AIS

[eric3a]

..

[Shane]

kevperro,

big disclaimer here - I haven't done this, this is only how I'm understanding it.

If you already have a computer, and compatible s/ware check out

http://www.milltechmarine.com/products.htm

from their, if you can tie back into your plotter via NMEA2000 system, or RS232 data, you should be able to have the data displayed at your helm.

I would think radar would be more valuable though because it gives you a picture of ALL ships, not just AIS transmitting ones.

Agreed, and they are 2 different animals and in no way can AIS replace radar (or vice versa). However, at $200 vs $1500 (?) radar add-on, an AIS receiver can fill in some of the void.

Yes... your right there is a big price delta. I don't see $200 solutions though. Am I missing something or is that just the projected cost?

Back to the general AIS background references, more info at this page:

http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/enav/ais/default.htm

Regards,
Shane

[Jim Cate]

My view on an AIS receiver for a Mac:
Really depends where you sail and what kind of traffic you're getting, but I'd say just stay away from any AIS transmitting traffic altogether.

I sail the Houston channel at night often nowadays (almost every night), where traffic of large ships, barges and tugs are all required to have AIS transponders. It gets busy.

Eric, out of curiosity, why do you sail the Houston ship channel "almost every night"? Where are you trying to get to? - I've gone down it several times during the day, and I've come into Galveston through the jetties from offshore at night, but I can't quite understand going down the channel "often" at night.

Jim