Division 3.1 Introduction

In maritime navigation, the IMO has introduced the carriage of automatic identification system (AIS): all seagoing vessels on international voyage falling under Chapter V of the SOLAS convention have to be equipped with AIS Class A mobile stations since the end of 2004.

Directive 2002/59/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council^f1 establishes a Community vessel traffic monitoring and information system for seagoing vessels carrying dangerous or polluting goods using AIS for Ship Reporting and Monitoring.

AIS is considered as a suitable solution for automatic identification and Vessel Tracking and Tracing in inland navigation. Especially the real time performance of AIS and the availability of worldwide standards and guidelines are beneficial for safety related applications.

To serve the specific requirements of inland navigation, AIS has to be further developed to the so-called Inland AIS technical specification while preserving full compatibility with maritime AIS and already existing standards and technical specifications in inland navigation.

Because Inland AIS is compatible with the maritime AIS it enables a direct data exchange between seagoing and inland vessels navigating in mixed traffic areas.

AIS is:

• a system introduced by the IMO to support maritime safety of navigation; mandatory carriage requirement for all vessels in accordance with Chapter V of SOLAS convention,

• operating in direct ship-to-ship mode as well as in a ship-to-shore, shore-to-ship mode,

• a safety system with high requirements regarding availability, continuity and reliability,

• a real time system thanks to the direct ship-to-ship data exchange,

• an autonomously operating system in a self-organised manner without master station. There is no need for a central controlling intelligence,

• based on international standards and procedures in accordance with Chapter V of SOLAS convention,

• a type approved system to enhance safety of navigation following a certification procedure,

• globally interoperable.

The purpose of this section is to define all necessary technical requirements, amendments and extensions to the existing AIS Class A mobile stations in order to create an Inland AIS mobile station for use in inland navigation.