Hi Rick,
I quite agree. It also points out the nature of AIS and how to think about it.
If it gives you a signal of significance, that's great. But negative data
doesn't mean that you are safe. It is of value when used in conjunction with
radar in that you may spot a "hit" on the radar screen, and the AIS "may" then
give you additional detail of the size of the vessel, nature of vessel, SOG,
COG, MMSI and Call Signal.

I am in the process of becoming familiar with AIS, and it was a good lesson
telling me that it is of more value as information but doesn't have the high
critical value and can't be relied upon to the extent of GPS and Radar.
However, we have all learned the limits of dependency upon our GPS and Radar,
and know that can also screw up.

I also wonder about how the warships in our harbor must feel about the fact
that they are transmitting info on their exact location, SOG and COG. I assume
that they turn that off when they are in a combat zone. But warships in local
harbors are generally careful to observe rules of the road. The bloody
Hornblower Whale Watching boats here in San Diego are repeatedly violating
civility and rules of the road.
Harvey

> ....and that bumping
> into them would probably ruin an otherwise nice day. Plan accordingly.
>
> Cheers,
> Rick EmersoN

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Received on Sat Jan 6 07:07:27 2007