At the Pacific Marine Expo, I saw the Simrad A150 and ACR AIS-300 Class-B AIS units in person. Cooool…
I’m obligated to remind readers that they are not FCC-authorized for sale in the United States yet, but according to Panbo, that could change before the end of December.
We seem to write something about AIS here periodically, and it’s no secret that we’re a little bit enchanted with this technology. Class B AIS appears to be just the thing for recreational vessels, and I’m eager to give it a try aboard Two Lucky Fish.
Not everybody is gung-ho about Class B AIS, though. At the Pacific Marine Expo, I got a chance to talk with Fred Pot, President of SeaCAS. He was there handing out AIS FAQ sheets to anyone who asked.
Actually, after overhearing AIS questions posed by random expo attendees, I think Fred is performing an extremely valuable public service…there’s a lot of confusion about AIS, even among commercial operators!
Anyway, SeaCAS will not be selling a Class B unit. Why not? Several reasons, and the fact is that they’re all perfectly valid. What it comes down to is this: Commercial traffic probably won’t see your Class B-equipped vessel on their navigational equipment, and even if they do, they can’t get out of your way. Smaller traffic can’t be counted on to notice any AIS signals at all. And Coast Guard stations, even those with the new “Rescue 21″ technology package we described back in June, may not be equipped to plot Class B targets.
So Class B AIS is essentially useless right out of the gate!
Boaters need to operate exactly the same way they would if they did not possess Class B transceivers. The real danger, in Fred Pot’s opinion, is that boaters could get into trouble if they start relying on a system that isn’t doing what they think it is.
I think he’s right. But believe it or not, I still want to install Class B aboard my boat. Weird, huh?
I want AIS reception aboard in order to enhance navigational safety. But remember that I’m a recreational boater, and I want Class B AIS transmission for entertainment purposes. It’s a toy I want to play with, pure and simple. “For novelty purposes only”, you know. 
Where Mr Pot and I might differ (although I’m not certain about this), is that I hold out hope that Class B AIS will become useful in the future. It may take some time, and the technology might have to be adapted, but a Class B standard may prove valuable in various spin-off applications, such as race monitoring, commercial fleet and asset tracking, search and rescue coordination, and fishing.
And gradually, as vessel and shore stations upgrade equipment over the years, it might even become a valuable enhancement to navigational safety…you never know!
4 responses so far ↓
More Talk About Class B AIS | Navagear.com // Dec 12, 2007 at 5:34 am
[...] this case, Fred Pot’s skepticism about Class B AIS, which we discussed last month, has contributed to a lively discussion over at Panbo; be sure to [...]
Al Murray // Jan 23, 2008 at 5:48 am
I work on Commercial Ships and have used AIS around the world. A spotty return on AIS, or even in pleasure boating, no return is dangerous. RADAR can not be relied on to warn ships of your presence as the small RADAR reflectors you are relying on are basically useless in any seaway. Small boats are impossible to detect without a good set of Binoculars and know commercial companies are not investing in these either. VHF-FM radio calls are not always effective as very few small boats monitor our working frequencies or when are called can give intelligent information. No one relies strictly on the AIS because by monitoring them we have found they can be spotty, confusing or just wrong data is displayed. However, in the case of small boats we as a big un-maneuverable ship pray for the day pleasure boats give us some sort of data to work with. AIS-B would assist me in planning ahead to maneuver or start calling on VHF to clarify you see each other or are not going to make some strange course change. AIS is a tool and one of several one uses to stand a watch. Heavy traffic is a lot more easier to be in when you have some information to work with. It is scary that one views this as a toy to play with because although it may be a pleasure for you to be on the water ways it is a dangerous place and these tools solve very real problems. Namely not running you over.
Class B AIS: Can’t We All Just Get Along? | Navagear.com // Jan 23, 2008 at 9:41 am
[...] a thoughtful comment today on my “AIS Class B Naysayers, Unite!” from back in November. In his comment, Commercial mariner Al Murray shares his point of view [...]
Jeffrey // Mar 29, 2008 at 11:48 pm
I sometimes run at night on my trawler/passage maker. AIS is a useful tool that I use to supplement the information I have to make navigation decisions. In bad weather it gives me a clear indication of what’s bearing down on me and its a big help. I do have a Nauticast Class B that sadlyI do not use in US waters.
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