Real-time ship traffic program. Naval vessel traffic map online. Protection of personal information
Real-time ship traffic map. AIS
AIS (Automatic Identification System) is a system in shipping that serves to identify ships, their dimensions, course and other data using VHF radio waves.
Recently, there has been a tendency to interpret AIS as Automatic Information system, (English AIS Automatic Information System), which is associated with the expansion of the system’s functionality compared to the ordinary task of identifying vessels.
In accordance with the Convention, SOLAS 74/88 is mandatory for ships of over 300 gross tonnage engaged on international voyages, ships of 500 gross tonnage or more not engaged on international voyages, and all passenger ships. Vessels and yachts with a smaller displacement can be equipped with a class B device. Data transmission is carried out on international communication channels AIS 1 and AIS 2 in the SOTDMA protocol (Self Organizing Time Division Multiple Access). Frequency modulation with GMSK keying is used.
Purpose of AIS
AIS is designed to increase the level of navigation safety, efficiency of navigation and operation of the vessel traffic control center (VTCS), environmental protection, ensuring the following functions:
as a means of preventing collisions in ship-to-ship mode;
as a means of obtaining information about the vessel and cargo by competent coastal services;
as a VTS tool in ship-to-shore mode for controlling vessel traffic;
as a means of monitoring and tracking ships, as well as in search and rescue (SAR) operations.
AIS components
The AIS system includes the following components:
VHF transmitter,
one or two VHF receivers,
global satellite navigation receiver (for example, GPS, GLONASS), for ships flying the Russian flag, the GLONASS module in the AIS device is strictly required, the main source of coordinates. GPS is auxiliary and can be taken from GPS receiver via NMEA protocol;
modulator/demodulator (converter of analogue data to digital and vice versa),
microprocessor based controller
equipment for input/output of information to control elements.
Operating principle of AIS
The operation of AIS is based on the reception and transmission of messages in the VHF range. The AIS transmitter operates at longer wavelengths than radars, which allows the exchange of information not only over direct distances, but also in areas with obstacles in the form of small objects, as well as in bad weather conditions. Although one radio channel is sufficient, some AIS systems transmit and receive on two radio channels in order to avoid interference problems and not disrupt the communication of other objects. AIS messages may contain:
identification information about the object,
information about the state of the object, received automatically from the object’s control elements (including from some electro-radio navigation devices),
information about geographic and time coordinates that AIS receives from the global navigation satellite system,
information entered manually by facility maintenance personnel (security-related).
Provision is made for the transfer of additional text information between AIS terminals (paging). Transmission of such information is possible both to all terminals within the range, and to one specific terminal.
In order to ensure the unification and standardization of AIS, the International Radio Regulations stipulate two channels for use for AIS purposes: AIS-1 (87V - 161.975 MHz) and AIS-2 (88V - 162.025 MHz), which should be used everywhere, with the exception of regions with special frequency regulation.
Transmission speed digital information 9600 bps is selected in the AIS channel.
The operation of each AIS station (mobile or base) is strictly synchronized to UTC time with an error of no more than 10 μs from the built-in GNSS receiver (in the Russian Federation, according to signals from the combined GNSS receiver GLONASS/GPS). To transmit information, continuously repeating frames lasting 1 minute are used, which are divided into 2250 slots (time intervals) each lasting 26.67 ms.
Text uses 6-bit ASCII codes.
Displaying information about the environment in modern AIS is possible in 2 modes - both textual in the form of a table with a list of nearby vessels and their data, and in the form of a simplified schematic map depicting the relative positions of vessels and distances to them (calculated automatically based on the data transmitted by them geographical coordinates.) AIS is included in the list of equipment provided uninterruptible power supply from batteries is mandatory.
We present to you a unique map with which you can find the location of any ship in the world's oceans, as well as determine the direction of its movement.
The technology behind the card relies on a network of satellites capable of receiving encrypted Automatic Identification System, or AIS, signals. This system developed specifically for civil navigation and is an encrypted signal transmitted by a ship into orbit. The signal contains basic information not only about the direction of movement of the vessel, but also key data about it - name, type, speed, cargo, destination port, etc. Information received by satellites is transmitted to the ground, where it is automatically processed.
The result of this processing was embodied in an interactive map of vessel movements, which can be seen below.
Interactive map of maritime traffic
Search for a ship by its name
A legend is attached to the map, thanks to which you can determine the type of ship being monitored. Similar data can be obtained by clicking on its icon on the map. You can monitor the movement of ships both in satellite mode and in the mode of overlaying a real image. In addition, if you know the name of the ship, you can find it on the map. To do this, you need to enter the name in the appropriate field on English language. If everything is done correctly, the map itself will be centered on the selected ship.
Video instructions for finding ships on the map
Map update
Almost all data shown on the map is updated in real time. It is worth remembering that the speed of movement of a ship on the open sea is relatively low, so if it seems that the ship is not moving, then perhaps you should just wait. However, this may not be the only reason for the ship’s “freezing” - the AIS satellite network still has “white spots” in the world’s oceans, into which ships periodically fall. In this case, you just need to wait until the ship can communicate with satellites again - its location will be updated.
Marine site Russia no October 15, 2016 Created: October 15, 2016 Updated: July 25, 2017 Views: 77110Based on data from AIS. All vessel positions, departure from the port and arrival at the destination port in real time. Attention! The positions of the vessels may sometimes not correspond to the real ones and may lag behind by an hour or more. All coordinates of vessel positions are presented for informational purposes only.
Search data from AIS cannot be used for routing. When searching, you will find accurate information about the movements of ships on the map using AIS data and can view their photographs. In order to find a ship, select a sector on the map, where the number of those located there is indicated. this moment ships.
We click with the mouse, for example, on the region of Europe and get the picture that you see below. If you zoom in on the area, you will see specific vessels. The map receives updates every few seconds.
When you hover your cursor over a ship, you can see its name; on the site you can get other information you are interested in for searching. To find the ship you are interested in, enter the name of the ship and, if possible, its location in the search bar and press the search key. The AIS map will show the vessel's position in real time.
What is AIS?
To reduce the risk of ship collisions, AIS - Automatic Identification System was developed in 2000. Its functionality turned out to be so successful that just two years later the International Maritime Organization demanded the mandatory installation of AIS terminals on all cargo ships with a displacement of more than 500 registered tons, on “trucks” over 300 tons on international voyages, and on all ships for passenger transport, regardless of tonnage
Unlike radars, which can detect the appearance of large floating objects near the ship and approximately estimate their current direction and speed of movement, AIS allows you to obtain much more detailed and accurate information about the navigation situation.
To better understand the possibilities new system, first let's figure out how it works.
The ship's AIS module is a digital VHF transceiver interfaced with ships' navigation systems. Depending on the speed of the vessel, every 2–10 seconds (every 3 minutes when stationary) it automatic mode transmits the following operational information: MMSI identification number, navigation status (at anchor, underway, etc.), current coordinates, true course and speed, angular rate of turn and precise time stamp.
In addition to dynamic data, static data is transmitted every 6 minutes: the IMO vessel identification number, its type, name, radio call sign, dimensions, type of positioning system (GPS, GLONASS, LORAN) and even the position of its antenna relative to the bow of the vessel. Route information is transmitted at the same frequency: destination with estimated time of arrival, draft, cargo category and number of people on board. In addition, in the event of a threat to the safety of the vessel, it is allowed to send text messages entered manually from it.
The received information can be displayed on the terminal in the form of a table with information about nearby vessels, as well as in the form of their symbols superimposed on navigation maps (for example, in a chartplotter) - of course, in this case it is much easier to assess the relative position and dynamics of movement.
In short, according to AIS messages, the captain can absolutely accurately assess the current navigation situation. By the way, radio traffic in the system is carried out in the range of 162 MHz, that is, at a much lower frequency compared to radar radiation. Longer radio waves are able to avoid obstacles such as large ships and low islands, and therefore the range of AIS is pleasantly impressive. Under favorable conditions, it can exceed 40 miles, but keep in mind that the height of the antenna here, as with other airborne transmitters, plays a decisive role.
For yachtsmen, at least those whose vessels do not appear in the Forbes magazine charts, the subtlety of using the system lies in the fact that only simplified version terminals, designated “Class B”, are allowed to be installed on ships with a displacement of less than 300 tons.
They feature a noticeably reduced transmitter power (2 W versus 12.5 W), which limits their transmission range to approximately five miles. Another nuisance is a simplified data transmission algorithm that allows you to send information only if there is free space on the air during the radio exchange of older brothers equipped with class A terminals. The trick here is that at any given time on any of the two AIS channels It is possible to transmit one single block of digital data, and class A devices are able to agree with each other in advance about the order in which they are issued.
However, you must agree: despite such discrimination, being in a rough sea at night, it is very pleasant to know that on a supertanker passing nearby, the watchman probably knows about the presence of your 45-foot yacht at his side.
There is another way to use AIS, and it involves installing a receiver that does not allow sending any data at all, but is capable of tracking the movements of all ships equipped with full-fledged terminals. By and large, you don't even need a separate device for this, since manufacturers like Icom and Standard Horizon have begun to equip high-end models of mounted VHF radios with this function.
Convenient, compact, not expensive, but there is one big “but” - it’s problematic to place even a text table on a small low-resolution screen, let alone build even the most primitive semblance of a map...
This is why AIS receivers have been developed that do not show graphic information, but able to convert data into packets of the standard NMEA protocol, understood by the vast majority of chartplotters. Plus, some of them can connect to computers via USB, or even transfer data via Wi-Fi to mobile gadgets running under Android control or iOS. Similar devices are produced, for example, by Weather Dock.
By the way, when installing AIS equipment, even an additional antenna is not absolutely necessary due to operation in the same frequency range with the on-board radio. However, keep in mind that splitters used to connect two antennas different devices, as a rule, the signal level is slightly reduced, and in case of problems with a single antenna, you will lose two security systems at once.
It would be naive to believe that such an advanced information exchange system was created solely to assist helmsmen in operational maneuvering. AIS also includes global monitoring of vessel movements for the benefit of a variety of shipping companies, traffic control centers, and government agencies that may require information about the location of certain vessels or cargo. For this reason, AIS equipment can be based not only on ships, but also on coastal stations, many of which are connected to a global network.
Well, in order to more effectively use the system to search and rescue sailors in emergency situations, emergency buoys are being produced that are capable of transmitting AIS information with high priority. There are also so-called virtual buoys - this is the only type of device in the system, whose real location may not coincide with the coordinates in their messages. As a rule, these are transmitters installed on the shore, warning passing ships of dangers such as poorly visible rocks or capes devoid of lighthouses jutting far out to sea.
It must be said that AIS receivers are even located on satellites. It is only on the surface of the Earth that the radius of propagation of its signal is limited by visibility to the horizon, but in space it can be received from hundreds of kilometers without any problems. Today, more than a dozen spacecraft are orbiting the planet, monitoring maritime traffic.
It’s especially nice that you can get to data on the global movement of ships without being the owner of a shipping company or a secret service agent. Information available at on a paid basis(for example, in full version Google Earth), however, in a somewhat truncated form it can be seen for free, for example, on the resource www.marinetraffic.com, whose interactive maps and user-friendly interface have been replicated on many other nautical websites.
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Which shows in real time the movement of all aircraft in the sky. But MarineTraffic is a similar program for ships, which can contain information on all ships at sea. And judging by customer reviews, it is the best in this area.
Let's see what this marine radar is capable of...
MarineTraffic is a real-time updated marine map showing cargo and transport vessels and private yachts.
The program is connected to the international automatic identification system, which collects and transmits information about sea vessels: type, affiliation, class, course, and so on.
In addition to basic information, the Marine Traffic program contains specifications ship: year of construction, carrying capacity, displacement and dimensions.
The application uses cartographic Google service Maps, overlaid with vessel information from AIS. As a result, on the screen of your iPhone you will see a map with symbols sea vessels of various classes and displacement (from small tugs to the largest container ships).
In addition to information about vessels, in MarineTraffic you can track the movement of both an individual vessel and several in a separate category “My Fleet” ( this function available after creation account). There is also an interactive search for nearby ships or ports.
I would especially like to note the work of the Marine Traffic application with additional reality (for an additional fee):
Point your iPhone camera at a visible vessel and MarineTraffic will display all publicly available information about it.
Every day, more than 120 thousand ships broadcast information about themselves through MarineTraffic AIS. Imagine that among so many you need to find one, it’s like looking for a needle in a haystack. To simplify the search, the developers have introduced the ability to enable or disable the display of vessels by class: passenger, cargo, tankers, high-speed or fishing vessels, yachts, and so on. Each type is indicated by a corresponding color.
Until Russian becomes an international language, which is unlikely to ever happen, programs like MarineTraffic will only be available in English. People who read English with a dictionary will find it difficult to understand the program interface and the information provided. This will not be difficult for people with specialized professions.
I am not a sailor and have absolutely no understanding of maritime terminology, but even I liked MarineTraffic for its completeness of information, interface, convenience and quality of execution. I wouldn’t pay 299 rubles for a specialized application, but I recommend it to all sailors.