Ais Function; About Ais; Ais Classes - Icom IC-M510BB Instruction Manual

NOTE: The IC-M510BB can be input AIS information from the built-in AIS receiver or an
external NMEA 0183 or NMEA 2000 sentence source.

■ About AIS

The Automatic Identification System (AIS) is primarily used for collision-risk management
and navigation safety. It can automatically transmit and receive vessel information, such
as the vessel name, MMSI code, vessel type, position data, speed, course, destination,
and more, depending on the class. Information is exchanged among vessels and/or base
stations on the VHF maritime mobile band. The information helps to identify other nearby
vessels or stations by displaying the received data on a plotter or a radar screen.
Other vessel
(Class B AIS)

■ AIS classes

There are 7 types of AIS stations, vessels, base stations, Search and Rescue (SAR),
Aids to Navigation (AtoN), Search and Rescue Transmitter (AIS-SART), Man OverBoard
(MOB), and Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon-AIS (EPIRB-AIS).
There are 2 classes of AIS units, which are installed on vessels, Class A and Class B.
Under the Safety Of Life At Sea (SOLAS) convention, all SOLAS vessels, as described
below, are required to install a Class A AIS transponder:
• Upwards of 300 gross tonnage engaged on international voyages.
• Passenger vessels, irrespective of size, engaged on international voyages.
• Upwards of 500 gross tonnage not engaged on international voyages.
A Class B AIS transponder is designed to be interoperability with Class A units, but not to
impact the Class A network.
Many commercial vessels, and some leisure craft, not classified as requiring a Class A
unit, choose to install a Class B unit to avoid accidents at sea.

AIS FUNCTION

Other vessel
(Class A AIS)
Vessel Information
Your vessel
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Base Station
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