Class B AIS finally approved

[AnchorageGuy]

Yes it has finally happened according to the folks at Panbo. Have a read

Panbo: The Marine Electronics Weblog: Class B AIS, finally the FCC Order

[s/v 'Faith']

Yes, I read about that on SSCA too.

I know it is exciting to some, but Given the rumblings from the USCG, I doubt this will be voluntary for long.

Manditory AIS powerhungry devices are not wanted or welcome onboard every boat...

[donradcliffe]

Great news! Hopefully the Class B AIS vendors will have their act together by the boat show">Annapolis Boat Show.

[AnchorageGuy]

Originally Posted by s/v 'Faith'

Yes, I read about that on SSCA too.

I know it is exciting to some, but Given the rumblings from the USCG, I doubt this will be voluntary for long.

Manditory AIS powerhungry devices are not wanted or welcome onboard every boat...

We have been down this road before. making AIS mandatory for pleasure boats is highly unlikely and rejecting new equipment because it might be mandatory would put us back to running our boats with nothing but a compass. If certain equipment is not welcome on your boat don't install it but many of us have been waiting for this for quite some time.

[David M]

Originally Posted by s/v 'Faith'

Yes, I read about that on SSCA too.

I know it is exciting to some, but Given the rumblings from the USCG, I doubt this will be voluntary for long.

Manditory AIS powerhungry devices are not wanted or welcome onboard every boat...

I really don't think you need to worry. I know for a fact the commercial guys do not want their screens cluttered up with every yacht out there. I dont think the Coast Guard will mandate it for pleasure boats below a certain size.

[Sunspot Baby]

I think there will be little benefit because the large vessels will not pick us up and they're the ones we are worried about.

Can't count on small boats to be looking for a class B since most don't even have a class A receiver.

George

[AnchorageGuy]

For those of you that think it is of no value and no one will won't it or use it or want to pay for it I suggest you don't. The post was to let those who have been waiting for approval know it has come and was not meant to debate the use or issues with class B AIS. If you would like to do that then maybe a new thread should be started.

[David M]

Its Chuck's thread and I agree with Chuck. Does anyone want to discuss the merits or ill merits of AIS on another thread?

[Sunspot Baby]

I wasn't trying to high-jack the thread start a debate, just offering an observation.

George

[cabo_sailor]

I was all for getting one until I heard that the big boys with Class A systems can lock out the B's to prevent clutter on their screens. If this is true it seems to make the system kind of useless IMO. Although I still would want a receiver.

[AnchorageGuy]

Originally Posted by cabo_sailor

I was all for getting one until I heard that the big boys with Class A systems can lock out the B's to prevent clutter on their screens. If this is true it seems to make the system kind of useless IMO. Although I still would want a receiver.

There is another thread on the merits or lack of for the system but I will add this to your thoughts. We talked with several tug Captains along the Gulf coast and they would very much like to know where we are and what we are doing and if the capability is there on AIS they will most certainly use it. So to assume every ship will filter out Class B is foolish. They do have the option but does not mean in all cases they will exercise that option.

[bstreep]

If a captain filters out Class B, and then has a collision, he's been irresponsible.

[sandy daugherty]

Please check out the discussion at http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...s-b-19641.html

There are a couple of misunderstandings in the posts above. A quick check at the Panbo site will reveal that even the earliest Class A receivers will show Class B targets and their course/speed/CPAs. While there are filters to reduce clutter on some separate AIS displays, ther are no built in database filters to block Class B targets. If someone finds a work-around to do that, only one captain is going to sail with Class B targets blocked; after the trial every captain on the face of the earth will be showing Class B on the Bridge.
Power consumption and price are issues, but there are answers already. Read up.