Page 40: of Marine News Magazine (April 2016)

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TECHNOLOGY

Credit: Stevens Towing Co., Inc.

AIS

Regulations

Present

New Responsibilities – and Opportunities

March Coast Guard deadline represents milestone for AIS use in U.S. waters.

By Jules Riegal rom increasing situational awareness and enhancing vessels certi? cated to carry more than 150 passengers; ves- the safety and security of maritime transportation, to sels that move or carry certain hazardous cargo; and vessels

Fits use in accident investigation, search and rescue, that engage in dredging in or near a commercial channel.

Aids to Navigation and asset monitoring, the role of AIS Most commercial vessels will need to install AIS Class A (Automatic Identi? cation System) as a ? exible and devel- devices, but certain vessels, including ? shing industry ves- oping technology continues to grow in signi? cance. The sels, dredges and small passengers vessels that operate out- month of March 2016 – has come and gone – and repre- side US Vessel Traf? c Service (VTS) Areas or at speeds less sents an important milestone which will increase the prev- than 14 knots, can use the considerably less expensive Class alence and general awareness of AIS. As new United States B device. The Coast Guard estimates that the cost per vessel

Coast Guard regulations are introduced, more commercial will be $3,200 for a Class A device and $700 for a Class B vessels working along US coasts will need to be equipped device, which includes operations and maintenance costs.

with AIS, affecting all mariners in US waters. After taking many years to ? nalize, the rule became ef-

The new AIS mandate will require a wide range of US- fective on March 2 2015, with compliance required on ? ag and foreign-? ag commercial vessels operating along March 1 2016. Those who fail to comply risk a civil pen-

US coasts, in ports, rivers, lakes and seas, to install and alty. Vessels that operate solely within a very con? ned area, operate a USCG type-approved AIS transceiver before or on only short scheduled voyages; or that are not likely the March 1 2016 deadline. Owners or operators affected to encounter other AIS-equipped vessels; or whose design include existing AIS users who operate commercial self- or construction makes it impracticable to operate an AIS propelled vessels of 65 feet or more in length or, for towing device may seek – in writing – as much as a 5-year exemp- vessels, 26 feet or more and more than 600 hp; passenger tion from this requirement.

Product images above courtesy: ACR Electronics

April 2016

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