[PUP] AIS

[John Ford]

On Oct 25, 2008, at 7:05 AM, Robin Roberts wrote:
> We're seeing a disturbing trend of more small (relative to commercial
> ships) pleasure boats getting AIS transmitters and it's not a good
> thing.


Actually I'll have to disagree with you on this one.   When I did my  
trip up to New England last summer, like you I had a Class C AIS  
receiver and thought it was awesome and at that time thought like you  
did.  But after following a few other "Pleasure Boats"  I heard  
nothing but compliments by the commercial ships about how they LIKED  
the smaller boats having AIS.  Later when we were going through the  
fog in Long Island sound I really wished I was transmitting as well.   
So when we built the new "Feisty Lady" a Class A or B transmitter was  
on our wish list.  Now after using my new boat for just a few short  
months I can tell you that I have had more then a DOZEN commercial  
ships hail me and ask me about my transmitter if I was A or B(I have  
the Furuno Class A unit) and thanked me.

I'm sure some captains will become frustrated with the ever increasing  
number of AIS transmitters out there, but I have yet to have heard  
from one yet.  My single biggest frustration though is the number of  
boats that are transmitting the wrong information.   Beam that is  
interchanged with Length, People thinking they are entering things in  
feet when it's in meters, Boats always pointing north, etc.

John Ford
KK44 Feisty Lady
Annapolis, MD