T&T: AIS Misinformation

[Krogenguy]

For all those who think that AIS is the answer to navigation  
situations, I would suggest you cruise through the recent Panbo blog  
at (http://www.panbo.com/).   Check out the Nautical Institutes AIS  
Forum.  Now that was a most in-lighting experience.  If the pros are  
having problems getting the ships data correct what do you think will  
be the result when/if a bunch of us amateurs install either Class A  
or B AIS transmitters and have to input ships data.  I have already  
observed transmitted heading data that was 135 degrees off the ships  
actual heading and course plus the usual misinformation like being at  
anchor while actually underweigh.  The data from my radar confirmed  
what I was seeing visually.  Can't imagine trying to deal with that  
problem in the fog.

  I suppose the future will be another layer of USCG or DOT  
certification for AIS installers and users or perhaps a required &   
certified onboard AIS watch stander.  Maybe that will fix the data  
problem.  Time for me to think of a place to berth this person, hehe.

Tom
Aventura
KK-42 #204
krogenguy@comcast.net