Clearing the Air on AIS in Mexico
Recently there has been a lot of misinformation about AIS systems, regarding what they cost, what they do, and whether they will be required in Mexico this winter.
First of all, there are two types of AIS systems. First, there are receiver-only units, which have been advertsied in Latitude for under $400. Second, there are receive-and-transmit units. You can buy the Raymarine receive-and-transmit units from West Marine for about $1,000. They don’t cost $4,000 — unless you own a big ship.
A couple of years ago, there was an official in Mexico who wanted AIS transmit-and-receive units on all recreational boats in Mexico because ‘that’s what is required in the United States and Canada’. As all of you know, AIS units are not required on recreational boats in the U.S. and Canada. Anyway, that proposal never came to pass.
Despite the replacement of several officials, the AIS requirement is apparently once again being batted about by some Mexican officials. Before anyone freaks out, we don’t think a law is going to be passed requiring them — at least not anytime soon. One of the big reasons is that such units are not available in Mexico, so how would the thousands of recreational boats in Mexico be required to have something they can’t buy?
In addition, we think the Mexican officials will soon come to their senses about the facts: 1) AIS units are not required in the U.S., and 2) AIS units won’t do what some Mexican officials apparently think they will — such as help in their battle against drug smuggling.
One cruiser who wrote in supporting the requirement said she would do so because it would help prevent drug smuggling. This is ridiculous, as smugglers would simply turn the units off like they would turn off their running lights and VHF radios. When you’re smuggling millions of dollars of drugs, getting busted for not having an AIS on is not a consideration.
Others are suggesting that Mexican officials be placated by requiring that all boats have EPIRBs instead of AIS units. The only way this makes sense is as throwing a bone to Mexican officials, because AIS and EPIRB functions are completely different, and only overlap in the smallest of ways.
Our recommendation is that everyone relax until Tere Grossman, President of the Mexican Marina Owner’s Assocation, advises mariners how and when to respond. For example, it is never productive for gringos to harshly criticize Mexican officials.
Our second reccomendation is that owners of cruising boats seriously consider buying at least the receiver AIS unit. For one thing, they are a great way to keep from getting run down by ships. All you do is set a distance guard, and if a ship enters that zone, an alarm goes off. You have that feature on your radar? Great, but not that great, as radar guards don’t work when it’s raining. Actually, they work too well, going off all the time.
A second reason to have a receiver is that, by all reports, they are amusing as all get out. You get to identify all commercial traffic in your area, where they are going, how to contact them, if they are on course to run you down, and so forth. As you’ll read in the current Latitude, cruisers in the Canal love to get the poop on the ships going through the Canal.
For most cruisers, there aren’t as many good reasons to buy a transmit-also AIS, but there is one. If you or your watch has fallen asleep and a ship is approaching, he’ll know you’re there, even if he can’t see you on radar, and probably give five blasts before running you over.
Bottom line? Everyone should just chill for right now, and in the meantime, look into whether or not buying either type of AIS unit is the right thing for you — even if not required.
If you’ve been using AIS, we’d love to get your review.