Hey Selene Friends:
I recently published an article in PassageMaker about AIS networks. More and more electronics vendors are integrating AIS data from the internet into their systems--whether on-board MFDs, or our soon-to-be-released "Selene Map".
In my experience, people are often puzzled by the out-dated or inaccurate position information they receive from these sources, so my purpose in writing this article was to make people aware of the various AIS networks, how they work, and the limitations of the data they provide.
I am attaching a PDF of the article with permission from the editor of PassageMaker. (It appears on page 40 of this month's issue.)
In all honesty, I have an ulterior motive in sharing this. :-)
Many of you have heard me extol the virtues of operating as a "roving AIS station" for the AIS networks, particularly the network we're using for our Selene Map: AIS Hub. This article might help clarify how these networks work and why there's value in becoming a roving AIS station for one or more networks.
We'll also put documents in the website's Documents section that provide more details on implementing a roving AIS station (also sometimes referred to as "AIS Forwarding") on your boat. There are several ways to do it.
I hope this is helpful.
Mark Tilden
Selene 60 "Koinonia"