WASHINGTON – Most commercial vessels traveling through U.S. navigable waterways are required to have an Automatic Identification System (AIS).
The U.S. Coast Guard Navigation Center (NAVCEN) recently created a voluntary service that enables mariners to verify compliance with AIS carriage requirements.
The Vessel Identification Verification Service (VIVS), which went live on April 3, is available at https://navcen.uscg.gov/vivs
“NAVCEN developed a web-based, self-help service, allowing ships agents, owners and operators to search their respective vessel or fleets to determine if they are in compliance with static AIS data mandates,” said Eugene Diotalevi, the chief of the U.S. Coast Guard Navigation Center’s Electronic Charting Branch.
This on-line search program includes the vessel name and call sign, vessel type, nine-digit Maritime Mobile Service Identity (MMSI) number, length and beam.
The Automatic Identification System is a navigation safety communications system that reduces the risk of collisions while enhancing mariner situational awareness.
The U.S. Coast Guard encourages all mariners to use AIS to gain access to the ever increasing amount of marine safety information available through AIS transmissions.
“This effort has the potential to significantly increase safety levels on U.S. navigable waterways with only a modest investment necessary to coordinate the wealth of information that is available,” said U.S. Coast Guard Lt. Cmdr. Marlon L. Heron from NAVCEN E-Tracking Branch.