Display AIS information
With the popularity of the AIS systems, clients are coming to us with the question of what is the best display to show AIS Information.
There are two main alternatives:
- PC
Connection to the PC is done via USB or serial port (for older computers). Nowadays transponders like AIS-CTRX provide a serial data output (RS-232). In order to adapt a computer with USB port an adaptor like this one is needed.
We can recommend any of the following compatible navigation sofware:
* SeaClear
* MaxSea
- Plotter
Most of the current plotters (Raymarine, Furuno, Simrad) decode AIS signals. These signals like in AIS-CTRX transponders are sent with the NMEA standard, so there should be no problem. One important point is that speed of transmission of AIS NMEA is 38.400 bps.
It is also important to know the cabling scheme of the plotter in order to connect the AIS with the plotter. We are referring here to the colour codes of the cables. Note that this is something specific for each manufacturer.
Colission, AIS and the Vendée Globe
We have just received today the news that AIS has once again proven its usefulness. In this case during the prestigious Vendée Globe that has just started.
Thanks to the AIS equipment installed onboard the participants in the regatta, organizers were able to identify the ship responsible for the collision that had escaped the collision area, leaving Bernard Stamm alone. It was not a fishing boat, but a maltese merchant ship of 80 meters length, l’Aibga, registered as a Cargo ship. The pictures of the Cargo found in the internet confirm the color left in the 60 feet monohull boat.
