The Cornerstone of National Security?

摘要

The International Maritime Organization has mandated carriage requirements for VHFrnAutomatic Identification System (AIS) on vessels over 300 tons by 2007 (IMO SOLAS: 1974rnand IMO Resolution MSC.99(73)). The AIS will transmit a vessel’s position and voyage datarnto other AIS-equipped vessels and shore-based authorities. It was envisioned that AIS datarncould enhance the safety of navigation by allowing vessels to quickly identify each other andrnuse Digital Select Calling (DSC) to arrange maneuvers. We will discuss the history and therndevelopment of AIS, the technical issues surrounding its use by the marine r as a navigationrntool and the pros and cons of the proposal by the US Coast Guard (USCG) to use AIS as arnmeans of surveillance for Maritime Domain Awareness.