US GOES AHEAD WITH CLASS B AIS

[proud_ionian]

source: MGN

THE US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has issued its Report and Order on on the introduction of Class B Automatic Identification Systems (AIS). Class B systems are for non-SOLAS vessels.

The FFC order authorizes Class B Automatic Identification Systems (AIS) for U.S. registered vessels, designates Channel 87B for exclusive AIS use throughout the US and determines that only US federal government entities may operate AIS base stations.

A press statement from the Radio Technical Commission for Maritime Services says: “The Report and Order will become effective 30 days after publication in the Federal Register - a process that can take days or weeks. However, under the Report and Order, the FCC granted requests for waivers that will allow certification of Class B AIS units immediately. The waiver requests were filed by ACR Electronics, Navico UK, Seven Star Electronics, and Software Radio Technology. These companies will be able to obtain certification of their units once they have shown that they comply with new labelling requirements added under the Report and Order. Other manufacturers who have completed U.S. Coast Guard review of their applications to IEC 62287-1 will need to file their own waiver requests to obtain certification in advance of the effective date of the rule.”

The FCC has recognised that AIS base stations operate as aids to navigation and compared them to lighthouses. It was concluded that base stations should be operated only by federal government entities, and therefore, there will be no FCC rules governing them. However it is clear from the Report and Order that privately operated receive-only stations will be allowed.