Well...AIS is receive (i.e. "seeing nearby vessels") and - depending on device - transmit (i.e. "informing nearby vessels about your vessel"). Folks on this thread have expressed a variety of preferences - some like the info, some want the other vessels to behave differently (!), some like "privacy". So some want what I guess is better software on their chartplotter (to filter out "too many boats") and others want to turn transmit off at various times. Sure, you can put a breaker / switch on AIS to turn it off. And some (most?) transcievers have a "silent" mode that stops transmitting.My AIS has an on/off button. Not unique in this respect I'd guess, so not seeing nearby vessels (why not?) can be accommodated.
Shouldn't have taken that long to find it. All you had to do was follow the links you had already posted, like I did.Took me a while to find that - here is the link to http://navcen.uscg.gov/pdf/AIS/33_CFR_164_AIS_2015_FR_linked.pdf
But you certainly did some selective editing there, leaving out:
§ 164.01 Applicability.
...
d) Provisions of § 164.46 apply to some self-propelled
vessels of less than 1600 gross tonnage.
One last (maybe) comment;
When trying to wade through Part 164, which is but a thumbnail of the big picture, it becomes apparent how difficult it must be for LEOs to know how to enforce these things either at sea or on land.
But, like I said earlier, we must ensure there is a jug of Nun’s Island in the desk drawer of every lawyer.
I have plenty of examples of navigating without having the radar on because it is of no consequence.Modify the meaning? Not in my mind, but in the interest of completeness, here is the rest of that FAQ:
The Navigation Rules are not meant to discourage the use of any device, rather they expect prudent mariners to avail themselves of all available means appropriate...as to make full appraisal of the situation (Rule 5), e.g. the use of radar. At issue is whether the use of radar is appropriate in the prevailing circumstances and that is a determination made by the Master; and, ultimately decided by a trier of fact.So, ok, you'll get your day in court via "due process", which is constitutional (in the US). I can't wait to hear the arguments against using Radar (and AIS) - I'll bet it sounds like the guy this summer who was found guilty of "homicide by watercraft" who claimed he was in the "fast lane" on Lake Washington.
"Prevailing circumstances"........why even use the word if the requirement is 100 percent "must".
Ah, OK. That's what I believed when I wrote that message, and it aligns with what you and Marin have said, but...it doesn't really align with the NavRules FAQ (which I also posted). That FAQ was last updated last month - could it be that the USCG's thinking has "evolved"? Or is it possible that everyone got it wrong previously?Sorry, I misread post 88 where you did say radar is not required to operate at all times.
...could it be that the USCG's thinking has "evolved"?
It comes down to using good, sound judgement. That's what the USCG really cares about and what your insurer cares about. Even what courts care about. If you're out running offshore at night then you better be using your radar and anything else you can use. If you're doing a day trip on the ICW you better be keeping your eye on the water and all the boats that you can see just by looking, because one or more of those boats may do something crazy and you won't be warned of that by a radar. Then if there happen to be a few water skiers or boarders or PWC's, concentrating on what is in front of you becomes even more critical. The most disconcerting situation I can recall recently is a Whaler pulling someone on a tube across right in front of us. The Whaler cleared easily, but if the person on the tube had gotten tossed off, only our attention would have prevented harm.
Sorry Jim, in all the dust, I missed this one earlier.I don't know what you mean by definitive. I would suggest however he would qualify as an expert in these matters, given his practice is maritime law (I, on the other hand am no such expert). He is a member of the Transportation Appeal Tribunal of Canada. His bonafides were deemed sufficient qualification to earn his position on that tribunal.
So...if you're only using your radar when you run at night, how do you know what the radar returns represent? How does that work out for the beginning boater? Inquiring minds and all...
So...if you're only using your radar when you run at night, how do you know what the radar returns represent? How does that work out for the beginning boater? Inquiring minds and all...
So...if you're only using your radar when you run at night, how do you know what the radar returns represent? How does that work out for the beginning boater? Inquiring minds and all...
Jim
Sent from my iPad using Trawler Forum
Well certainly AIS is a big advantage if the target is transmitting. If you have a plotter that the radar overlays, you can often determine if the target is a landmass or navigation aid. Newer radars also have ARPA which allows you to highlight a target and see if it's moving. The radar over a short period of time will then determine speed and course of the target, closest point of approach, and if on a intersecting course, time to intersection. Lots of neat features to modern radar, but you need to practice a fair amount on a nice clear day to help you understand what the radar is showing you. I run mine whenever I'm underway. As I travel at slower speeds, I get passed a lot. It's easy to learn your radar with overtaking objects as the time period to intersection is much slower.So...if you're only using your radar when you run at night, how do you know what the radar returns represent? How does that work out for the beginning boater? Inquiring minds and all...
Jim
Sent from my iPad using Trawler Forum
I've noted that some boaters don't always use their AIS when underway. So, why have it and not use it? Is it perceived as an invasion of privacy?
.............................. I question why so many boaters don't seem to be able, or know how to turn their AIS transmitters off. I went into Baltimore a couple of weeks ago and had over a dozen AIS collision warnings on my plotter. All from docked boats.
Some AIS units cannot be turned off.
........................... we were cruising back from south Fl. and on the ICW the unit alarmed with a notice of collision in 6 min as I was being overtaken by a 47' boat doing 35knts. With the name of the boat right there it was easy to call him and ask for a slow pass using the boat name and mentioning his overtake speed and letting him know just how far I was ahead of him i was, he responded immediately and gave a nice, well coordinated slow pass..
That's true. I saw yours the other day docked at Salmon Bay. That doesn't mean you are on board. But if someone sees on AIS that you are on the move, sees your blog is updated, and your facebook status says what a good time you are having wherever, then someone can be reasonably sure you aren't home. Finding an address on the internet is easy. Using google street view shows someone what it looks like. For me, not broadcasting my AIS position is part of an overall personal risk management plan. Just like not updating a blog in real time, not showing my SPOT location on a blog, not updating social media while away from home, and having a home security system. Maybe I'm paranoid or giving criminals more credit than they deserve, or both. Burglary rings use facebook status to target victims. AIS is similar location based information. They may never catch on, but if or when they do, I won't be a target.
I agree that we have to be careful, but if your boat is federally documented, your home address is available on-line so if your boat is seen docked in Beaufort, NC, a potential thief can look it up and see that you live in Georgetown, SC and deduce that you're not home and won't be home for a few days.
.
Get it.
Although for your example of when it would be really useful I suggest finding out how many of those tugs have it. When in BC I noticed that the tugs with log booms more often than not did not have AIS. In my view it should be mandatory for all commercial vessels, but I don't think that's the case at this point of time.
I'm thinking about getting an AIS receiver/transponder thingamajig. Read this whole post and think I want it. I travel the ICWG a lot and find that the tug traffic can get hairy sometimes-like this past weekend heading East into a 35 mph wind and a tugs with a 6 pack tows coming at you around a bend, getting crossways in the channel. Avoided trouble by reducing speed from 7knts to 0 knts. Also, would like the other vessels to know who and where, etc., I am. It's also easier to communicate by vhf if I know the vessel's name, heading,etc. Unfortunately, I'm ignorant about this technology and do not want to buy the wrong thing or over spend for a new gadget that I can really do without. I want it but I don't need it type of thing. If you know what I mean. Any suggestions?
Or if you use a PO Box as the address...Not true in all cases. For instance, boats owned by LLC's or Corporations.