Types of AIS

AIS units can be carried on board vessels and aircraft to support maritime safety and search and rescue operations. There are many different types of AIS units and stations:

• AIS units are carried on board vessels
• AIS carried on board aircraft to support maritime safety
• AIS base stations are non-shipborne stations which can relay information from AtoN and vessels
• AIS AtoN which can be a physical aid to navigation or a virtual aid which broadcasts information
• AIS search and rescue transmitters (SART) which are self-contained radio devices used to locate a survival craft or vessel in distress by sending updated position reports
• AIS person overboard units which are designed to be carried by your crew and used in the event of a person overboard situation or other personal emergency.

AIS on board vessels can be classified as Class A and Class B.

AIS class A

AIS is included in the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) convention for: vessels are:

• vessels of 300 gross tonnage and upwards engaged on international voyages
• vessels of 500 gross tonnage and upwards not engaged on international voyages
• passenger ships irrespective of size.

The AIS referred to in the SOLAS convention is often termed ‘AIS Class A’.

AIS class B

AIS Class B is intended for use on non-SOLAS vessels. These can include domestic commercial vessels and pleasure craft.

AIS Class B units have less functionality than Class A units but they operate and communicate with AIS Class A units and other types of AIS units.

Receive only AIS units

Receive only AIS units will pick up transmissions but they won't transmit any information. Using this unit means you will see other vessels but you won't be seen. Receive only AIS units do not need an MMSI.

Specific information on AIS carriage requirements are available in Marine Order 27. Its application includes:

• regulated Australian vessels
• foreign vessels in an Australian port
• entering or leaving an Australian port
• in the internal waters of Australia
• in the territorial sea of Australia other than in the course of innocent passage.

Marine Order 63 highlights the obligations within Australian waters (which are defined in the order) for the Modernised Australian ship tracking and reporting system (MASTREP).

Additional information for domestic commercial vessels is available in the National Standards for Commercial Vessels.

Fishing vessels

Fishing vessels may be required to carry AIS, but any vessel may switch off its AIS if the master believes continual operation may compromise the safety or security of the vessel.

Vessel monitoring systems (VMS) use a different technology to AIS. Information on VMS is available from Australian Fisheries Management Authority.

On this page

• Our role in managing AIS
• About AIS units
• Why AIS use is controlled
• Who can apply
• How to apply
• Assessing applications
• Issuing licences

Our role in managing AIS

We are the current holder of an Australia wide Maritime Coast Licence for the AIS frequencies 161.975 MHz (AIS1) and 162.025 MHz (AIS2) in the VHF maritime mobile band. In effect, the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) have licensed us to operate a limited coast assigned system subject to the conditions laid down in the relevant Maritime Coast Licence Determinations.

We may, at our sole discretion, permit third parties to operate non-shipborne AIS in Australia. As the licence holder, we are bound by the conditions imposed upon it by the Radiocommunications Act 1992. Third parties must also comply with the relevant sections of this Act.

These guidelines support the effective use of of non-shipborne AIS in Australia. They aim to:

• ensure a consistent approach to the use of AIS in Australia
• ensure all AIS units using the same AIS frequencies work coherently
• provide stable and reliable use of the spectrum.

About non-shipborne AIS units

Non-shipborne AIS units are land-based or mounted on fixed structures to support vessel traffic management and navigation while shipborne AIS units are installed on vessels.

There are 2 types of non-shipborne AIS units.

Base station

The AIS base station is the most basic AIS-related entity of any AIS shore infrastructure. The AIS Base Station allows for the full control of the AIS VHF data link.

Aid to navigation (AtoN)

An AtoN is a device or system external to vessels that is designed and operated to enhance the safe and efficient navigation of vessels and/or vessel traffic.

An AIS AtoN is a digital aid to navigation broadcast by an authorised service provider using AIS Message 21 'Aids to navigation report' which can be portrayed on devices or systems. For example, Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS), radar or Integrated Navigation System (INS)).

Why AIS use is controlled

AIS can be fitted on fixed and floating structures to assist with positive identification of these structures by passing vessels. AIS may also be used to assist those operating vessel traffic services to monitor vessel traffic in their area of interest including potential and real entry into exclusion or restricted areas.

Given many AIS transmitters may be used in any one area, a level of control, integrity and protection of the AIS VDL (VHF data link) is required in accordance with IMO Resolution MSC.347(91).

We monitor the use of the AIS VDL and issue all:

• Australian MMSI numbers
• AIS licences
• fixed access time division multiple access (FATDMA) time slots to owners of non-shipborne AIS transmitters.

This ensures there is no interference from co-located services and provides a level of control to ensure integrity and protection of the AIS VDL.

Who can apply

IMO Resolution MSC.140(76) notes that administrations should take steps necessary to ensure the integrity of the radio channels used for AIS in their waters.

IMO Resolution MSC.74(69) Annex 3 states that AIS should serve as a means for littoral states to obtain information about ships and be used as a Vessel Traffic Service (VTS) tool.

Applications for non-shipborne AIS are expected to be limited to state or port authorities.

How to apply

To apply to operate non-shipborne AIS equipment in Australia, use AMSA form 234.

Apply now

Assessing applications

We will evaluate each application, to ensure that the purpose of installation aligns with current, internationally accepted aims and objectives for AIS ashore, including IMO, ITU, IALA and IEC guidance.

These guidelines have been developed in consultation with Australian Ports and Port authorities through the Australian AIS working group. They are intended to ensure every installation works correctly and provides reliable service.

Navigational need requirement

Applications must demonstrate a nautical requirement for AIS in support of navigation.

• AIS Aids to Navigation (AtoN) will be marked with appropriate Message 21 coding as contained in the most recent version of Recommendation ITU-R M.1371.
• AIS base station transmissions will be identified with appropriate maritime mobile service identity (MMSI), as defined in Article 19 of the Radio Regulations, and Recommendation ITU-R M.585.
• AIS units should only transmit if a valid and authorised MMSI is programmed.
• An AIS base station will be used to reserve the FATDMA slots used by AIS AtoN in the footprint of the AIS base station.
• Non-shipborne AIS will be certified to the latest edition of the relevant IEC testing standard:
  • IEC 62320-1 for AIS base stations
  • IEC 62320-2 for AIS AtoN.

Equipment requirements

Different technical requirements apply to non-shipborne AIS base stations and AtoNs.

All AIS AtoN and AIS base stations must be identified in accordance with the most recent edition of Recommendation ITU-R M.585.

AIS base stations

• Must be type 1
• Require FATDMA slot allocation

AIS AtoN

• May be Type 1, Type 2 or Type 3 as described in IEC 62320-2
• Must transmit the defining dimensions of the offshore structure in accordance with Message 21 (as outlined in the most recent edition of Recommendation ITU-R M.1371)
• Type 1 AtoNs:
  • Require FATDMA slot allocation
  • Must be within VHF radio range of an existing AIS base station
  • If not, a new base station must be established within the VHF radio range of the AIS AtoN to ensure the integrity of the FATDMA slot allocation, and monitoring of the AIS AtoN.
• Type 3 AtoNs:
  • Operate independently
  • Do not require FATDMA slot allocation.

Issuing licences

On receiving an application, we will liaise with the applicant and ACMA to licence the non-shipborne AIS unit.

We will provide the applicant with the:

• authorised MMSI
• authorised FATDMA slot allocations for all non-shipborne AIS, used on offshore structures and facilities.

Related content

AMSA guidelines for use of AIS on offshore structures

The United States Coast Guard has sounded the alarm over the potential for light-emitting diode (LED) lighting on vessels to compromise reception on VHF frequencies used for radiotelephone, Digital Selective Calling (DSC) and Automatic Identification System (AIS). 

The distance at which the LED lighting starts to have an impact and whether the issue is limited to certain makes of lighting or navigation equipment. The United States Coast Guard has asked the United States marine industry to provide more detail of known incidents.

Guidelines for installing AIS units have been developed by the International Maritime Organization. Refer to .

Programming an AIS unit depends on specific manufacturer requirements. Incorrect programming of an AIS unit may prevent the accurate display of information about that vessel.

AIS Class A units are user configurable and may need a password to change programmed information. Static data must be programmed correctly and includes ship name, maritime mobile service identity (MMSI) number, length, breadth, and so on.

AIS Class B units may not be user configurable. You may need to contact the manufacturer or retailer for instructions.

Read more about AIS Class A and B units.

MMSI number

All AIS units require a Maritime Mobile Service Identity (MMSI) number to operate. MMSIs are allocated according to international standards.

Find out how to get an MMSI in Australia.AIS units are not ‘registered’ in the same way as emergency position indicating radio beacons (EPIRBs) or emergency beacons.

There are two dedicated frequencies used for AIS:

• AIS 1 (channel 87B)
• AIS 2 (channel 88B). 

Each frequency is divided into 2250 time slots that are repeated every 60 seconds. The AIS units send packets of information which are transmitted in these time slots.

Learn more about how the AIS works by viewing our interactive AIS tutorial.

How displays can vary

Shipborne AIS units autonomously broadcast different AIS messages including:

• 'dynamic data' which includes latitude, longitude, position accuracy, time, course, speed, navigation status
• 'static data' which includes name, dimensions, type, draft, destination and estimated time of arrival.

Position reports are broadcasted frequently (between 2–10 seconds depending on the vessel’s speed, or every 3 minutes if at anchor), while static and voyage related reports are sent every 6 minutes.

It is common for an AIS user to receive numerous position reports from a vessel before the vessel’s name and type.

Displays on public websites

Some publicly available AIS websites are a crowd-based approach to AIS information. The International Maritime Organization (IMO) does not support the display of AIS on public websites. The AIS receivers used for this purpose are not always certified AIS base stations and may not provide accurate or valid data.

Under SOLAS and the relevant IMO guidelines, the master of any vessel has the discretion to turn off the AIS unit if its continual operation might compromise the vessel's safety or security.

Long range identification and tracking

Long range identification and tracking (LRIT) is not the same as AIS and does not replace AIS. AIS cannot be used for LRIT.

LRIT is an international system used to monitor the location of vessels travelling within 1000 nautical miles off the Australian coast. Vessels must willingly provide their location to the LRIT system and its use of satellites mean it can be used anywhere in the world. LRIT was adopted by the International Maritime Organization as an amendment to Chapter V of SOLAS and came into force on 1 January 2008. 

Find out if your vessel should be using LRIT systems PDF534.4 KB.

Policy

Policy for licensing non-shipborne AIS units

Guidelines

Guidelines for the use of non-shipborne AIS units.

Automatic identification systems on offshore structures.

We are the current holder of an Australia wide maritime coast licence for the automatic identification systems (AIS) frequencies 161.975 MHz (AIS1) and 162.025 MHz (AIS2) in the VHF maritime mobile band. The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has licensed us to operate a limited coast assigned system subject to the conditions laid down in the relevant maritime coast licence determinations.

We may use our discretion to permit third parties to operate non-shipborne AIS in Australia. As the licence holder, we are bound by the conditions imposed by the Radiocommunications Act 1992. Third parties must also comply with the relevant sections of this Act.

IMO Resolution MSC.140(76) notes that administrations should take steps necessary to ensure the integrity of the radio channels used for AIS in their waters. IMO Resolution MSC.74(69) Annex 3 states that AIS should serve as a means for littoral states to obtain information about ships and be used as a vessel traffic service (VTS) tool. Therefore, it is envisaged that applications for non-shipborne AIS would be limited to state or port authorities.

This document sets out our requirements for AIS deployed on offshore structures and facilities. These include fixed and floating oil and gas production platforms, floating storage facilities, offshore drilling units, large moorings and other potential offshore hazards to navigation.

These guidelines ensure a consistent approach to the use of AIS on offshore structures and facilities in Australia. We require particular information when processing applications to use AIS.

Scope

AIS installations on offshore structures and facilities in Australia.

Abbreviations

Definitions

Background

AIS can be used on offshore structures and facilities to assist with positive identification by transiting and service vessels. AIS may also be used to assist those operating offshore facilities to monitor vessel traffic in their vicinity including potential and real incursions into exclusion or restricted areas.

Given many AIS transmitters may be used in any one area, a level of control, integrity and protection of the AIS VDL is required in accordance with IMO Resolution MSC.347(91). We monitor the use of the AIS VDL and issue all Australian MMSI numbers, AIS licences and FATDMA time slots to owners of non-shipborne AIS transmitters to ensure there is no interference from co-located services, and provide a level of control to ensure integrity and protection of the AIS VDL.

We will evaluate each application to ensure that the purpose of installation aligns with current, internationally accepted aims and objectives for AIS ashore including IMO, ITU, IALA and IEC guidance.

These requirements have been developed in consultation with Australian ports via the Australian AIS working group, and the Oil and gas security forum (OGSF). They are intended to ensure every installation works correctly and provides reliable service.

General requirements

We will assess each application on its nautical requirement for AIS in support of navigation.

Not all facilities must be marked with AIS, however, where AIS is used to mark an offshore facility it must be marked as an AtoN.

Offshore facilities marked with AIS AtoN will use the appropriate Message 21 coding as contained in the most recent version of Recommendation ITU-R M.1371.

FPSOs and MODUs are considered fixed offshore facilities, however, as they are SOLAS vessels, they should change their AIS navigational status when they connect to a riser or the seabed to indicate moored or at anchor. This status will also apply when using dynamic positioning to conducting undersea operations.

AIS fitted on offshore facilities will be certified to the latest edition of the relevant IEC testing standard (IEC 62320-1 for AIS base stations; IEC 62320-2 for AIS AtoN). On receiving an application, we will liaise with the applicant and ACMA to licence AIS AtoN on offshore structures. We will provide the applicant with MMSI and FATDMA slot allocations for all non-shipborne AIS used on offshore structures and facilities.

To apply for non-shipborne AIS equipment, use AMSA form 234. Further information is available in the policy for the licensing of non-shipborne AIS units.

Equipment requirements

AtoN

The AIS AtoN may be an AIS AtoN Type 1 or Type 3, as described in IEC 62320-2. The defining dimensions of the offshore structure must be transmitted in accordance with Message 21 as outlined in the most recent version of recommendation ITU-R M.1371. 

For type 1, if the AIS AtoN is not within VHF radio range of an existing AIS base station then a new AIS base station should be established within the VHF radio range of the AIS AtoN to ensure the integrity of the FATDMA reservations, and monitoring of the AIS AtoN.

Type 3 will operate independently and does not require a FATDMA reservation.

Base station

All AIS AtoN and AIS base stations are to be identified in accordance with the most recent edition of recommendation ITU-R M.585.

Supporting documentation

• AMSA policy for the licensing of non-shipborne AIS units

AIS improves navigation safety and environmental protection by assisting in the effective navigation of ships. It can be used as an aid to navigation by providing location and additional information on buoys and lights.

Learn more. Take our AIS online tutorial.

Register for the AIS online tutorial at the AMSA learning centre.