MSC.1/Circ.1252
22 October 2007
GUIDELINES ON ANNUAL TESTING OF THE AUTOMATIC IDENTIFICATION
SYSTEM (AIS)
1 The Maritime
Safety Committee, at its eighty-third session (3 12 October 2007), approved the
Guidelines on annual testing of the Automatic Identification System (AIS)
developed by the Sub-Committee on Flag State Implementation, as set out in the
annex.
2 The purpose of an
annual testing is to determine that AIS is operational as defined in
appropriate performance standards not inferior to those adopted by the
Organization*
__________________________
* Refer to Recommendation
on performance standards for a universal shipborne automatic identification
system (AIS) (resolution MSC.74(69),
annex 4).
3 To assist in achieving
this aim, it is recommended that all AIS be subject to a standard method of
testing as detailed in the annexed Guidelines.
4 Member Governments
are invited to bring these Guidelines to the attention of shipping companies,
shipowners, ship operators, equipment manufacturers, recognized organizations,
shipmasters and all parties concerned.
ANNEX
GUIDELINES ON ANNUAL TESTING OF THE AUTOMATIC IDENTIFICATION
SYSTEM (AIS)
1 The annual testing
of the automatic identification system (AIS) should be carried out by a
qualified radio inspector authorized by the administration or a recognized
organization.
2 The annual testing
of the AIS installation should include:
.1 installation details
including antenna layout, initial configuration report, interconnection
diagrams, provision of the pilot plug and power supply arrangements;
.2 checking the correct
programming of the ships static information;
.3 the ability of the
AIS to receive ships dynamic information from the appropriate sensors;
.4 the ability to
correctly input the ships voyage related data;
.5 a performance test
of the equipment including radio frequency measurements; and
.6 an on-air test that
the unit is working correctly using for example an appropriate Vessel Traffic
Service (VTS) station or a suitable test equipment.
3 To accommodate
performance test to align with the appropriate survey under the Harmonized
System of Survey and Certification (HSSC), the annual testing may be carried
out:
.1 up to 3 months
before the due date of the passenger ship renewal survey or the cargo ship
safety equipment renewal survey; and
.2 3 months before or
after the due date of the cargo ship safety equipment periodical/annual survey
(the maximum period between subsequent test is governed by the time window
associated to the subsequent surveys, unless either certificate has been
extended as permitted by SOLAS regulation I/14, in which case a similar
extension may be granted by the Administration).
4 The annual testing
should be recorded in the form of the model test report given in the appendix.
If the language used is neither English, nor French, nor Spanish, the text
should include a translation into one of these languages. A copy of the test
report should be retained on board the ship.
APPENDIX
AUTOMATIC IDENTIFICATION SYSTEM (AIS) TEST REPORT
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Name
of ship/call sign: |
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MMSI
number: |
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Port
of registry: |
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IMO
Number: |
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Gross
tonnage: |
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Date
keel laid: |
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1.
Installation details |
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Item
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Status
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1.1
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AIS
transponder type: |
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1.2
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Type
approval certificate |
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1.3
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Initial
installation configuration report on board? |
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1.4
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Drawings
provided? (Antenna-, AIS-arrangement and block diagram) |
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1.5
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Main
source of electrical power, |
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1.6
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Emergency
source of electrical power, |
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1.7
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Capacity
to be verified if the AIS is connected to a battery |
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1.8
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Pilot
plug near pilots operating position? |
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1.9
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120
V AC provided near pilot plug? (Panama and St. Lawrence requirement) |
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2.
AIS programming Static information |
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2.1
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MMSI
number |
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2.2
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IMO
number |
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2.3
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Radio
call sign |
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2.4
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Name
of ship |
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2.5
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Type
of ship |
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2.6
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Ship
length and beam |
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2.7
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Location
of GPS antenna |
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3.
AIS programming Dynamic information |
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3.1
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Ships
position with accuracy and integrity status (Source: GNSS) |
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3.2
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Time
in UTC (Source: GNSS) |
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3.3
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Course
over ground (COG) (will fluctuate at dockside) (Source GNSS) |
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3.4
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Speed
over ground (SOG) (zero at dockside) (Source: GNSS) |
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3.5
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Heading
(Source: Gyro) |
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3.6
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Navigational
status |
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3.7
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Rate
of turn, where available (ROT) |
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3.8
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Angle
of heel, pitch and roll, where available |
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4.
AIS programming voyage related information |
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4.1
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Ships
draught |
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4.2
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Type
of cargo |
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4.3
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Destination
and ETA (at masters discretion) |
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4.4
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Route
plan (optional) |
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4.5
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Short
safety-related messages |
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5.
Performance test using measuring instrument |
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5.1
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Frequency
measurements AIS ch. 1 and 2, GMDSS ch. 70 |
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5.2
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Transmitting
output, AIS ch. 1 and 2, GMDSS ch. 70 |
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5.3
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Polling
information ch. 70 |
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5.4
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Read
data from AIS |
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5.5
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Send
data to AIS |
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5.6
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Check
AIS response to virtual vessels |
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