AIS or Automatic Identification System is required on all international voyaging ships with gross tonnage (GT) of 300 or more and all passenger ships regardless of size.
This requirement may not be stringently enforced if the vessel in question is under tow as evidenced by the two towing operations we are currently following here. BUT, and it is a big but, it is a major concern that the inland tankers/barges/what have you that may be accompanying such tows, are not operating AIS transceivers/transponders. This is of grave concern to agencies and authorities who need this information should the vessel in question get into difficulties and a rescue operation has to be mounted. An example follows. This is a translated fragment from:
http://www.schuttevaer.nl/nieuws/zeevaart/nid16369-tanker-vestland-breekt-en-zinkt-op-weg-naar-nigeria.html
On September 5th 2011, the tanker Vestland, an inland tanker which was recently sold to a Nigerian, became detached from the Panamian tug Courbet during a storm, broke in two and sank. The French authorities found the events surrounding the transport irresponsible and are seeking redress from the insurer. The French were also very concerned about the Atlantic Trader (in the same convoy) making its own way because it was not equipped with AIS and could not be traced.
The United States are tightening their requirements for AIS on shipping this year and other countries may well follow suit.
If you want a real eye-opener on casualties at sea, take a look at this site:
http://www.cargolaw.com/presentations_casualties-11.php
Wednesday, October 23, 2013
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