AIS transponder

[michael1923]

I know Nick recently asked a similar question but it didn't get much response so i'll put it here and ask again. I am specifically interested at night.

I'm close to buying an AIS class B transponder.
Does anyone have any points they can raise about them.
I want it so i can fish at night out deep with the knowledge it will both transmit and recieve and hopefully make other shipping traffic aware of my position hence avoid me.

It is the transponder not the AIS engine i'm interested in. My plotter is compatible so i have no problems there just any knowledge on possible issues and of course if the tankers etc will actually move to avoid a small fishing vessel when they get the alarm sound on the bridge.

Thanks for any help.

Mike

[sailorboyrob]

Hit there Mike I cant help with the technical stuff as im an engineer not a deck officer but the issue of whether tankers will move out of the way is a very grey area. No tanker will hit you on purpose but you need to put your self in the shoes of the officer on watch. How do they know your intentions, can they safely alter course if they need to, remember it can take a long time for a large ship to alter course significantly and they are restricted by depth as well all the other directions. Your best bet for being seen at night is to make sure you are well lit and displaying the correct lights depending on what you are doing. There should be at least 2 people on the bridge at all times during darkness so there is little chance of you not being seen at all. You should also invest in a decent radar reflector. Hope this helps
Rob

[Sunny]

My interest was in fishing the eastern approaches to the Solent and the area around St Catherines ....... like Mike

We want to be able to fish at night without be petrified averytime we see large shipping nav lights. I hear what you say (Rob) about radar reflectors, but they rely ont he bridge crew monitoring the radar; whereas AIS will audibly alert them of a *conflict*.

Unless I have read the bumpf incorrectly the approaching vessel will be aware that you are stationary; which should be a specific indicator for them to know that you are at anchor. Obviously all bets are off if you are in the middle of a channel shipping lane, but on the Solent approaches they are going slower and have sterring options. I was more concerned about ferrys then tankers. Ferrys are the biggest risk to our lives when we are fishing east of the island; especially at night.

AIS engines in this respect are good in that they give you advance warning, but they don't tell the approaching vessel of your situation. The Class B transponders for small vessels cover this shortfall.... or at least that's what they appear to do

[sailorboyrob]

Jun 9, 2009 15:57:35 GMT Sunny said:

We want to be able to fish at night without be petrified averytime we see large shipping nav lights. I hear what you say (Rob) about radar reflectors, but they rely ont he bridge crew monitoring the radar; whereas AIS will audibly alert them of a *conflict*.

I dont know what the set up on the ferries is but on the ships I work on the AIS, ECDIS and RADAR are all linked together with the GPS to display the position and heading of all the traffic in the area on the chart plotter. Its fairly clever but makes everyones position very obvious. As for the radars being monitored there are systems bulit into each of the RADARS that will alarm if a collision situation arises as will the AIS and all manner of other alarms and buzzers. If the closest point of approach CPA gets below 1nm of another vessel that has been picked up by the radars, AIS or what ever else is up there the bridge sounds more like a disco than anything else with buzzers and sirens going off all over the place. of course for this to work you need to make yourself visible to the ship, IE radar reflectors and AIS. With a decent radar reflector you will be seen from over 20miles away, if this is backed up by the correct signals and AIS info of what your intentions are then the worst case situation should never arrise. The officer of the watch should be constsntly monitring all of the electronic systems whilst a crew member will be lookout with binos.
Of course there are dodgy flag of convienence ships out the who dont know how to operate the equipment they have or in some cases dont know the rule of the road, your best bet is to pray you never meet one of them!!

[michael1923]

Thanks sailorboyrob

I must admit you back up my thoughts on this subject.

I carry a radar reflector but as far as to say is it good, i doubt it, i carry it more for peace of mind of my passengers rather than it's reflecting properties.

Both Nick and i work with Radar so have a considerable understanding of it but it's great that you replied and cleared up issues we have with the recognition of the AIS side of things on the bridge.
The plan is to be sat at anchor with the transponder both transmitting and recieving so not only will the bridge get a warning of our whereabouts but we should also get one of there approach on our plotters.
My understanding was, as you clarified, the bridge will get our speed and bearing, i.e being at anchor.
The issue i do have is - it also logs our mmsi number and callsign aswell as the vessel type etc.
It is this information i'm concerned about it goes without saying that if they were heading straight on to an anchored 1000 ton tanker they would move out of the way but would they be of the same opinion if they were in the same situation but with an 18ft 750kg fishing boat. I'm hoping the answer is yes even if it's purely to not get into any shite with the replays available due to us transponding.

[sailorboyrob]

All I can say is that everyone I have sailed with would alter course for an anchored boat what ever the size, but I cant speak for everyone out there!!
Im back off to sea this eve so will speak to the guys on the ship when I get there and let you know their opinions on the subject.

[michael1923]

Cheers mate.

[Salar]

Call me cynical but I would not rely on any ship to avoid me, if one was coming my way I would move. So in my opinion Class B transponder is pointless, better to set your plotter alarm and be ready to move if you have to. Ships still regularly bang into buoys that are marked, charted, lit and have radar reflectors!

[michael1923]

Good point

I'm still in the thinking process, i think i will get one eventually i'm sure they have anti-collision avoidance.

[sailorboyrob]

Have just spoken to a few of the guys on the bridge about AIS systems on fishing boats and the responce was "F****G fishing boats! I have enough trouble bringing this thing in with out them getting in the way! but at least if they have an AIS I will know where they are" apparently radar is fairly useless on a small boat cos they are too low to the water and get disguised by the waves and the fact that they are normally white makes them nearly invisible in the glare. His advice was to fit a good quality AIS, keep it up dated and make sure that you are properly lit showing the correct colours in the correct positions and then you should be safe. In his opinion the only thing worse than a fishing boat are the dreaded WAFIs (Wind assisted ****** Idiots). So there you are guys AIS seems to be the way forward.

[michael1923]

Thanks Rob appreciate the time you put in to ask for us.

Your right about Radar but trying to get some people to realise how it works is not worth the hassle.

Looks like AIS will be fitted fairly soon then.
Once again thanks

[Sunny]

Jun 16, 2009 12:23:51 GMT @michael1923 said:

Thanks Rob appreciate the time you put in to ask for us.

Your right about Radar but trying to get some people to realise how it works is not worth the hassle.

Looks like AIS will be fitted fairly soon then.
Once again thanks

Yep - thanks Rob... for the information and the humour

Glad the big boys appreciate our presence :moon: ;D