Ever find yourself cruising through crowded harbors or across shipping lanes in the fog, when you see another vessel and uneasily wonder what it’s doing? Automatic Identification System, or AIS, can provide the answer. Is this collision-avoidance technology right for you? The answer is found in a new online course offered by the BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water and the United States Power Squadrons’, ‘AIS Electronics for Boaters – See and Be Seen on the Water’.
“Whether you are sailing amongst cruise ships in Port Miami or Port Everglades, or powering across the Gulf Stream to West End, Grand Bahama, be reassured that others can ‘see’ you and you can ‘see’ them by equipping your recreational boat with AIS,” says Andrew Sumberg, educational outreach committee chair of the Raleigh, North Carolina-headquartered United States Power Squadron. “AIS is the best way to determine well in advance how close your close encounter with another AIS equipped vessel will be regardless of visibility. Also, friends at home can know where you are by viewing your AIS data on their home computer or laptop.”
‘AIS Electronics for Boaters – See and Be Seen on the Water’ offers a blend of practical knowledge with technical knowledge. It takes 1.5 hours to complete and is a simple way to get up to speed on this important navigation technology that more recreational boaters are bringing aboard. Through December 31, 2017, All At Sea readers can get this course at the discounted price of $15 by entering the code: AllatSea at BoatUS.org/AIS
