[PUP] AIS pitfalls

[Truelove39@aol.com]

As we proceeded up the Hudson River today, a tow hove into view  ahead. 
Penny, at the helm, noted that he was upbound, too. After a few  minutes, I looked 
up and observed that the tug was not only closer but behind  the barge; he was 
in fact, downbound. A glance at the AIS display (on CE)  showed the triangle 
symbol facing the wrong way! Further investigation showed  that all the data 
was correct, including course, but his heading was fixed at 17  degrees! So we 
learned something today, fortunately not the hard way: a  simple glance at 
that elongated triangle may not always tell the  truth!
 
Regards,
 
John
"Seahorse"



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