Charts and 3D Chart Views

Automatic Identification System

The Automatic Identification System (AIS) enables you to identify and track other vessels.

About AIS

AIS alerts you to area traffic. When connected to an external AIS device, the chartplotter can show some AIS information about other vessels that are within range, that are equipped with a transponder, and that are actively transmitting AIS information. The information reported for each vessel includes the Maritime Mobile Service Identity (MMSI), the location, the GPS speed, the GPS heading, the time that has elapsed since the last position of the vessel was reported, the nearest approach, and the time to the nearest approach.

AIS target

Dangerous AIS target

Lost dangerous AIS target

Tracking AIS target

Closest point and time of approach to dangerous target

Lost

AIS target

AIS Targeting on the Navigation Chart

AIS Targeting Symbols

Symbol Description

AIS vessel. The vessel is reporting AIS information. The direction in which the triangle is pointing indicates the direction in which the AIS vessel is moving.

Target has been selected.

Target has been activated. The target appears larger on the chart. A green line attached to the target indicates the heading of the target. The MMSI, speed, and direction of the vessel appear beneath the target, if the details setting has been set to Show (page 17). If the AIS transmission from the vessel is lost, a message banner appears.

Target has been lost. A green X indicates that the AIS transmission from the vessel has been lost, and the chartplotter displays a message banner asking whether the vessel should continue to be tracked. If you discontinue vessel tracking, the lost target symbol disappears from the chart or the 3D chart view.

Dangerous target in range. The target flashes while an alarm sounds and a message banner appears. After the alarm has been acknowledged, a solid red triangle with a red line attached to it indicates the location and the heading of the target. If the safe-zone collision alarm has been set to Off, the target flashes, but the audible alarm does not sound and the alarm banner does not appear (page 18). If the AIS transmission from the vessel is lost, a message banner appears.

The location of this symbol indicates the closest point of approach to a dangerous target, and the numbers near the symbol indicate the time to the closest point of approach to that target.

Dangerous target has been lost. A red X indicates that the AIS transmission from the vessel has been lost, and the chartplotter displays a message banner asking whether the vessel should continue to be tracked. If you discontinue vessel tracking, the lost dangerous target symbol disappears from the chart or the 3D chart view.

GPSMAP® 6000/7000 Series Owner’s Manual