Written by Capt. Russell Holmes, NAVCEN commanding officer
During last year’s Coast Guard Navigation Center (NAVCEN) update, we talked about our plans to focus on improving the quality of the AIS information that commercial and recreational users are broadcasting.
I am pleased to announce that NAVCEN developed and is currently beta testing an Automatic Identification System (AIS) vessel data tool. This new self-help, web-based service will allow ship agents, owners and operators to determine if their vessel(s) are following the USCG AIS Encoding Guidance and broadcasting the correct static AIS data requirements outlined in 33 CFR 164.46.
Anyone who is interested in participating in the beta test should contact NAVCEN via email at TIS-DG-VIVS@uscg.mil. The test period runs from Feb. 13, 2017 to March 5, 2017.
This blog is not a replacement or substitute for the formal posting of regulations and updates or existing processes for receiving formal feedback of the same. Links provided on this blog will direct the reader to official source documents, such as the Federal Register, Homeport and the Code of Federal Regulations. These documents remain the official source for regulatory information published by the Coast Guard.