User's Manual

Redistribution with or without USCG indicia is permissible and encouraged.
For further information or additional copies visit www.navcen.uscg.gov or email [e-mail]
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v.2012-01-05
AUTOMATIC IDENTIFICATION SYSTEM is a valuable navigation
safety radio communication tool. However, its usefulness is
undermined by the broadcast of inaccurate, improper or outdated
data. Mariners are reminded that U.S. regulation requires that
each AIS be maintained in effective operating condition which
includes accurate input and upkeep of all AIS data fields. Failure to
do so may subject a vessel to civil penalties of up to $40,ooo per
ocurrence. To avoid penalties AIS Users in the United States should
ensure their system is encoded as follows:
Static Data…should be input manually at installation &
password protected. Remember the password. You will
need it to re-encode or update certain AIS fields
Maritime Mobile Service Identifier (MMSI), call sign, &
vessel name should match your radio license. There should
only be one MMSI assigned to the vessel. If you are licensed-
by-rule, input {@@@@@@@} as your call-sign. Names
should not include abbreviations, (except public vessels, i.e.
USCG, USCGC, USACE, USS, LAPD, NYFD, etc., or precursors
or designators, e.g. F/V, M/V, MV, OSV, P/V, REC, S/V, TUG.
Names exceeding 20 characters (the parameter limit) should
not be abbreviated or truncated; except company fleet
vessels1 who may do so as needed, but, not their unique
distinguishing characters. For example, World-wide Traders’
tug 123456 should be identified and inputted as {WORLD-
WIDE TRA123456}.
If nameless, use your state registration number preceded by
{USA#} as your name, e.g. USA#NY1234YZ. If unnumbered
(e.g. associated craft, vessel tenders), use your parent
vessel’s name followed by a dash {-} and a numerical
designator that distinguishes you amongst others. For
example, the first tender for the cruise ship Freedom of the
Seas should be identified and inputted as {FREEDOM OF THE
SEA-1}. Additionally, its AIS message 24B call-sign parameter
should reflect the last 6-digits of Freedom of the Seas MMSI
preceded by {A}, e.g. A123456.
IMO Number should match your assigned
2
IMO number.
Absent an IMO assignment input your U.S. official docu-
mentation number preceded by a ‘1’ and zeroes, e.g.
1001234567, 1000123456. Official numbers must be
preceded by a leading ‘1’ followed by either one {10} or two
zeroes {100} to fill-in all the 10-digits of this parameter. If your
AIS does not accommodate 10-digits input all zeroes instead.
Dynamic Data…should be provided via systems that are
properly installed, maintaned & operational
3
Type of positioning source and accuracy should be accurately
set, i.e. GPS, surveyed, manual input, etc. The positioning
source should provide: course over ground in 1/10 degrees,
speed over ground in 1/10 knots, vessel position in 1/10
seconds of latitude & longitude, and degree of accuracy
(whether greater or less than 10 meters).
Heading data should be integrated into the AIS on vessels of
150 gross tonnage or greater; and Rate of Turn data on vessels
of 50,000 gross tonnage or greater (per SOLAS Regulation
V/19.2).
A Pilot Plug, on vessels required to embark pilots, should be
connected and properly wired to the AIS. It should be
permanently located near a 3-prong, 120-volt, AC receptacle.
Voyage Related Data…should be manually inputted as
necessary to always indicate current conditions
Navigation Status should indicate your current
navigational status, i.e. at anchor, underway,
engaged in fishing, etc. Remember to change your
status when anchored or moored. Doing so
reduces the AIS reporting rate to once every 3
minutes vice once every 2–10 seconds. This
mitigates network congestion.
Static Draft should indicate the vessel’s actual
draft. Input the vessel’s maximum draft if the
actual draft is unknown.
Type of vessel should indicate a Ship Type
denoted in the accompanying table.
Dimensions should indicate the official
dimensions of the vessel. Input meters, not
feet. Dimensions are described in terms of
distance in meters to the positioning-
system antenna used by AIS (e.g. GPS
antenna). Refer to the diagram. In this
example the AIS’s GPS antenna is located at
the intersection of the two white lines. Also
to be used by U.S. ship type 22 (see Table)
to convey the overall rectangular
proportions of the vessel and its tow—as
portrayed by the dark arrow lines within
the rectangles in the diagram.
Estimated Time of Arrival to destination
or voyage departure (if moored or
anchored). Input Universal Time
Coordinated (UTC) not local time.
Destination (including origination) should be inputted
using ISO 3166 country codes and UN/LOCODE’s
4
for
international voyages; and US/LOCODE’s
5
for voyages to
any U.S. port or place
6
as follows:
Origination>Destination using ISO 3166 country & UN/LOCODE
USNYC>NLRTM …a New York City to Rotterdam voyage
7
Vessels inbound to the U.S. should also include a US/LOCODE
CNSHA>USSFO^OVCY for Shanghai to San Francisco Pier 35
Domestic voyages, US^US/LOCODE|>|><|<>|<|>>|US/LOCODE
US^NYRX>NY5O …a one-way voyage
US^NYOP><NY6L …a scheduled route, e.g. ferry service
US^SFCX><SFCX …voyage to nowhere & back, e.g. excursion
US^LAJ5<>AJ5 …operations in a confined area, e.g. fleeting area
US^LBNC< …anchored, moored, or on station, e.g. MODU, FPSO
US^LM7N>>PAPX-GIQJ …a one-way voyage, via an
alternate route (e.g. New Orleans, LA to Port Arthur, TX
via Gulf Inter-coastal Waterway)
Safety-Related Text Messaging…should be short,
concise, & used only to exchange pertinent
navigation safety-related information
AIS safety-related text messages (SRM) must be in
English and solely to exchange navigation safety
information.
Although not prohibited, AIS text messaging should
NOT be relied upon as the primary means for distress
(MAYDAY) or urgent (PAN PAN) communications.
8
Keep SRM concise and as short as possible (less than
90 characters). The use of abbreviations is acceptable
and highly encouraged; see the USCG Local Notice to
Mariners, Light List and U.S. Nautical Chart No. 1 for a
listing of common abbreviations.
Testing or repair facilities, is conjunction with on-air
testing, should also periodically broadcast an AIS
SRM: {TEST BCST}. Repair testing should be kept to a
minimum and not exceed an hour per day.
1
See http://wireless.fcc.gov/services/index.htm {Ship Radio Stations}
2
Obtained at www.imonumbers.lrfairplay.com/datause.aspx
3
Per IMO SN/Circ. 227 & 224 or NMEA 4.0 Installation Guidelines
4
Find Country (ISO 3166) & United Nations Location Codes (UN/LOCODE) at:
www.unece.org/cefact/locode/welcome.html
5
Find U.S. Location Codes (US/LOCODE) at:
www.navcen.uscg.gov/?pageName=locode
6
Any port or place in which a vessel is bound to anchor, moor, or maintain station
(i.e. Outer Continental Shelf activity)
7
If AIS lacks angle brackets {>} substitute with parenthesis { ) | )( | () | (| (( }
8
See 47 CFR 80.1109–Distress, urgency, and safety communications