The impression that I had, in my discussion with the Coast Guard, was that
they are turning a blind eye to the issue. Odd, since the original rationale
for this helpful system was that it was part of the new "Homeland Security"
system.

They pretended to listen more attentively when I alluded to the fact the I
had been a Lt. Commander in the Coast Guard. (Long time ago, and I hardly
deserved the rank, as it was related to my being in the Public Health
Service as a physician, not because of any maritime skills.) But they still
didn't do anything about it, as far as I can tell. Yesterday, several of
these large tour boats when zooming by us out in the ocean, searching for
whales, and clearly not transmitting any AIS signal that I could detect.
However, all the cruise ships in our harbor, as well as freighters and
megayachts, do comply with AIS.

It is actually quite neat. We saw this massive floating city, a.k.a., luxury
cruise ship, coming out of the harbor, and we could read it's name, course
and SOG right on our chartplotter.

regards,
Harvey
----- Original Message -----
From: "Richard Cassano" <rcassano@optonline.net>
To: <baba-l@ballreich.net>
Sent: Sunday, February 25, 2007 7:38 AM
Subject: Re: [Baba-L] AIS plotting

> Harvey,
>
> I recently sent an email to the USCG asking what they would like
> recreational boaters to do when we find commercial shipping that is not
> transmitting AIS. I asked if they want reports via Telephone, VHF, SSB or
> email to help with compliance of the AIS requirements.
>
> So far, the Coast Guard did not respond to the email.
>
> Rich Cassano
>
> Harvey J. Karten wrote:
>> Hi Rick,
>> I believe that the number is anything over 300 tons or 65 feet in length.
>> Despite that ruling, the local Whale Watching Hornblower company's boats
>> don't transmit. They have been reported to the USCG, but still don't
>> comply.
>>
>> Harvey Karten
>>
>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Rick Williams"
>> <rwsail35@houston.rr.com>
>> To: <baba-l@ballreich.net>
>> Sent: Sunday, February 25, 2007 6:15 AM
>> Subject: Re: [Baba-L] AIS plotting
>>
>>
>>> Yes it be true. All shipping over 100 tons is required to transmit AIS.
>>> Fair winds, blue water.
>>> Rick & Terry Williams
>>> S/V Lorac; Baba 30 # 71
>>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Richard Cassano"
>>> <rcassano@optonline.net>
>>> To: <baba-l@ballreich.net>
>>> Sent: Thursday, February 22, 2007 8:48 AM
>>> Subject: Re: [Baba-L] AIS plotting
>>>
>>>
>>>> I believe all commercial shipping in US water is required to transmit
>>>> AIS. Check the USCG web site for the details.
>>>>
>>>>> http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/enav/ais/default.htm
>>>>
>>>> Rich Cassano
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Sonadora wrote:
>>>>> Does anyone know if AIS is available on inland waterways? This could
>>>>> be
>>>>> useful in some of the narrower spots of the Miss. and Tombigbee to be
>>>>> sure
>>>>> you can make way without a tow approaching.
>>>>>
>>>>> Rick Beddoe
>>>>> s/v Soņadora, 1978 Baba 30
>>>>> Minneapolis, MN
>>>>> http://sail2live.com
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
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>>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
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>>>
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>>
>>
>>
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>
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Received on Sun Feb 25 08:16:09 2007