Mandatory AIS ?

R

Riverbed

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Don't know if it's true or not but a couple locals last night were talking about a proposal from Homeland Security to require recreational boaters to install on-board tracking similar to AIS in an effort to lessen terrorist threats. And the boater is s'posed to pay for it. Can't find anything on it - so I hope it's just urban legend... Anyone?
 
It's not an urban legend, however it is unsustainable. Some jamoke in HS thought it would be a great thing to be able to track every boat in the US. The same jamoke failed to consider that on any given summer weekend there are probably as many boats in the water as planes in the air. Addtionally, HS wanted the USCG to monitor the thing and the CG does not have the assets. Considering the average terrorist is stupid (blow themselves up) and not dumb (educated in terror) all they have to do is rip the AIS off power about 1/2 mile from target. Score would become , Terrorists: Yet another win....USA still 0.

The idea was both stupid and dumb on too many levels.
 
It is not required to have a VHF, how can they require an AIS?
That would kill the boating industry.
If a terrorist wants to blow up a ship, do you think they would turn on their AIS?????
Do you think they would input the correct info. into the AIS?????
You could sit at a dock, AIS on, then when a ship passes, crank up and ram it.
The terrorist are going to die, why would they care if you know the name of their boat???
 
quote:
Originally posted by rduhon

It is not required to have a VHF, how can they require an AIS?
That would kill the boating industry.
If a terrorist wants to blow up a ship, do you think they would turn on their AIS?????
Do you think they would input the correct info. into the AIS?????
You could sit at a dock, AIS on, then when a ship passes, crank up and ram it.
The terrorist are going to die, why would they care if you know the name of their boat???

Click to expand...


First, let me say that I'm against the proposal.. Having said that, there's no need to be alarmist. It would not "kill the boating industry" it would be just one more of those things that we would have to Break Out Another Thousand for. I would prefer not to tracked everywhere I am on the water, but if my choice is that or no boating at all I'd install the AIS tomorrow.

I doubt the proposal would do any good for Homeland Security at all for many obvious reasons. You could just pull the fuse and it turns off. It might make search and rescue easier though.
 
There is still no need.
The USCG can monitor the recreational boats AIS signal running into the ships AIS signal.
Them ragheaded suicide bombers don't care if you know their name or route they are traveling.
In order to protect each ship, the USCG will have to have a boat protecting each one. Impossible.
 
Compulsory VHF on recreational boats? I'm for it.
I guess they can make AIS compulsory too just as an Airplane transponder and fine you if not working but $$$ to implement.
Guess too they can start with the "offshore" crowd. <Why am I feeling singled out>??
I can imagine a new reason/law/fine for a boarding: "Navigating without a proper AIS signal"
I'm planning to install one (AIS) anyway so there you go I don't care.
 
On any given weekend in the summer in a busy area, how would anyone know if a few boats didn't have their AIS turned on? All this would do is create another obstacle for the law abiding citizen to have to deal with, as terrorists will not bother to turn theirs on. They turned off the transponders on the jets during the 9/11 attacks so what makes anyone think they would let the AIS turned on? Stupid idea, I hate it. Soon won't be any fun to do anything.
JMHO
 
I can't see how it would be of much use as an anti-terrorist device as they can always shut the thing off one way or another. However as a safety device it's probably a good idea, and having LOTS of them should bring the price down. I can remember when VHF was too expensive for pleasure boats; now everyone has at least two...

WHEN it gets affordable I'll probably get one; it's nice to know what the big boys are up to...
 
The terrorists would be set back more if we could just enforce licensing of boaters.;)
 
There has been some talk/chatter in the commercial work boat world that mandatory AIS on all vessels is a move to eliminate marine radar so as to open up those frequencies used by radar for broadband/wireless providers and to use the proceeds from the leasing of those frequencies to provide a revenue stream to a Federal Government desperate for cash.
 
Radar is used for more than just knowing where other boats really are but also where obstacle are so I don't see how that would ever be a real option.

As for AIS it is a great idea, something they should have done long ago. They could require terrorists to use a special code so we always know where they are. I use the Ship Finder iPhone App and it would be great if they could be identified in a different color so you could follow them around. Maybe have them identified with an icon instead of just a different color, like a stick of dynamite, that would be kind of fun also.
 
I think we should implant a ais in all the terrorists ass. Then we can follow them around even when they are taking a dump in the hole they dug in the sand.

Did i just write that HAH ?
 
But first we gotta catch 'em.... and once we do that we ALREADY know where they are! AIS not required.
 
quote:
Originally posted by boatbum

The terrorists would be set back more if we could just enforce licensing of boaters.;)

Click to expand...


They don't need a license. If it was required, they can just steal a boat, load it down with bombs and ram a ship/dock...
 
actually its not such a bad idea when you think about it. the technology is now there to combine the AIS/GPS/VHF into one unit. the reason its not a relatively inexpensive option today is because the production qty of this isnt there yet. if a phased in requirement to have these was in place, the cost of these would be about the same as an ordinary VHF. i dont think having a VHF on all boats is a deal breaker for anyone. in fact its excellent safety gear for all boats to have on board at all times. the USCG's Rescue 21 system is based on DSC VHF's. if the GPS function was built in and coupled with an AIS transponder, false mayday's would be a thing of the past and SAR's would be even more effective and thus likely require less assets to provide. sounds like a winner for everyone in my book.
 
You are not going to find an AIS/GPS combo that is the same price as a VHF.
I operate 2 Radars with AIS interfaced on each radar on an oil platform in the GOM.
It is a Furuno 120 mile radar. The AIS units for these are about the same cost as
the radars.
 
"You are not going to find an AIS/GPS combo that is the same price as a VHF"

Not YET...
 
Remember when VHF's cost several hundred dollars? Nowadays they
are at $75 more or less (inexpensive ones) so even more usage
(compulsory for recreational) would bring prices even lower.
Same with Radars. Technology and mass production will put them
on an affordable level (At least the 2--30 mile units)
My guess is AIS will follow the same.
Heck I remember when a digital wristwatch cost over $200 !!
 
What is the reason that the govt. really wants a AIS in every boat ?

Yes i have 2 vhs radios, one hard wired i use with a large 8 foot antenee.

And one handheld, battery operated.
 
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