The study of simple navigation system for small craft using Class B AIS

The AIS (Universal Ship-borne Automatic Identification System) is required to install in international ships with 300GT or above and domestic ships with 500GT or above. Nowadays, many ships are transmitting the AIS information. The received AIS information from other ships, is displayed on navigation equipment such as ECDIS (Electronic Chart Display and Information System). This information is used for safe navigation. The AIS transponder can be installed any ships other than AIS mandatory ships. Simplified AIS called as class B AIS, which is designed for small scale vessels is inexpensive than normal class A AIS. Class B AIS became more popular, because it can be equipped into small craft such as pleasure boat, yacht, motorboat, etc., and small size domestic vessels. In this paper, the design of the navigation system in a small boat equipped with Class B AIS is described. We propose the display method of AIS information on the navigation screen, considering the differences in data specification of Class A and Class B AIS. We hope that the navigation system for small vessels will become popular and contribute to the safe voyage of small crafts equipped with class B AIS.