AIS Receiver Versus AIS Transponder

[miboatnutz]

Just curious as to how many out there are using AIS receivers versus the more expensive option of a transponder.

I can buy an NMEA 2000 AIS receiver to plug into my system for a couple hundred bucks but a transponder is a little more pricey.

Also wondering if anyone who uses a transponder has the ability to shut it off if/when desired.

 

[Westfield 11]

I have a Vesper xponder and I shut it off when I am in a slip or tied to a dock using the Vesper app on my phone.

 

[Fanfare]

The Icom M506 VHF radio I bought about two years ago incorporates an AIS receiver. While this could be useful I find that the screen is small and the procedure cumbersome switching from one scale to another and having to cycle through all to return. Since I am a 90% fair weather sailor it seems that if I can see any other vessels then I don't need to manipulate the AIS screen to call them. Even at night I find the radar screen to be more intuitive in avoidance. As my old VHF went inop I figured this would be a nice feature to have--which it is, but not as useful as I hoped.

 

[Pascal]

AIS can be useful depending on where you are and how you use the boat. Defender has NMEA 2000 Class B transponder from digital yacht for as low as $500. I don’t think it s worth bothering with a receiver only

One thing is sure is that you are more visible with AIS and considering good ole fashioned watch keeping is going the way of common sense and courtesy... it is becoming a good safety device when operating in busy waters.

An increasing number of boats have AIS even sailboats...

 

[riverrandy]

Get the transponder. Commercial folks like tug boats truly appreciate knowing who and where you are. I notice that with a transponder, the professional captains are much more likely to communicate with you. Had a situation in the ICW (Texas) with a bridge, and a BIG tug pushing a GIANT barge called us by name and said he was coming around a bend and would we mind holding up so he could get through the opening with out stopping his vessel. made for quick efficient communication and a smooth passage.

As soon as I can I am buying the Vesper system for my boat.

 

[kingsley_oasis]

I know the pilots on the St Johns river in Jacksonville appreciate you having AIS transponder, especially in poor visibility. They can call you directly by your vessels name, which makes for far less confusion, especially as they have your course and speed data, and tell you exactly where they want you in the channel. Also probably helps locate you if in trouble as its tied to your MMSI #

 

[Photolomy]

I have a receiver, in the VHF radio, and I have it connected to my chart plotter (via NEMA 1893) and it does work well. However, almost no recreational craft have transponders. I know this because if they did they would show up on the screen. Just saying. It doesn't replace radar. It is useful around commercial ports, and as others have noted, on a river with a lot of commercial traffic. But I will be putting future $ towards radar before a transponder. The ICW doesn't have much commercial traffic, if any, anymore. It isn't like the inland rivers when we brought the boat down here. It certainly doesn't hurt to have a transponder. But I would only invest in one after radar.

 

[captainwjm]

If you boat at all on inland waterways with commercial tow traffic, or are contemplating doing the Great Loop, a transponder is a vital piece of safety equipment.

 

[oscarvan]

Indeed it all depends on type of operation.

Sailing solo off-shore the AIS receiver with LOUD alarm saved my bacon more than once. I would have tossed the radar before giving up the AIS. At the time the transponder was not out yet, had it been I would have had one.

Next boat will be a powerboat and I'll be putting along in-shore or near-shore in relatively un-cluttered waters mostly during daylight. The priority will be a radar, AIS receiver and if I run out of things to spend money on a transponder.

That said, also as explained above, if I end up on the big rivers for extended periods of time the transponder is a must have.

 

[Cricket]

We do a lot of in the dark runs offshore for fishing so AIS is a great safety tool with the AIS targets showing up on both the radar as well as the plotter. Personally I don't think receive only AIS should be offered as it should be you have to give to be able to get. For me it's just important to be scene to others as it for us to know who's out there. One of my other beefs is AIS transponders that have not been configured with the boats info.

 

[Pascal]

I have a receiver, in the VHF radio, and I have it connected to my chart plotter (via NEMA 1893) and it does work well. However, almost no recreational craft have transponders. I know this because if they did they would show up on the screen. Just saying. It doesn't replace radar. It is useful around commercial ports, and as others have noted, on a river with a lot of commercial traffic. But I will be putting future $ towards radar before a transponder. The ICW doesn't have much commercial traffic, if any, anymore. It isn't like the inland rivers when we brought the boat down here. It certainly doesn't hurt to have a transponder. But I would only invest in one after radar.

Here is Marine Traffic shot.... lots of purple rec vessels, most at the dock being a week day and many more with their system shut down

 

[Photolomy]

It may be different in Miami, a lot of large craft, but I bet that is less than 1/10th of the boats, maybe even 1/20th. I am going by seeing a boat on the water and not seeing it on my chart plotter. What would you say is the percentage of that? I reckon 90% of the boats you see on the water are invisible as far as AIS goes.

Edit: More than 90%. More like 98%.

 

[Cricket]

A few years really bad weather rolled in quickly on a fleet of maybe 50 boats fishing really tight in the Washington Canyon, couldn't
see 100 feet in the heavy rain and even our Simrad 25KW the radar wasn't worth a crap, it was interesting to watch how many boats suddenly appeared on the screens when they turned on their AIS transponders.

 

[wpc691]

Getting ready to replace my ancient Furuno radar with a new 1815, and will be integrating an FA-50 AIS transponder.

 

[Pascal]

It may be different in Miami, a lot of large craft, but I bet that is less than 1/10th of the boats, maybe even 1/20th. I am going by seeing a boat on the water and not seeing it on my chart plotter. What would you say is the percentage of that? I reckon 90% of the boats you see on the water are invisible as far as AIS goes.

Edit: More than 90%. More like 98%.

You may be right about the percentage but AIS is growing even on smaller boats but the key is how the boats are used. People who just hang around locally rarely have AIS (I don’t, yet). We spend a lot of time in the Bahamas and it s getting close to 50% ratio, even amoung smaller sailboats

 

[racclarkson@gmail.com]

A few years really bad weather rolled in quickly on a fleet of maybe 50 boats fishing really tight in the Washington Canyon, couldn't
see 100 feet in the heavy rain and even our Simrad 25KW the radar wasn't worth a crap, it was interesting to watch how many boats suddenly appeared on the screens when they turned on their AIS transponders.

I don't doubt the AIS was really useful in your situation. My fear is that picture it painted may be as dangerous as it was helpful the next time. Until it's mandatory, AIS stands a chance of getting you into trouble--IMO. Then, the obvious problem becomes what size boats are required to have it. Even then, like running lights, you can become invisible when it suits you. I'll never forget nearly T-boning a darkened boat a few years back because he was drifting while knocking himself off a piece. Clearly, the caveat in every electronics manual about not depending on any single source is as true as ever. I don't have AIS. There is substantial ship, tow, oceangoing and inland cruise ship, tour and fishing traffic in and around Charleston and on the AICW. Everyone is very good about security calls. I've lost count of the small boats that pass astern of me at night, only visible after the fact.

Our biggest risk here are the coasties running around the harbor at flank speed hitting tour boats and bridges. That means I worry about spending too much time looking down and not up and out. The the CG boat that hit the well-lit bridge near me in '17 on a clear night wasn't lacking any of the latest electronic navigational aids. Even with two extra crew on watch, no one bothered looking out the window.

Regarding X-band radar and rain, I'll never never never ever forget heading out the ship channel at Charleston approaching a squall line. With nothing on the scope but rain, out pops a container ship on a reciprocal. Close enough for me change my.... uh...habits. Had AIS been invented then, it would have helped. Funny thing, the CG doesn't transmit AIS around here except on a hit or miss basis--and it still rains here.

So, I don't have any immediate plans to install AIS. Please do keep an eye out for me.

 

[Boatsb]

Building a system for a customer that needs to be able to turn AIS on and off easily.

I'm using a switch setup bbn to mute the transmission on a garmin system that's fully integrated into system. I like the vesperntoo but the support was less than stellar.

 

[Photolomy]

You may be right about the percentage but AIS is growing even on smaller boats but the key is how the boats are used. People who just hang around locally rarely have AIS (I don’t, yet). We spend a lot of time in the Bahamas and it s getting close to 50% ratio, even amoung smaller sailboats

I could definitely see a sailboat adding it for trips to and from the islands. A transponder would offer some piece of mind sailing across at night and asleep. In that light, I guess I am in the camp that transponders probably offer more of a safety boost than receivers. At least they alert the big ships of your presence.

My take on it, after this discussion, is that IF you are buying AIS for added safety, which still mostly means around commercial traffic, then you should go all in and get the transponder as well. Like a couple others have said.

Btw, does anyone get any sleep on these overnight passages? I haven't been able to relinquish the responsibility yet to my "crew", and pretty much end up awake the whole trip. I originally thought it would be easy, 2 on 4 off or whatever. Ha.

 

[Pascal]

We rarely run more than 20 to 24 hours in one shot, only when heading to Gtown Exumas from Miami. I usually take a 3 or 4 hour nap on the pull out bed in the skylounge while Naomi my GF stands watch. She s got years on the water and is licensed.

Few boats run at night in the Bahamas so traffic is light

 

[SKYCHENEY]

Look at this way, if many other captains and crews are basically only looking at their electronics and not looking out the window, you'd better get represented on their screen so they can see you. Common sense and basic navigation skills are getting less and less common everyday.