PredictWind Extends AIS Range for Better Navigational Safety

Enhance Maritime Safety with PredictWind’s Over the Horizon AIS in the Caribbean

Introduction to PredictWind’s Over the Horizon AIS

Reaction time can spell the difference between disaster or happy days when on the water. PredictWind’s new Over the Horizon (OTH) AIS (automatic identification system) feature offers an extended AIS range, giving sailors significantly more time to react and navigate safely in potentially hazardous situations.

Extended AIS Range for Enhanced Safety

The OTH AIS feature extends the range of AIS from as low as 5 nautical miles (NM) to an impressive 300 NM. This extended range allows for early detection of potential dangers, providing ample time for sailors to make informed decisions and avoid collisions.

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Advantages for Caribbean Sailors

This feature is particularly advantageous for boaters navigating the Caribbean waters, where commercial traffic, including tankers, freighters, fishing vessels, and cruise ships, is commonplace between islands. The ability to monitor AIS targets over a greater distance helps sailors maintain situational awareness in the Caribbean’s busy and dynamic maritime environment.

Operational Insights and Watchkeeping

“Feedback we’ve received underscores the value of OHA in offering insights into the movements of cruise ships and the density of other cruising vessels in anchorages ahead,” says Jon Bilger, CEO at PredictWind. This feature is especially beneficial for maintaining vigilant watchkeeping during shorter passages, enabling skippers to adjust watch schedules and ensure crew readiness based on anticipated traffic patterns.

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Requirements and Availability

To utilize the OHA feature, sailors need a DataHub and a PredictWind forecast subscription. PredictWind offers worldwide shipping from four warehouses, with Caribbean orders of the DataHub shipped directly from the US. For more information, visit www.predictwind.com.

Carol Bareuther has written for ALL AT SEA since 2004.