Should IMO should be worried about the implications of terrorists or criminals using AIS derived information to target vessels?
IMO has taken an action to cover this area of concern, i.e. that operation of AIS in certain sea areas would cause security concern because information broadcasted through AIS could be collected by pirates or terrorists. Because of this concern, the last Assembly in November 2003 adopted resolution A 956(23) Amendments to the Guidelines for the onboard operational use of shipborne automatic identification systems (AIS) resolution A.917(22) which allows ship masters to switch off the AIS in specific areas where threat of attack by pirates or terrorists are imminent. AIS is the broadcasting device and information will be made available for everyone without any discrimination. That information will be available for the coast safety agencies and authorities and could equally be available for ill-minded people. AIS itself is a tool used in an information collection system and we can not prevent people misusing that information. However, AIS is also useful for monitoring the situation over a
Related Questions
- Should IMO should be worried about the implications of terrorists or criminals using AIS derived information to target vessels?
- Are fishing vessels subject to AIS carriage, and, are onboard Vessel Monitoring Systems (VMS) an acceptable substitute for AIS?
- Is the Indian embassy a particular target of the terrorists?
