Automated Identification System

 

Dragonfly is now equipped with a Garmin Automated Identification System (AIS) transponder, fully integrated into her GPS chartplotter.  AIS is a global network that identifies vessels on the water equipped with the proper transponder.  They are required for commercial vessels, but more and more recreational vessels such as mine are also installing them.

The photo above is of my Garmin chartplotter screen.  Each of those green triangles represents a vessel transmitting an AIS signal within a mile or so.  Presently, they are all moored a nearby marina.  (Their skipper could turn the thing off if he/she so chose.)  If I touch on a green triangle on my screen, a window pops up with additional information about the vessel, such as its name, speed, and heading.  Pretty cool! 

Here's a shot of the AIS unit itself, mounted on the cockpit coaming alongside the helm.  (Yes, it is mounted sideways so that water will not pool on the connectors.)

This device will be extremely useful when we traverse the Intracoastal Waterway, as it allows me to contact any commercial vessel, BY NAME, using voice communication on the VHF radio.  Or vice versa.

This beast was a monster to install.  All sorts of wires had to be strung all over Dragonfly's bowels, and numerous holes drilled.  I've got at least a full man-week of labor invested in the darn thing - not to mention the sizable cost of the unit and all the necessary accessories.

 Recreational vessels such as mine could opt to install just an AIS receiver, which would allow her skipper to see other vessels but not the other way around.  It's a simpler and less expensive option - but I wanted the whole enchilada.

 In other news, yesterday I AGAIN tried to plan another day sail.  The winds had shifted to the southeast and the lunar tides were favorable.  The water rose, but stopped a few inches short of my minimum-level mark on the post.  I HATE getting stuck in the mud and having to call for a tow, so we had to abort the mission.

Here's a photo of Joan pointing to my mark on the post, taken a few days ago after the wind had been screaming from the north.  The dock is SUPPOSED to be up to that mark.  I think we broke a record that day.  The marina's floating docks were actually sitting on the bottom!