The U.S. Coast Guard has expanded Automatic Identification System (AIS) requirements to include additional commercial vessels. The change, which applies to U.S.- and foreign-flagged vessels that are 300 gross tons or less, went into effect this month.
Most commercial vessels operating on U.S. waterways are required to have AIS, a navigation safety communications system designed to mitigate collisions.
AIS increases situational awareness across the U.S. Marine Transportation System, the vital economic arteries that enable the continuous flow of overseas trade, sustain 13 million jobs and facilitate $3.2 trillion in commerce.
Information on the new requirements and the vessels affected can be found in the Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Register Notice at https://federalregister.gov/a/2015-01331 and on the U.S. Coast Guard Navigation Center’s website at http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/.
Source: USCG
