The reduced commercial traffic on Hecate Strait, the wild waters between Haida Gwaii and mainland British Columbia, was a relief. However, our five-person crew delivering a high-performance sailboat faced a challenge. We lacked radar and relied on a listen-only AIS receiver to track automatic identification system (AIS) targets on our chart plotter. As with all VHF radio-based communication, this system was restricted to line-of-sight range. To mitigate risks, we kept a rotating watch.
During one night shift off Vancouver Island’s remote west coast, I wished for extended AIS range. Fast forward a few years, and new developments now combine terrestrial and satellite AIS data. This advancement is particularly beneficial for those in the luxury private yacht charter industry, offering enhanced tracking for safety and situational awareness.
AIS operates on VHF-FM frequencies, and the data is displayed on networked chart plotters or multifunction displays. AIS-VHF provides near real-time GPS-based position info but is range-limited.
Government agencies and private companies also gather AIS data and make it available to third parties. While internet-based AIS isn’t new, PredictWind and savvy navvy now offer this data through apps. PredictWind’s DataHub can download the AIS data from the internet, convert it into NMEA sentences, and share it across networked devices. For luxury private yacht charters, this means improved navigation safety, especially in remote or busy areas.
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New Tools for Luxury Yacht Charters
Internet AIS differs from AIS-VHF. It’s aggregated, making it older and less reliable, but still useful for big-picture awareness.
Internet AIS data comes in two types: terrestrial and satellite-based. Terrestrial AIS receivers are placed onshore and gather AIS-VHF data from passing vessels. These receivers, often operated by ports or government agencies, extend beyond typical ship-to-ship ranges due to their tall antennas. Once collected, the data is uploaded to servers for third-party use.
Satellite-based AIS, initially doubted, proved effective in 2009 when low-Earth-orbit satellites detected some AIS signals. Although Class A transmissions dominate due to bandwidth sharing, both government and private entities now deploy satellites to capture AIS data and relay it to ground stations for online access. This technology allows luxury yacht charter operators to ensure better safety even in distant cruising destinations.
Terrestrial AIS data is usually free, but satellite data often comes with a fee. For instance, MarineTraffic provides free terrestrial data and charges for satellite AIS access. Likewise, apps like Pocket Mariner offer terrestrial AIS to mobile devices. More recently, PredictWind and savvy navvy introduced internet AIS as a paid service. PredictWind offers both terrestrial and satellite AIS, while savvy navvy focuses on terrestrial data overlaid on its chart plotter.
Although useful, internet AIS data from these apps cannot be exported. PredictWind’s DataHub, however, changes that. It collects AIS data from PredictWind’s servers, converts it into NMEA sentences, and broadcasts it via Wi-Fi to networked devices. This allows it to be displayed alongside AIS-VHF data on the vessel’s chart plotter.
Additionally, DataHubs can function as terrestrial AIS stations. They convert networked AIS-VHF data into internet AIS and upload it for free access online. Users can select a range from 5 to 300 nautical miles, and the system automatically adjusts target scaling based on zoom levels. For those managing luxury private yacht charters, this provides real-time awareness and enhances voyage safety.
Although DataHub can’t differentiate internet AIS from AIS-VHF targets on the display, it provides subtle clues. For instance, internet-derived targets appear with altered call signs marked as “DataHub.”
The Q Experience offers another option with its Cloud AIS service. It integrates Pocket Mariner’s terrestrial data into a built-in SIM card for displaying on chart plotters.
However, latency remains a concern with internet AIS. While AIS-VHF data is nearly real-time, internet AIS can be delayed by 10 to 30 minutes or more. This means displayed targets could have moved significantly. Some software adjusts for this by using dead reckoning, but users must check time stamps and cross-reference with radar.
AIS-VHF remains more reliable than internet AIS, and satellite data has its own limitations. Jorge Arroyo, a U.S. Coast Guard program analyst, warns that satellite AIS may not capture all transmissions, especially in congested areas. He suggests users remain cautious, as some data may be incomplete, though algorithms may fill in the gaps.
Ultimately, internet AIS will not replace AIS-VHF or radar. But for those with internet access and a disciplined watch, it provides a broader situational perspective at a low cost. This is especially valuable for luxury yacht charter operators who need to ensure both a safe and enjoyable voyage for their clients.
