Ais

[coppertop 1958]

What is AIS?
AIS is initially intended to help ships avoid collisions, as well as assisting port authorities to better control sea traffic. AIS transponders on board vessels include a GPS (Global Positioning System) receiver, which collects position and movement details.


http://www.marinetraffic.com/ais/default.aspx?centerx=30&centery=25&zoom=2&level1=140#

[Kodiak]

AIS transponders
Automatic identification systems (AISs) are designed to be capable of providing information about the ship to other ships and to coastal authorities automatically.
Regulations for carriage of AIS (http://www.imo.org/Safety/mainframe.asp?topic_id=754#regulations)
Maritime security - AIS ship data (http://www.imo.org/Safety/mainframe.asp?topic_id=754#aisdata)
Regulations for carriage of AIS
Regulation 19 of SOLAS (http://www.imo.org/Conventions/index.asp?topic_id=250) Chapter V - Carriage requirements for shipborne navigational systems and equipment - sets out navigational equipment to be carried on board ships, according to ship type. In 2000, IMO adopted a new requirement (as part of a revised new chapter V) for all ships to carry automatic identification systems (AISs) capable of providing information about the ship to other ships and to coastal authorities automatically.
The regulation requires AIS to be fitted aboard all ships of 300 gross tonnage and upwards engaged on international voyages, cargo ships of 500 gross tonnage and upwards not engaged on international voyages and all passenger ships irrespective of size. The requirement became effective for all ships by 31 December 2004.


http://www.ais-live.co.uk/AIS%20Live/aissolent.html


http://www.imo.org/Safety/mainframe.asp?topic_id=754