AIS

AIS stands for Automatic Identification System, a maritime navigation safety tool that transmits vessel information over VHF radio to other ships and coastal authorities.

Developed to improve safety at sea, AIS provides real-time data such as MMSI, vessel name, type, position, course, speed, and navigational status. Under SOLAS amendments, Class A AIS is mandatory for most international voyages on larger ships; Class B is for smaller vessels.

Data is broadcast via VHF channels and can be supplemented by satellite AIS for coverage beyond line of sight. AIS requires a transceiver and typically uses GPS for positioning. Coastal stations and ship traffic services use AIS inputs for monitoring and routing.

Uses include collision avoidance, route planning, vessel tracking for search and rescue, port management, and integration with radar, ECDIS, and maritime safety systems. It enhances situational awareness but is not a substitute for watchkeeping; data quality and coverage may vary, and AIS can be spoofed or misreported.

In addition to maritime AIS, the acronym AIS may appear in other contexts such as Artificial Intelligence System, but in shipping and safety the term most commonly refers to Automatic Identification System.