What kind of information is AIS-transmitted?

A functioning AIS transponder keeps transmitting information even when the subject vessel is anchored. The information contained in each AIS-data packet (or message) can be divided into the following two main categories:

Dynamic Information

(such information is automatically transmitted every 2 to 10 seconds depending on the vessel's speed and course while underway and every 6 minutes while anchored from vessels equipped with Class A transponders)

Static & Voyage related Information

(such information is provided by the subject vessel's crew and is transmitted every 6 minutes regardless of the vessel's movement status)

  • International Maritime Organisation number (IMO) - note that this number remains the same upon transfer of the subject vessel's registration to another country (flag)
  • Call Sign - international radio call sign assigned to the vessel by her country of registry
  • Name - up to 20 characters
  • Type (or cargo type) - the AIS ID of the subject vessel's shiptype
  • Dimensions - approximated to the nearest metre (based on the position of the AIS Station on the vessel)
  • Location of the positioning system's antenna on board the vessel
  • Type of positioning system (GPS, DGPS, Loran-C)
  • Draught - 0.1 to 25.5 metres
  • Destination - up to 20 characters
  • ETA (estimated time of arrival) - UTC month/date hours:minutes

It is important to notice that the vessel's crew or the accountable vessel's officer should make sure that they provide the system with the correct information regarding all static and voyage-related fields. 

Note also that Class B transponders transmit a reduced set of data compared to Class A (IMO number, Draught, Destination, ETA, Rate of Turn, Navigational Status are not included). The reporting intervals from Class B transponders are also scarcer compared to those of Class A transponders (30 seconds minimum).