For some years websites for viewing marine traffic grew on the web. They transmit continuously via the internet the positions received from the AIS transmitters of the ships, captured by shore-based reception bases, all along the coast. Two of them caught my attention because they present very different options : Marine Traffic and SiiTech. Read more …
Label : AIS
AIS for Dummies
With the progressive generalization of the AIS (transceivers) on board our yachts (¹), and their mandatory presence aboard a large part of merchant ships, capacities for display and processing of targets (surrounding vessels equipped with a transceiver) have significantly improved our security. Still need to know how to interpret this information that, in high-traffic areas, can quickly become a real headache.
In such a situation, better have a quick diagnosis of the risk of collision ! (Weather4D 2.0)
AIS, VHF/DSC radio and LEDs lights
The Department of Ecology, Sustainable Development and Energy, has published in date of 4 August a boating safety alert about LEDs bulbs (¹). The text warns boaters on the risks of radio interference found where the VHF antennas are close to navigation lights or bridge lamps equipped with LEDs bulbs. Read more …
The new TimeZero arrived
You remember the launch of TimeZero in June 2013 and the interest aroused among the many users of MaxSea on PC. I wrote then :
MaxSea is already planning future developments in its application. The next major release will probably see the connection to external instruments WiFi, file transfers (waypoints, routes and tracks files) with other applications, perhaps openness to other charting editors
We waited, hoped, and then Pschiiitt ! More no developments since that date other cosmetic improvements in November 2013 before the Paris boat show. More no contact for me with the developers (I was tester for beta versions). More no news for a year until reported rumors of the last METS of Amsterdam stating that integrating ongoing development (finally) the AIS, and also the WiFi radar DRS4W Furuno. It is now made from the 23 April. Read more …
AIS-Wi-Fi transponder less then 590 EUR
The Taiwanese company Alltek Marine Electronics Corp, also known by the acronym AMEC, spreads specialized for 2006 in the design and manufacturing equipment AIS. In his presentation, AMEC announces that was founded with the aim to provide the best marine electronics for navigation, communication and security. In pursuing this goal, AMEC is committed to provide AIS solutions to meet customer expectations for the quality, the performances, values and services. Its solutions address to commercial vessels, fishing vessels up to pleasure boats. Read more …
An AIS WiFi transponder iNavX compatible
Several AIS receivers are already available with a WiFi hotspot and TCP/IP protocol, as excellent iAIS from Digital Yacht. German company Weatherdock AG is the first, my knowledge, to provide an AIS transponder WiFi compatible with applications as iNavX or iRegatta, capable of receiving data via NMEA TCP /IP protocol. Read more …
When AIS becomes Virtual Aid to Navigation
The acronym " VAtoN " means in English Virtual Aid to Navigation. En Français : Virtual assistance to navigation (¹).
This concept is an extension of AIS. It allows, by means of a spacific AIS transponder located onshore, managed by an administration software, reporting virtually unreported hazard. The position of these hazards is plotted by an AIS target as an appropriate icon. For example, a buoy indicating a flush rock may have been temporarily destroyed by a storm. The VAtoN makes up for the absence of this marks the time that the maritime services back in place. Another example, creating an exclusion area of prohibited anchorage has not yet been an update on ENC charts. Read more …
ADS-B, aviator's AIS
As I have already written, in the word "aircraft" there is "water". Ce n’est pas un hasard. A tel point que depuis plusieurs années le monde de l’aviation développe un concept similaire à l’AIS maritime : ADS-B. I also would not be able to say which of the two is the first , it doesn't matter !
As the news about us is a little flat these days – normal in July – I am interested in aerial navigation by discovering an application for iPad, I speak a little lower.
ADS-B, Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast, which can be translated as "Automatic Dependent Surveillance Broadcast by" generally based on the same principle as the AIS. Only the technical means differ. Read more …
AIS, the second maritime revolution after the GPS
AIS takes a growing place, for two or three years, in the concerns of leisure boaters. Several articles refer to it in this blog, as for equipment as for applications available for our Mac, iPad or iPhone.
Note to neophytes in this subject, or to confirm the knowledge of the most informed of you, it seemed useful to clarify what the AIS means, while just held in Hamburg, the 15 up to 16 of June, International Conference AIS Summit. Read more …
iNavX and SiiTech AIS server
iNavX allows connection, since version 3.1.7 from February the 11 October 2010, to the data server AIS SiiTech I mentioned in a previous post (¹). The benefit of this remains questionable in France because of the low coverage of our coasts. This may change.
Indeed, the number of SiiTech ground stations is increasing, the Channel coast are now well covered, and the Atlantic coast should be progressively equipped (²).
In addition, version 3.2.4 of iNavX comes with an improvement that makes a revival of interest for this feature : it is now available to select the origin point of AIS data from SiiTech server, the position of the ship (that of the iPhone / iPad used), or a previously created waypoint. The reception range is about 30 nautical miles from the place of origin, This greatly increases the coverage of AIS data reception.