Boat Names and Big Brother

[sandy daugherty]

No, this isn't about risqué innuendo.
Boats with names registered thru Coast Guard Documentation or FCC Ship's Radio Licenses will be able to encode their name in their AIS B data stream. Others will use a state registration number, and called "US#md8181nt" for example, when contacted about a problem by another vessel. If they dial your MMSI number, your VHF will ring like a telephone, and the radio will switch to channel 70. But if they call you on channel 16, you will have to be paying attention. This survey is asking for a count of boats in the US who may not have a registered name.

[Ex-Calif]

So this is for US boats only, right?

[speciald@ocens.]

Ran into a boat in St. Maarten named "I Don't Recall". Owned by someone from Washinton - Ollie North? Can you imagine the VHF conversations with the Coast Guard?

[Talbot]

In UK you get the MMSI number for your VHF from OFCOM. being able to find the MMSI number of a big merch bearing down on you, and then able to call directly to their bridge does speed up the potential for inter boat dialogue. Thus AIS Rx is a great bonus. I remain to be convinced by the Tx capability, believing that this will swamp the system in busy areas such as the channel and around the solent.

[sandy daugherty]

That was the reason for reducing the AIS B radios to 2 watts. With a low mounted antenna we can expect to be seen for around 14 miles. AIS B has been available in Europe for several years, and has not become a problem yet.