[PUP] AIS

[John Marshall]

I have a Class A Furuno AIS transponder, and after a couple of years of 
cruising the PNW with it on, I would agree with John Ford... it lowers the 
stress level for the big guys given they know exactly what I'm doing and 
where I'm going.

That said, the issue of programming the unit properly is key. At the start, 
I didn't have my length info inputed, and VTS kept calling me and trying to 
gather me up into their fold, even when I didn't need or want their help. 
But once I set up all the parameters correctly, and they could see that I'm 
only 18 meters and a pleasure craft, they rarely initiate contacts with me.

I make sure I always update my destination and always enter the right date 
and approximate time of arrival. (The latter two items are only useful to 
ensure that the guy who is reading my data on their screen knows its fresh 
and not some junk I entered a week ago.)

I always monitor the VTS frequency and Channel 13 because piloted cargo 
ships do frequently contact me on those channels to negotiate passage, which 
keeps the stress level lower for both of us. They'll be a dozen boats 
clogging the way in front of a ship, some of those boats bigger than me, but 
I'm the only one they are talking to. I've had container ships look at my 
transmitted destination (say, Pier 66 Seattle) and then make an assumption 
of where I might be making a course change (turning into Elliot Bay in 
Seattle) and call to ask specifically where I was going to make my turn, 
given they were overtaking me. (They'd obviously had boats turn across their 
bow as they made a left turn out of the lanes and into the bay.)  Again, 
stress reduction for them if they know my intentions.

The only danger of using a Class A transponder is that you can fall into the 
habit of 'finessing' your passage, given that both you and the big guy know 
the exact computed CPA (Closest Point of Approach). In other words, passing 
closer to the cargo ship than you otherwise would have, given that you both 
have such detailed and rapidly updated data.

John Marshall


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "John Ford" <johnpford at mac.com>
To: "Passagemaking Under Power List" 
<passagemaking-under-power at lists.samurai.com>
Sent: Saturday, October 25, 2008 5:38 AM
Subject: Re: [PUP] AIS


> 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
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