The interference and spoofing of AIS navigation data has become a common problem and been particular prevalent in and around the Strait of Hormuz since the start of the war between US/Israel and Iran.
The past couple of weeks have seen the rise what is best described as AIS “trolling” with signals appearing with fictious names such as the supposedly US-flagged Jersey Devil 404, Opium Cargo, and Dead Wallet Crew. The tracks of many these vessels are erratic and clearly false.
courtesy of Pole Star Global
From SeaNews by Nandika Chand
One should not rely only on AIS data displayed on the ECDIS to determine
the risk of collision.
Always use radar and other available aids to get a complete picture to make safer decisions.
Knowing where the vessels are is a critical need that is being met with the Automatic Identification System (AIS).
It provides visibility and voyage-related information, like the ship’s destination and draught.
In today’s modern shipping era, AIS has emerged as an essential tool for vessel tracking and identification.
It has become an indispensable tool and aid for maritime security and navigational safety.
AIS – according to AXSMarine, a maritime intelligence tracking platform - has evolved into a versatile data source that supports a wide range of operational and commercial decisions.
Fleet managers use AIS to monitor vessel positions and performance in real time.
Chartering teams track tonnage availability to assess supply and demand in specific regions.
Port authorities analyze inbound traffic to manage congestion and berth planning, and commodity traders use aggregated AIS flows to infer trade volumes and anticipate market shifts.
Moreover, insurers and compliance teams monitor behavior for risk assessment and sanctions screening.
AIS acts as the foundation layer that enables broader intelligence when combined with domain expertise and additional datasets.
AIS in maritime is a core layer of modern navigational safety infrastructure.
The system continuously transmits and receives position, identity, and movement data, and assists mariners in maintaining awareness under all weather and visibility conditions.
Indeed, AIS is a very useful aid.
Over-Reliance on AIS
But over-reliance on this tool endangers the vessel, the cargo, and the crew.
Decisions based solely on AIS without contextual validation may lead to incorrect conclusions.
Gaps and errors are inherent in the system.
Bruce Liu, Loss Prevention Executive at Gard, pointed out that for bridge teams, pilots, and VTS operators, where navigational safety is critical, the integration and display of AIS information on navigational displays, particularly radar, have made traffic information more readily accessible.
He said it has delivered significant safety benefits but has also increased the potential for over-reliance on AIS-derived information.
“In some cases, such over-reliance may contribute to incidents, particularly when it influences the assessment of navigational risks or the decisions taken on the bridge or in VTS services.
“I also observed that many accidents occurred when bridge teams relied primarily on AIS for collision avoidance, neglecting systematic visual and/or radar observations.”
Liu explained that AIS calculates collision risk using dynamic data from both the own vessel and the AIS target.
Radar plotting, by contrast, evaluates how a target moves relative to the own ship.
Collisions
Over-reliance on AIS leads to AIS-assisted collisions.
Liu said this is a recurring factor in marine casualties.
“It is crucial for mariners to recognize the limitations of AIS and to use it as a supplement, not a substitute, for fundamental navigational practices such as visual lookout and systematic radar observation or radar plotting.”
Moreover, jamming and spoofing in conflict regions – the Red Sea, the Strait of Hormuz, and Black Sea – can compromise AIS and safety equipment, potentially increasing risk in busy shipping lanes.
Liu highlighted a few incidents, including a bulk carrier’s collision with a fishing vessel in September 2020.
Investigation revealed that the bridge team on the bulk carrier primarily relied on AIS and ECDIS for lookout, while neglecting fundamental methods such as visual lookout and radar plotting.
No radar plotting was conducted for the fishing vessel involved in the collision, nor for its accompanying fishing vessels before the incident.
As for the fishing vessel, it failed to maintain the effective operation of its AIS equipment.
Its AIS signal was detected right before the collision, making early detection and tracking via the AIS system by other vessels and the VTS center impossible.
The investigation established that not every vessel has a working AIS, so it is important not to rely only on AIS for lookout.
Always use visual lookout and systematic radar observation in addition to AIS to ensure safe navigation.
In another similar incident (collision between a bulk carrier and two tankers) in July 2024 – the bulk carrier en route to Subic Bay, Philippines collided with a tanker at anchor carrying out STS operations with another tanker.
Damage was sustained by all three vessels.
Investigators found that no AIS feed was available from either tanker until about 1 min before the incident, when S2’s AIS signal first appeared on the bulk carrier’s radar and ECDIS displays.
The radar echoes of both tankers had been visible on the bulk carrier’s radar since 2250 LT.
But the OOW did not plot the targets on the radar and was primarily using the AIS data reflected on the ECDIS for determining risk of collision.
The expert stated that one should not rely only on AIS data displayed on the ECDIS to determine the risk of collision.
Always use radar and other available aids to get a complete picture to make safer decisions.
Human Dependence on Technology
Technology is meant to make things similar and complement the tasks carried out by humans, boost productivity, and augment human potential.
Liu pointed out that trust gradually shifts toward tools that provide fast, clear, and seemingly authoritative information.
AIS offers immediate identification and CPA/TCPA outputs, which can create a perception of reduced risk and reliability, particularly in busy or restricted waters.
And over time, this may unintentionally lead to a reduced emphasis on traditional cross‑checks, such as visual lookout and systematic radar observation.
Mariners should be aware of the limitations of gadgets and technology, especially AIS, which include refresh delays in data transmission, dependence on properly functioning sensors, and incomplete traffic coverage – not all vessels carry AIS, sensors may malfunction, and some vessels, such as navy ships.
Always use radar and other available aids to get a complete picture to make safer decisions.
Knowing where the vessels are is a critical need that is being met with the Automatic Identification System (AIS).
It provides visibility and voyage-related information, like the ship’s destination and draught.
In today’s modern shipping era, AIS has emerged as an essential tool for vessel tracking and identification.
It has become an indispensable tool and aid for maritime security and navigational safety.
AIS – according to AXSMarine, a maritime intelligence tracking platform - has evolved into a versatile data source that supports a wide range of operational and commercial decisions.
Fleet managers use AIS to monitor vessel positions and performance in real time.
Chartering teams track tonnage availability to assess supply and demand in specific regions.
Port authorities analyze inbound traffic to manage congestion and berth planning, and commodity traders use aggregated AIS flows to infer trade volumes and anticipate market shifts.
Moreover, insurers and compliance teams monitor behavior for risk assessment and sanctions screening.
AIS acts as the foundation layer that enables broader intelligence when combined with domain expertise and additional datasets.
AIS in maritime is a core layer of modern navigational safety infrastructure.
The system continuously transmits and receives position, identity, and movement data, and assists mariners in maintaining awareness under all weather and visibility conditions.
Indeed, AIS is a very useful aid.
Over-Reliance on AIS
But over-reliance on this tool endangers the vessel, the cargo, and the crew.
Decisions based solely on AIS without contextual validation may lead to incorrect conclusions.
Gaps and errors are inherent in the system.
Bruce Liu, Loss Prevention Executive at Gard, pointed out that for bridge teams, pilots, and VTS operators, where navigational safety is critical, the integration and display of AIS information on navigational displays, particularly radar, have made traffic information more readily accessible.
He said it has delivered significant safety benefits but has also increased the potential for over-reliance on AIS-derived information.
“In some cases, such over-reliance may contribute to incidents, particularly when it influences the assessment of navigational risks or the decisions taken on the bridge or in VTS services.
“I also observed that many accidents occurred when bridge teams relied primarily on AIS for collision avoidance, neglecting systematic visual and/or radar observations.”
Liu explained that AIS calculates collision risk using dynamic data from both the own vessel and the AIS target.
Radar plotting, by contrast, evaluates how a target moves relative to the own ship.
Collisions
Over-reliance on AIS leads to AIS-assisted collisions.
Liu said this is a recurring factor in marine casualties.
“It is crucial for mariners to recognize the limitations of AIS and to use it as a supplement, not a substitute, for fundamental navigational practices such as visual lookout and systematic radar observation or radar plotting.”
Moreover, jamming and spoofing in conflict regions – the Red Sea, the Strait of Hormuz, and Black Sea – can compromise AIS and safety equipment, potentially increasing risk in busy shipping lanes.
Liu highlighted a few incidents, including a bulk carrier’s collision with a fishing vessel in September 2020.
Investigation revealed that the bridge team on the bulk carrier primarily relied on AIS and ECDIS for lookout, while neglecting fundamental methods such as visual lookout and radar plotting.
No radar plotting was conducted for the fishing vessel involved in the collision, nor for its accompanying fishing vessels before the incident.
As for the fishing vessel, it failed to maintain the effective operation of its AIS equipment.
Its AIS signal was detected right before the collision, making early detection and tracking via the AIS system by other vessels and the VTS center impossible.
The investigation established that not every vessel has a working AIS, so it is important not to rely only on AIS for lookout.
Always use visual lookout and systematic radar observation in addition to AIS to ensure safe navigation.
In another similar incident (collision between a bulk carrier and two tankers) in July 2024 – the bulk carrier en route to Subic Bay, Philippines collided with a tanker at anchor carrying out STS operations with another tanker.
Damage was sustained by all three vessels.
Investigators found that no AIS feed was available from either tanker until about 1 min before the incident, when S2’s AIS signal first appeared on the bulk carrier’s radar and ECDIS displays.
The radar echoes of both tankers had been visible on the bulk carrier’s radar since 2250 LT.
But the OOW did not plot the targets on the radar and was primarily using the AIS data reflected on the ECDIS for determining risk of collision.
The expert stated that one should not rely only on AIS data displayed on the ECDIS to determine the risk of collision.
Always use radar and other available aids to get a complete picture to make safer decisions.
Human Dependence on Technology
Technology is meant to make things similar and complement the tasks carried out by humans, boost productivity, and augment human potential.
Liu pointed out that trust gradually shifts toward tools that provide fast, clear, and seemingly authoritative information.
AIS offers immediate identification and CPA/TCPA outputs, which can create a perception of reduced risk and reliability, particularly in busy or restricted waters.
And over time, this may unintentionally lead to a reduced emphasis on traditional cross‑checks, such as visual lookout and systematic radar observation.
Mariners should be aware of the limitations of gadgets and technology, especially AIS, which include refresh delays in data transmission, dependence on properly functioning sensors, and incomplete traffic coverage – not all vessels carry AIS, sensors may malfunction, and some vessels, such as navy ships.
Links :
- Gard : AIS-assisted collisions: The risks of over-reliance
- Safety4Sea : Gard warns AIS should support, not replace, traditional navigation practices
- Maritime Executive : Collision Avoidance: AIS Versus ARPA
- MarineLink : Electronic Navigation & Dispute Resolution: Coming of Age
- TechTimes : Hormuz Goes Dark: Ships Strip AIS Signals as Trump Claims Strait Guardianship
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