Are fishing vessels subject to AIS carriage, and, are onboard Vessel Monitoring Systems (VMS) an acceptable substitute for AIS?
Most fishing vessels are not currently subject to AIS carriage requirements, except for those on International voyage and of 300 gross tonnage (GT ITC) or greater (see 33 CFR 164.46(a)(2)). Note, the fishing vessel exception in 33 CFR 164.46(a)(1) and (a)(3)(i) only applies to fishing vessel’ as defined in 46 USC 2101, which means a vessel that “commercially engages in the catching, taking, or harvesting of fish or an activity that can reasonably be expected to result in the catching, taking, or harvesting of fish”; it does not extend to domestic ‘fish processing vessels’ or ‘fish tender vessels’ transiting a Vessel Traffic Service area.
Related Questions
- If a fishing vessel has a Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) that provides vessel identification and location data, is the VMS an acceptable substitute for the AIS?
- Is the USCG considering expanding AIS carriage to other vessels or outside of VTS areas?
- Which vessels are subject to payment of the Annual Vessel Inspection Fee?
