Real time shipplotting from Townsville Australia

Does it work!

Data guarantee

There is no guarantee that the data on this site will be correct, every effort is made to ensure the information is up to date. However in case of technical problems it is unlikely that data will be updated and that old data may continue to be displayed. In saying this site should not be used for navigation and should be treated as a guide only.

How it works

AIS receiver

This site uses a NASA AIS receiver, it receives radio data from the ship via VHF channel 87 and/or 88 and processes the data into a NMEA sentence. This NMEA sentence is sent via a serial port to a computer running Shipplotter software.

Shipploter Software

Shipploter is user registered software from COAA. Shipplotter processes the NMEA data into an overlay that is displayed on the computer, the shipplotter software allows the user to manipulate the data to display targets (ships) on the screen, Shipplotter can display all ships or any combination of ships, ships underway, ships underway at certain speeds, ships at anchor.

Scripts & Google Maps

The last stage of the process relies on a Visual basic script that invokes a command at a set time into Shipplotter, this script processes ship data and converts it to an XML file This script also uploads the XML file to the web server. When the end user opens the AIS web page a API key from Google map collects the map overlay and displays it on the web site. Additional scripts with in the web page converts the XML data into viewable data on the Google map.

Sub Navigation

Search

Introduction to AIS

Automatic Identification System (AIS) is a system used by ships to identify and track vessels. AIS provides a means for ships to electronically exchange ship data including: identification, position, course, and speed, with other nearby ships and shore based stations. This radio information can be decoded and displayed on a screen or chart plotter. AIS is intended to assist the vessel's officers and allow maritime authorities to track and monitor vessel movements. It works by integrating a modified VHF transceiver system with an electronic navigation system inputting data like Global Positioning System receiver (GPS), and other navigational sensors on board ship gyrocompass, rate of turn indicator, etc.).

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) requires AIS to be fitted aboard international voyaging ships with gross tonnage (GT) of 300 or more tons, and all passenger ships regardless of size. It is estimated that more than 40,000 ships currently carry AIS class A equipment

precache

Ships underway within the Townsville area

Ships In port or at anchor within the Townsville area

Detailed instructions on how to use Shipplotter, Google Maps and Scripts used on this site are found Here

Contact

Chris Jones

South Townsville. Queensland. AUST. 4810

Phone : 07 47 404118
Email : Chris

AIS - Townsville