<li><a href="http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/loran/default.htm">LORAN C</a></li>
                      <li><a href="https://navcen.uscg.gov/irvmc">Inland River 
                        Vessel Movement Center</a></li>
                      <li><a href="http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/cgsic">Civil GPS Service Interface Committee</a></li>
                      <li><a href="http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/enav/ais/default.htm">Automatic Identification 
                        System</a></li>
                      <li><a href="http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/enav/default.htm">Electronic Navigation &amp; 
                        Charting</a></li>
                    </ul>
                  </div></td>
              </tr>
              <tr> 
                
    <td class="primary_section_title">Maritime Information:</td>
              </tr>
              <tr> 
                <td><div class="left_nav_menu"> 
                    
        <ul class="navlist1_mainv3">
          <li><a href="http://homeport.uscg.mil/" target="new">USCG "Homeport" Website</a></li>
	      <li><a href="http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/mwv/vts/vts_home.htm"> Vessel Traffic Services</a></li>             
          <li><a href="http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/marcomms/gmdss">Global Maritime Distress and Safety 
            System</a></li>
          <li><a href="http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/marcomms/cgcomms/nds.htm">CG Nat'l Distress System</a></li>
          <li><a href="http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/marcomms/gmdss/dsc.htm">Digital Selective Calling</a></li>
          <li><a href="http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/marcomms/gmdss/msi.htm">Marine Safety Information Broadcasts</a></li>
		 <li><a href="http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/marcomms/vhf.htm">VHF Channels &amp; Freqs </a></li>
         <li><a href="http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/marcomms/high_frequency/default.htm">MF &amp; HF Channels</a></li>
        <li><a href="http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/marcomms/gmdss/dsc.htm">Digital Selective Calling</a></li>
        <li><a href="http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/pubs">Nav Pubs and Documents</a></li>
                          
          <li><a href="http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/marcomms/watch.htm">Radio Watch Requirements</a></li>
        </ul>
                  </div></td>
              </tr>
            </tbody></table><!-- #EndLibraryItem --></td>
    <td valign="top"> 
	
<table align="center" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="3">
              <tbody><tr>
                <td valign="top" width="700"><center><span class="sectiontitle_mainv3"><!-- #BeginEditable "page title tab" --> 
                  FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS<!-- #EndEditable --></span></center> 
                  <!-- InstanceBeginEditable name="main page content region" --> 
                  <p></p>
                  <ul>
                    <li><a href="#0.4_1">What is the Automatic Identification 
                      System (AIS)?</a></li>
                    <li> <a href="#0.4_2">What types of information is available 
                      with the AIS and what are the advantages of installing it?</a> 
                    </li>
                    <li> <a href="#0.4_9">How will the Automatic Identification 
                      System help to increase security?</a> </li>
                    <li> <a href="#0.4_7">How much will the AIS cost? </a></li>
                    <li><a href="#0.4_3">What is the AIS Rule? </a></li>
                    <li> <a href="#0.4_13">When do AIS regulations become effective?</a></li>
                    <li> <a href="#0.4_4">Who is affected by the AIS Rule? </a></li>
                    <li> <a href="#0.4_5">When must the AIS be installed on vessels?</a> 
                    </li>
                    <li> <a href="#0.4_14">When must AIS be in operation?</a></li>
                    <li> <a href="#0.4_11">Does the installation of the Automatic 
                      Identification System require additional equipment in order 
                      for the AIS to operate properly?</a></li>
                    <li> <a href="#0.4_12">Will it be necessary to have electronic 
                      navigational charts for use with the Automatic Identification 
                      System?</a></li>
                    <li> <a href="#0.4_6">If a fishing vessel has a Vessel Monitoring 
                      System (VMS), is that an acceptable substitute for the AIS?</a> 
                    </li>
                    <li> <a href="#0.4_10">Are there alternatives to the Automatic 
                      Identification System rule for small businesses? </a></li>
                    <li> <a href="#0.4_8">Is the Coast Guard considering requiring 
                      the Automatic Identification System for domestic voyages 
                      outside of VTS areas?</a></li>
                    <li><a href="#AISvalid">Why have some AIS units stopped broadcasting 
                      valid position reports?</a></li>
					   <li><a href="#AIS_static">Why am I unable to see an AIS vessels' name or other static information (dimensions, call sign, etc.)?</a></li>
					   <li><a href="#AIS_MMSI">Why do I sometimes see more than one vessel with the same MMSI or vessel name (i.e. NAUT)?</a></li>
                  </ul>
                  <p><strong><a name="0.4_1"></a>What is the Automatic Identification 
                    System (AIS)? </strong>Automatic Identification Systems (AIS) 
                    technology relies upon global navigational positioning systems, 
                    shipboard sensors, and digital VHF radio communication equipment 
                    operating according to standardized digital communication 
                    protocols that permit the voiceless exchange of navigation 
                    information between vessels and shore-side vessel traffic 
                    centers. The information is continually updated in near real-time 
                    and received by all AIS-equipped ships and shore stations 
                    in its vicinity. </p>
                  <p><strong><a name="0.4_2"></a>What types of information is 
                    made available by the Automatic Identification System and 
                    what are the advantages of installing the AIS? <br>
                    </strong>The AIS provides mariners with accurate navigation 
                    information, such as: </p>
                  <ul>
                    <li> Static Information梀essel call sign, name, IMO identification 
                      number, dimensions, type; <br>
                    </li>
                    <li>Voyage-Related Information桪raft, cargo type, destination, 
                      and estimated time of arrival; and<br>
                    </li>
                    <li> Dynamic Information桾ime in universal time, coordinated, 
                      latitude/longitude position, course over ground, speed over 
                      ground, heading, rate of turn, navigational status. </li>
                  </ul>
                  <p>In addition, shore stations will be able to relay pertinent 
                    navigational data from other sources, such as the National 
                    Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration抯 <a href="http://140.90.121.76/d_ports.html">Physical 
                    Oceanographic Real Time System</a> (PORTS) and<a href="http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/mwv/vts/vts_home.htm"> 
                    U.S. Coast Guard Vessel Traffic Centers</a>. The advantage 
                    of an automatic and continuous exchange of information is 
                    that all can access it and since it is digital data, software 
                    can be modified to the mariner抯 requirements by the manufacturer 
                    thus reducing the need for voice radio exchanges. <br>
                    In addition, the AIS enhances the mariner抯 situational awareness, 
                    permits more effective and reliable passing arrangements, 
                    and provides the Coast Guard with a comprehensive and informative 
                    traffic image and maritime domain awareness not possible with 
                    radar or video surveillance alone. </p>
                  <p><strong><a name="0.4_9"></a>How will the Automatic Identification 
                    System help to increase security?</strong> The Coast Guard 
                    believes that the AIS will improve security by increasing 
                    the Coast Guard抯 awareness of vessels in the maritime domain, 
                    especially vessels approaching U.S. ports. The AIS corroborates 
                    and provides identification and position of vessels not always 
                    possible through voice radio communication or radar alone. 
                  </p>
                  <p><strong><a name="0.4_7"></a>How much will the Automatic Identification 
                    System cost?</strong> An approved AIS can range in price between 
                    $1500 and $5000, not including installation cost which will 
                    vary considerably depending on the level of integration of 
                    the AIS with other shipboard systems (e.g. radar, speed log, 
                    rate of turn indicator, navigation positioning system, ECDIS, 
                    etc.) </p>
                  <p> <strong><a name="0.4_3"></a>What is the Automatic Identification 
                    System (AIS) Rule?</strong> The U.S. Coast Guard has developed 
                    rules applicable to both U.S. and foreign-flag vessels that 
                    require owners and operators of most commercial vessels to 
                    install and use the AIS. The AIS rule is part of our domestic 
                    and international effort to increase the security and safety 
                    of maritime transportation. See <a href="http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/">33 
                    CFR</a> parts 26, 161, 164, and 165. </p>
                  <p><strong><a name="0.4_13"></a>When do AIS regulations become 
                    effective?</strong> AIS Regulations became effective November 
                    21, 2003. All vessels required to have an AIS as denoted in 
                    <a href="http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/enav/ais/AIS_carriage_reqmts.htm">33 CFR