AIS, LRIT & BNWAS

Question 1

What is AIS?

Answer 1

Maritime Mobile VHF broadcast system

Question 2

Who needs AIS?

Answer 2

• All ships of 300GT and over, engaged on international voyages
  
  • Cargo Ships of 500 GT and over, not engaged on international voyages
• All Passenger Ships

Question 3

How does AIS work?

Answer 3

AIS transceivers automatically broadcast
-static
-dynamic
-voyage related information,
at regular intervals via a VHF transmitter built into the transceiver.

Question 4

What info does AIS give?

Answer 4

• static (MMSI, Ship’s Name, C/S)
• dynamic (from ships sensors)
• voyage related data (manually entered)

Question 5

Use of AIS for Navigation

Answer 5

AIS provides identification of targets together with the static and dynamic information which assists with situational awareness. However, Collision Avoidance should be made strictly according to the COLREGs.

Question 6

Limitations of AIS
(list 3)

Answer 6

1. Not all ships are fitted with AIS
2. It can also be switched off.
3. Faulty data inputs

Question 7

Virtual AIS?
Symbol?

Answer 7

Symbol: ‘open diamond with crosshair centre’

Virtual navigation marks used as aids to navigation (AtoN).
Enables coastal authorities to provide an AIS symbol on the display in any position.

Appearance of “virtual” AIS targets means an AIS target may not complemented by a radar target.

Question 8

What is LRIT

Answer 8

Long Range Identification Tracking
system
provides global identification + tracking of ships
to enhance security of shipping and
for safety and marine environment protection.

info auto-transmitted at 6 hr intervals or remotely at any time.

MGN 634

Question 9

BNWAS, what does it do?

Answer 9

Monitors awareness of the OOW in bridge and automatically alerts the Master if the OOW becomes incapable of performing their duties.

Additionally, BNWAS may provide the OOW with a means of calling for immediate assistance in bridge if required.