1. Automatic Identification System
AIS
Automatic Identification System

2. Automatic Identification System (AIS) enables automatic identification of ships from other ships and from shore-based stations
AIS uses a VHF transponder for transmission of identification and navigational information from ship-to-ship and ship-to-shore
AIS-equipped ships are able to identify and track each other independetly of shore-based stations: it is a global system (UAIS)
AIS-equipped shore-stations will use the system to monitor traffic and poll AIS-equipped ships

3. What is AIS:
AIS-equipped ships will continuosly transmit and receive short messages containing:
static information about the ship
dynamic navigational information
Voyage-related information

4. STATIC: DYNAMIC: VOYAGE RELATED:
IMO number Position Draught
Call sign / Name UTC Hazard type
Lenght / Beam Course ETA / Destination
Type of ship Speed Route
GPS Antenna location Navigation Status
Heading
Rate of turn
Keel
Pitch / Roll

5. Received information will be displayed on:
Keyboard Display Unit
PC, ECS, ECDIS
ARPA radars

6. AIS-equipped ships will be able to exchange SMS messages ship-to-shore
AIS-equipped ships will automaticly receive SMS messages from shore-stations with information as:
weather forecast, tides and currents
port dana, berth assignments
Shipping agency information etc.

7. Purpose of AIS:
Improve situational awarness on board ships in order to prevent accidents and maritime disasters by means of:
automatic swap of navigational information on ship’s movements to predict situations
automatic swap of static information to facilitate ship-to-ship communication
Interface to ship’s navigational equipment to increase information value

8. Advantages of AIS: For the Officer of the Watch:
Unambiguous identification of radar targets
Real time information on other ship’s movements
Detection of vessels behind bends or obstacles
Elimination of problem with target swapping
VHF radio contact with other ships
Reduction of VHF voice traffic by means of SMS messages

9. Advantages of AIS: For Shore Stations / VTS Centres:
Automatic identification of radar targets
Improved coverage when radar picture is degraded
Tracking of vessels behind obstacles
Tracking of dangerous / pulluting cargos
Automatic broadcasting of traffic / weather information to all ships in the area

10. IMO carriage requirement for SOLAS Ships
SOLAS V, Safety of Navigation, Regulation 19, Chapter 1.5
All ships of 300 gross tonnage and upwards engaged on international voyages
Cargo ships of 500 gross tonnage and upwards not engaged on international voyages
Passenger ships irrespective of size
The Administrations may exempt ships wich will be taken permanently out of service within two years after the specified implementation date

11. Retrofits: Ships constructed on or after 1 July 2002
Ships engaged on international voyages constructed before 1 July 2002;
-In the case of passenger ships irrespective of size and tankers of all sizes, not later than July 2003;
-In the case of ships, other than passenger ships and tankers, of gross tonnage and upwards, not later than 1 July 2004;
-In the case of ships, other than passenger ships and tankers, of 300 gross tonnage and upwards but less than gross tonnage, not later than the first safety equipment survey after 1 July 2004 or by 31 December 2004, which ever occurs earlier
Ships not engaged on international voyages constructed before 1 July 2002, not later than July 2008.
٭The administration can implement regulation, on national basis, in advance of deadline.

12. AIS Frequencies:
Frequencies to be used for the universal ship borne AIS been defined in ITU.R.M :
MHz/Channel 87B and
MHz/Channel 88B
In areas where the designed AIS channels are not available, the transponder must be able to be switched to alternative channels, by message received on DSC channel 70.

13. Modes of Operation:
Autonomous: The transponder determines its own schedule for ship-to-ship transmission.
Assigned: The transponder uses a transmission schedule assigned by a competent authority’s shore-station, e.g. in crowded areas.
Polled: The transponder automatically respons to interogation messages from a competent authority, e.g. a VTS Control Centre.

14. Information Update Rates for Autonomous Mode:
Static information: Every 6 min. / when dana has been amended / on request.
Dynamic information: Dependent on speed and course alteration.
Voyage-related information:Every 6 min. / when dana has been amended / on request.
Safety-related message: As required.

15. Class A Ship Borne Mobile Equipment Reporting Intervals for Dynamic Information
Ship at anchor minutes
Ship 0-14 knots seconds
Ship 0-14 knots and changing course /3 seconds
Ship knots seconds
Ship knots and changing course 2 seconds
Ship > 23 knots seconds
Ship > 23 knots and changing course seconds

16. Mandatory Ship Repotring System in the Adriatic Sea
Categories of ships required to participate in the system:
All oil tanker ships of 150 GT and above;
All ships of 300 GT and above, carrying on bord, as cargo, dangerous or polluting goods, in bulk or in packages

19. NEW TRAFFIC SEPARATION SCHEMES IN THE ADRIATIC SEA
Adopted in accordance with the provisions of the resolution A.858(20)
Categories of the ships required to participate in the system:
routeing systems are recomended for all ships and should be used in accordance with the General Provisions on Ship’s Routeing, as amended.