Clasification Society Rulefinder 2016 - Version 9.25
Statutory Documents - IMO Publications and Documents - Resolutions - Assembly - IMO Resolution A.917(22) – Guidelines for the Onboard Operational Use of Shipborne Automatic Identification Systems (AIS) – (Adopted on 29 November 2001) - Annex - Guidelines for the Onboard Operational use of Shipborne Automatic Identification Systems (AIS) - AIS Information Sent by Ships - Short safety-related messages

Short safety-related messages

  14. Short safety-related messages are fixed or free format text messages addressed either to a specified destination (MMSI) or all ships in the area. Their content should be relevant to the safety of navigation, e.g. an iceberg sighted or a buoy not on station. Messages should be kept as short as possible. The system allows up to 158 characters per message but the shorter the message the more easily it will find free space for transmission. At present these messages are not further regulated, to keep all possibilities open.

  15. Operator acknowledgement may be requested by a text message.

  16. Short safety-related messages are only an additional means of broadcasting maritime safety information. Whilst their importance should not be underestimated, use of such messages does not remove any of the requirements of the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS).

  17. The operator should ensure that he displays and considers incoming safety-related messages and should send safety-related messages as required.

  18. According to SOLAS regulation V/31 (Danger messages)

  • "The master of every ship which meets with dangerous ice, a dangerous derelict, or any other direct danger to navigation, or ...is bound to communicate the information by all the means at his disposal to ships at his vicinity, and also to the competent authorities...".

  19. Normally this is done via VHF voice communication, but "by all the means" now implies the additional use of the AIS short messages application, which has the advantage of reducing difficulties in understanding, especially when noting down the correct position.

Parent topic: AIS Information Sent by Ships
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