T&T: AIS

[Milt Baker]

Dave,

I think you have something wrong.  We've run AIS for about 8,500 miles now 
and virtually never find a large ship without it.  When we were at Maremares 
in Puerto la Cruz, it appeared that we had 100% coverage of the ships in the 
anchored offshore and those taking on oil at the terminals.  The Isla Margarita 
ferries, on the other hand, did not carry AIS, presumably because they are 
not engaged in international trade and AIS is not required for non-international
passages.

I am guessing that you may have an antenna problem.  In the Puerto la Cruz
area I used Luis Capriles and his associate Nestor to track down an AIS
antenna problem.  Their shop is at PMO and you can reach them at
0414-811-7522.  Nestor is very good but speaks little English; Luis is good
and speaks excellent English.  They work as a team.  Their prices were very 
fair and I'd use them again.

After using a receive-only AIS unit for many offshore miles, we were so 
impressed with AIS as a collision avoidance tool for passagemaking that 
we have just installed a Furuno two-way AIS.  Next time you cross paths 
with Bluewater, I hope you'll see our AIS signal!

Happy new year,

--Milt Baker, Nordhavn 47 Bluewater


Dave Cooper wrote: 

We are less than a mile from the ferry terminal where they have 3 or 4 
boats daily coming and going plus I have at least 10 oil tankers in visual, 
within 5 miles, at all times. Moving the antenna doesn't seem to be any 
help. So I don't think it is a signal strength issue.

Can it be that this many ships over 300 tons are in violation of the
international laws requiring the use of transponders?

Has anyone else been able to verify the use or lack of use of AIS on ships?