FAQ in AIS

1. What is AIS? Per 33 CFR §164.46(a), AIS is a maritime navigation safety communications system
standardized by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and adopted by the International
Maritime Organization (IMO) that provides vessel information, including the vessel's identity, type,
position, course, speed, navigational status and other safety-related information automatically to
appropriately equipped shore stations, other ships, and aircraft; receives automatically such information
from similarly fitted ships; monitors and tracks ships; and exchanges data with shore-based facilities.
Read more on what it is, how it works, what it broadcasts, and, the messages it uses, etc.

2. How do I install, encode or register my AIS; and, what is a MMSI? AIS devices should be
installed taking into consideration the guidelines developed by the International Maritime Organization
(IMO Safety of Navigation Circular.227, Guidelines For The Installation Of A Shipborne Automatic
Identification System) or the National Marine Electronics Association (Installation Standard, (NMEA
0400-4.00). Note, each USCG type-approved AIS has an internal built-in integrity tester that mitigates
the need to send TEST text messages to verify its operations.

AIS devices are not registered, however, each requires a unique and official 9-digit Maritime Mobile
Service Identity (MMSI) number. To obtain one see our MMSI page. Encoding an AIS varies by class.
AIS Class B are not user configurable; therefore, owners should contact their AIS manufacturer or
retailer for instructions. AIS Class A owners, may encode their own device, but will require knowing
the unit password to do so. All users must ensure (per 33 CFR §164.46(d)) their AIS is always in
effective operating condition and broadcasting accurately (see USCG AIS Encoding Guide). Failure to
do so could subject a person to civil penalties not to exceed $25,000 (46 U.S.C. 70119).

3. What is the AIS rule and are there alternatives to the rule for small businesses? The U.S. Coast
Guard has developed rules applicable to both U.S. and foreign-flag vessels that require owners and
operators of most commercial vessels operating on U.S. navigable waters to be outfitted with an
Automatic Identification System (AIS). These rules are part of our domestic and international effort to
increase the security and safety of maritime transportation. Initial AIS rules became effective on July
1st, 2003 (68 FR 60559) and were subsequently amended on January 30th, 2015 (80 FR 5281), so as to
require that all vessels denoted 33 CFR § 164.46(d) be outfitted with a USCG type-approved [see Coast
Guard Maritime Information Exchange (CGMIX) EQList Search, Select: Approval Series Name—
Shipborne AIS] and properly installed operational AIS no later than March 1st, 2016. There are no
alternatives to this rule, however, many small business may meet the carriage requirement by
purchasing a lower cost AIS Class B device in lieu of a Class A. See our Small Entity Compliance
Guide to AIS and our AIS FAQ#4 below for further information.

4. Do AIS Class B devices meet current USCG AIS carriage requirements? What are the
differences between AIS Class A devices and Class B devices?? Yes, a small segment of mandatory
AIS users (see 33 CFR § 164.46(b)(2)) can use a Coast Guard type-approved AIS Class B device in
lieu of a Class A device—AIS Class A vs B comparison. Note, U.S. AIS carriage requirements can
only be met by USCG type-approved equipment which displays a USCG 165.155/156 Approval
Number. A listing of all USCG type-approved equipment can be found at the Coast Guard Maritime
Information Exchange (CGMIX) [EQList Search, Select: Approval Series Name--Shipborne AIS].
Voluntary AIS users may avail themselves of either a AIS Class A or B device, but, such device must
be FCC certified for its use in the United States. For a listing of FCC certified AIS equipment use the
FCC OET Equipment Authorization Search Form [Select: Equipment Class--AIS).
5. How does AIS help to increase security (and what is NAIS)? Although AIS is primarily and
foremost a navigation tool for collision avoidance, the Coast Guard believes that the AIS will improve
security also. AIS and our Nationwide AIS Project (NAIS) increases the Coast Guard’s awareness of
vessels in the maritime domain, especially vessels approaching U.S. ports. The AIS corroborates and
provides identification and position of vessels not always possible through voice radio communication
or radar alone.

6. When must AIS be in operation? Vessels equipped with AIS (either by mandatory carriage or
voluntarily) must abide by the requirements set forth in 33 CFR 164.46(d) and should especially ensure
their AIS is in properly installed, using an assigned MMSI, and, that its data is accessible from the
primary conning position of the vessel. Also, that it be in 'effective operating condition', which entails
the continuous operation of AIS and the accurate input and upkeep of all AIS data parameters (see
USCG AIS Encoding Guide) during all times that the vessel is navigating (underway or at anchor), and,
at least 15 minutes prior to unmooring, in U.S. navigable waters (as defined in 33 CFR 2.36). Should
continual operation of AIS compromise the safety or security of the vessel or where a security incident
is imminent, the AIS may be switched off. This action and the reason for taking it must be reported to
the nearest U.S. Captain of the Port or Vessel Traffic Center and recorded in the ship's logbook. The
AIS should return to continuous operation as soon as the source of danger has been mitigated.

Although Coast Guard AIS authority (46 USC 70114) does not extend beyond U.S. navigable waters,
mariners are reminded that Navigation Rule 7 requires that every vessel use all available means to
determine risk of collision. AIS is one of the most effective means currently available, particularly
when coupled with radar and sight, to not only determine the risk of, but, also mitigate collisions. Thus
the Coast Guard exhorts all AIS users to maintain their AIS in operation, at all times, while underway
or at anchor.

7. Does the installation of the AIS require additional equipment in order for the AIS to operate
properly? No, however, Chapter V, Regulation 19 of the Safety of Life at Sea Convention (SOLAS),
as stated in 33 CFR § 164.46(d)(2), does require certain vessels on international voyage to interface it
to other existing onboard equipment (i.e. transmitting heading device, gyro, rate of turn indicator);
domestic vessels, are not currently required to do so, however it is highly recommended.

8. Will it be necessary to have electronic navigational charts for use with the AIS? Eventually.
Section 410 of the Coast Guard and Marine Transportation Act of 2004 (P.L.108-293) directs the Coast
Guard to prescribe regulations that will require most commercial vessels "while operating on the
navigable waters of the United States...be equipped with and operate an electronic chart system (ECS)";
and, that this system be integrated with AIS. A rulemaking implementing this additional requirement is
in development. Till these regulations are finalized, AIS is not required to be displayed on an ECS or
other external display system; although it is highly recommended. The full benefits of AIS are only
achieved when it is fully integrated and displayed on other shipboard navigation systems (e.g.
Electronic Charts Data & Information System (ECDIS), ECS, Radar, Automatic Radar Plotting Aide
(ARPA), Tracking Devices, personal software, etc.).

9. Are fishing vessels subject to AIS carriage, and, are onboard Vessel Monitoring Systems
(VMS) an acceptable substitute for AIS? Yes and no. Commercial self-propelled fishing vessels of
65 feet or more in length are subject to AIS carriage requirements; see 33 CFR 164.46(b). Per 33 CFR
§ 164.46(b)(2), fishing industry vessels (i.e. fishing processors, tenders, and vessels as defined in 46
U.S.C. 2101) may use lower-cost AIS Class B units in lieu of Class A devices. However, a NOAA
Vessel Monitoring Systems (VMS) are not an acceptable substitute for AIS because they are not inter-
operable or compatible. Each uses different communication systems, protocols, reporting rates, and,
most importantly VMS does not, nor is it designed to, mitigate collisions or enhance users’ situational
awareness. Read more...

10. Why have some AIS units stopped broadcasting valid position reports? On February 27th,
2008 the GPS constellation increased to 32 satellites (PRN 32) thus providing a 5% increase in satellite
availability and DOP (dilution of precision) world-wide. It has come to our attention that some (non-
USCG type approved) AIS units-particularly old equipment which is non-compliant with the GPS
interface standard (IS-GPS-200)-cannot recognize this additional satellite and subsequently are unable
to calculate a position and broadcast a valid AIS Position Report. Note, the reported malfunctioning
units do continue to receive position reports and are able to send and receive AIS text messages.
Owners of AIS equipment denoted here, however, should be aware that their internal GPS systems may
not act as a proper-timing or position-back-up under certain circumstances, i.e. when in view of
PRN32. AIS users must ensure their units have or are interfaced with a properly operating Electronic
Position Fixing System at all times. GPS and/or AIS problems should be reported via the NAVCEN
website or via phone to the USCG Navigation Information Service at 1-703-313-5900.

11. Why am I unable to see an AIS vessels' name or other static information (dimensions, call
sign, etc.)? Shipboard AIS units autonomously broadcast two different AIS messages: a 'position
report' which includes the vessels dynamic data (e.g. latitude, longitude, position accuracy, time,
course, speed, navigation status); and, a 'static and voyage related report' which includes data particular
to the vessel (e.g. name, dimensions, type) and regarding its voyage (e.g. static draft, destination, and
ETA). Position reports are broadcasted very frequently (between 2-10 seconds-depending on the
vessels speed-or every 3 minutes if at anchor), while static and voyage related reports are sent every six
minutes; thus it is common and likely that an AIS user will receive numerous position reports from a
vessel prior to receipt of the vessels' name and type, etc.

12. Why do I sometimes see more than one vessel with the same MMSI or vessel name (i.e.
NAUT)? AIS users are required to operate their unit with a valid MMSI, unfortunately, some users
neglect to do so (for example, use: 111111111, 123456789, 00000001, their U.S. documentation
number, etc). A valid MMSI will start with a digit from 2 to 7, a U.S. assigned MMSI will start with
either 338, 366, 367, 368, or 369. AIS users whom encounter a vessel using MMSI: 1193046 or named:
NAUT should notify the user that their AIS unit is broadcasting improper data; see Nauticast AIS-
MMSI Technical Bulletin for further information. All AIS users should check the accuracy of their AIS
data prior to each voyage, and, particularly units that have been shutdown for any period of time.
NOTE: If you are receiving (in range of) AIS reports from vessels using the same MMSI, they will
appear as one vessel (jumping from position-to-position or line-to-line) on a graphical screen (e.g.
ECS, ECDIS, radar) or on the AIS Minimal Keyboard Device (MKD).

13. I just purchased and installed an AIS Class B, will AIS Class A users ‘see’ me? Although all
Class A devices will receive Class B information; unfortunately, some older Class A models are unable
to display this information on their Minimum Keyboard and Display (MKD) or may only have
available the Class B vessel’s dynamic data (i.e. position, course and speed) but not its static data (i.e.
vessel name, call-sign). Therefore, the Coast Guard cautions new AIS Class B users to not assume that
they are being ‘seen’ by all other AIS users or that all their information is available to all Class A users.
Further, we exhort users of certain AIS Class A units to, as soon as practicable, update their MKD’s
and/or other external navigation display systems (e.g. Electronic Charts Systems, Electronic Chart &
Display Information Systems, radar, etc.) in order to view this new stream of valuable AIS information
that will enhance navigation safety and mitigate the risk of collision. A rulemaking to mandate such an
update is forthcoming. Here is a listing of Coast Guard type-approved AIS Class A units which require
a firmware update in order to display AIS Class B information.

14. What are the differences between AIS Class A and B devices? See a comparison of AIS Class A
and Class B devices here.

15. Is the USCG considering expanding AIS carriage to other vessels or outside of VTS areas?
Yes. On January 30th, 2015 the Coast Guard published a Final Rule (80 FR 5281, corrected on 4/1/15
(80 FR 17326), effective on 4/7/16 (80 FR 20250) which implemented the AIS requirements of
Regulation V/19.2.4 of the Safety of Life at Sea Convention and Sec. 102 of the Maritime
Transportation Security Act of 2002 (46 U.S.C. 70114), thus expanded AIS carriage to most
commercial self-propelled vessels operating on U.S. navigable waters--see our Fact Sheet for those
affected. The docket containing comments submitted, supporting documents, and the regulatory
analysis to this and our proposed rulemaking (73 FR 76295) can be found at www.regulations.gov
[Search: USCG-2005-21869]. See printer-friendly PDF formats of these 2015 requirements, our 2008
proposed rule, an amalgamation of both, our 2003 requirements (68 FR 60599), and, a chart-
comparison of all three.

16. How can I get a copy of an AIS presentation I saw or heard about? You can download recent
presentations given by the Coast Guard Office of Navigation Systems.

17. Where can I get AIS data? Although the U.S. Coast Guard operates our Nation's AIS network
(NAIS), we do not --currently-- make our AIS information available to the general public. There are,
however, numerous AIS networks and commercial purveyors that do provide AIS data and track
information on the World Wide Web; many of which are listed on Wikipedia's AIS webpage. Local,
state and federal government agencies may request U.S. Coast Guard Nation-wide AIS data here.

18. Reserved for future use.

19. What is AIS Channel Management? One of the lesser known and potent features of AIS is its
ability to operate on multiple channels of the VHF-FM marine band. This frequency agility ensures
AIS can be used even when the default channels are otherwise unavailable or compromised. In such
conditions, competent authorities, such as the Coast Guard, can use an AIS base station to tele-
command shipborne AIS devices to other more appropriate channels when within a defined region(s) of
200 to 2000 square nautical miles. This can be done automatically (and without user intervention) by
receipt of the AIS channel management message (AIS message 22) or manually entered via the AIS
Minimal Keyboard Display (MKD) or similar input device. Once commanded or inputted the channels
management information will stay in memory for 5 weeks or until a vessel exceed 500 nautical miles
from the defined region. AIS channel management commands can only be automatically overridden via
another channel management message for the same defined region or manually overridden or erased by
the user via the unit’s channel (regional frequencies) management function—read more. Note,
reinitializing or resetting your AIS or transmission channels will not necessarily reprogram your unit
back to default channels.

20. Can I use my AIS in an emergency or for distress messaging? Although not prohibited (see 33
CFR § 164.46(d)(3)), be aware that AIS safety related text messages are not currently monitored or
acted upon as Global Maritime Distress Safety Systems (GMDSS) alert messages by the Coast Guard
or other maritime search and rescue authorities. Therefore, AIS should not be relied upon as the
primary means for broadcasting distress or urgent communications, nor used in lieu of GMDSS such as
Digital Selective Calling radios which are designed to process distress messaging. Nonetheless, AIS
remains an effective means to augment GMDSS and provides the added benefit of being seen by other
AIS users and USCG assets within AIS radio range, in addition to being heard via AIS text messaging.
For further guidance, see USCG Safety Alert 5-10. Also, see the International Maritime Organization’s
(COMSAR) Circular 46, Use Of Ais Safety-Related Messaging In Distress Situations.

21. Is the Coast Guard broadcasting AIS Aids to Navigation Reports? Yes. The U.S. Coast Guard
and other authorized agencies and organizations (i.e., U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, National Oceanic
and Atmospheric Administration, Marine Exchange of Alaska) are transmitting AIS ATON Reports
and marine safety information via AIS (see our Special Notice 01-2014). The exact content, location,
and times of these transmissions will be announced in the Coast Guard Local Notices to Mariners
(LNM) and denoted in Coast Guard Light List.

Note, AIS AtoN can autonomously and at fixed intervals broadcast the name, position, dimensions,
type, characteristics and status from or concerning an aid to navigation. AIS AtoN can be either
physical (physically fitted to the AtoN), synthetic (physically fitted somewhere other than to the AtoN)
or virtual (physically nonexistent, but capable of being portrayed on AIS-capable displays). AIS AtoN
can also be used to broadcast both laterally (e.g., Port Hand Mark) and non-laterally significant marine
safety information (e.g., environmental data, tidal information, and navigation warnings). For further
information on AIS ATON refer to the various IALA Guidelines and Recommendations.

22. Have an AIS question not answered here? Please contact us.