has simple electrics, solar charger, nav lights, 12 volt cigarette socket, cabin lights, working depth sounder, VHF and tiller pilot. What i would like to do is to fit a cost effective chart plotter system with a AIS transponder and receiver. Can I have a removable system that could be used on other boats also? I am aware of some apps such as Navionics and boat beacon which may be okay as a backup but I really wanted a purpose made setup. Any thoughts would be great, thanks

 

[[70521]]

Each vessel has a unique MMSI number. If you transmit then you will be breaking your licence. If you get found out is another matter.

If you sail close to the coast and have a mobile phone signal a phone based system, Navonics/Imray, and a few AIS apps, Marine Traffic, might do if all you want is to receive (but will be a few minutes out of date).

I was thankful of phone based Marine Traffic in thick fog off the north Spanish coast last summer on a boat with no AIS and a very odd radar contact.

 

[Tranona]

Welcome to the forum

You are probably better off posting this sort of general question on the PBO forum

However the simple answer is that there is no simple answer!. chart plotter no problem as you have a huge range of choices from a basic tablet up to a dedicated plotter. Adding AIS is not so easy as most receivers are free standing and need a connection to your plotter. However this company offers a range of integrated units that are comparable in price with more mainstream brands without AIS.avesmarine.com/product-category/onwa-chart-plotters-with-ais/

 

[Rob Howlett]

Each vessel has a unique MMSI number. If you transmit then you will be breaking your licence. If you get found out is another matter.

If you sail close to the coast and have a mobile phone signal a phone based system, Navonics/Imray, and a few apps, Marine Traffic, might do if all you want is to receive (but will be a few minutes out of date).

I was thankful of phone based Marine Traffic in thick fog off the north Spanish coast last summer on a boat with no AIS and a very odd radar contact.

Thanks for the reply Sandy. So does the boat becon AIS app need to be registered to that vessels MMSI number you are sailing on also? Im always concerned about losing tablet signal. I do have the handheld Icom VHF with AIS reciever, which is great but i would like for others to see me on their AIS also.

 

[[70521]]

Yes. The MMSI number is the one you transmit. If you are receiving only you won't be seen by other vessels.

Take a look at the Marine Traffic web site.