Monthly Archive: April 2009

Raymarine AIS plotting, “buddies” & more 2

Raymarine AIS plotting, “buddies” & more

Raymarine_AIS_display.JPG

If I understand the timing correctly, about when Raymarine starts shipping its new AIS 500 Class B transponder in May, it will also offer software updates for A, C, E, and G Series MFDs that provide some AIS plotting improvements. On top of the list is “buddy tracking”, which I consider a valuable feature, though the term — used by several manufacturers — is a bit misleading…

AIS SOLAS-style, Class B is NOT ignorable! 15

AIS SOLAS-style, Class B is NOT ignorable!

Thanks to an angelic Panbot, I’ve now read pertinent sections of IEC 62288, a.k.a. “Maritime navigation and radiocommunication equipment and systems – Presentation of navigation-related information on shipborne navigational displays – General requirements, methods of testing and required test results.” It’s a hundred pages (preview PDF here) laying out in great detail the minimum requirements for how all new radars going on SOLAS ships will perform and present data.  Perhaps most important among many mandated enhancements is the treatment of AIS targets, Class B included, putting them on essentially the same level of safety value as radar targets.  I think these standards are good news not only for the bridge teams on big ships, but also us little guys who sometimes travel amongst them (despite the consternation that came up yesterday)…