Why AIS is important

The Automatic Identification System (AIS) was originally conceived as a means of inter-ship identification, so that one vessel, perhaps on a collision course with another could ascertain its identity and communicate positively, as it provided its name, course and speed. But it quickly was seen as a far more versatile tool, which would be enormously useful to Vessel Traffic Services, in port approaches or narrow channels, with an operator being able to positively identify an echo on his screen.
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Source: Sea News Turkey