Nationwide Automatic Identification System (NAIS)In response to the Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002, the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) is developing a two-way maritime data communication system based on Automatic Identification System (AIS) technology, referred to as the Nationwide Automatic Identification System (NAIS). AIS is a maritime digital broadcast system that continually transmits and receives voiceless exchange of vessel data including: vessel identity, position, speed, course, destination and other data of critical interest for navigation safety and maritime security. Read more about AIS. The goal of NAIS is to enhance Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA), with particular focus on improving maritime security, marine and navigational safety, search and rescue, and environmental protection services. AIS data (e.g., vessel location, course and speed) collected by NAIS will be combined with other government intelligence and surveillance data to form a holistic, overarching view of maritime traffic within or near U.S. and territorial waters. Armed with this view of our Nation’s waters, operational decision makers will be better positioned to respond to safety and security risks, improving the safety of vessels and ports through collision avoidance and the safety of the Nation through detection, identification, and classification of vessels when they are still hundreds of miles offshore. |
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