Re: Is AIS useful?
Bill, I use it all the time. Of course, I'm in one of the busiest shipping areas around. Also, there is a lot of traffic outside the lanes. You see, the ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles implemented a clean-air plan requiring ships to switch to a cleaner burning fuel within a certain distance from the ports (25 miles as I recall). So, the logical reaction is that the ships skip the shipping lanes until the last minute, so there is shipping all over the place (driving traffic control bonkers) . As to the point of needing it or not, you don't need it. Heck, I sailed for half my sailing life with a compass, paper chart and an AM radio. However, being able to see the ship traffic on a chart with course, speed and contact info definitely lowers the angst and makes for a faster sail through the shipping areas since you avoid unessential dodges and course changes. Just like radar, but more specific information, but no substitute.
Bill, I use it all the time. Of course, I'm in one of the busiest shipping areas around. Also, there is a lot of traffic outside the lanes. You see, the ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles implemented a clean-air plan requiring ships to switch to a cleaner burning fuel within a certain distance from the ports (25 miles as I recall). So, the logical reaction is that the ships skip the shipping lanes until the last minute, so there is shipping all over the place (driving traffic control bonkers) . As to the point of needing it or not, you don't need it. Heck, I sailed for half my sailing life with a compass, paper chart and an AM radio. However, being able to see the ship traffic on a chart with course, speed and contact info definitely lowers the angst and makes for a faster sail through the shipping areas since you avoid unessential dodges and course changes. Just like radar, but more specific information, but no substitute.
