22Purpose of operation — Automatic Identification System (AIS)

22 Purpose of operation – Automatic Identification System (AIS)

A person must not operate a maritime ship station for Automatic Identification System (AIS) purposes otherwise than: (a) on one of the following frequencies: (i) 161.975 MHz (channel AIS 1); (ii) 162.025 MHz (channel AIS 2); (iii) 156.775 MHz (channel 75); (vi) 156.825 MHz (channel 76); and (b) at a transmitter output power not exceeding 12.5 W pY.

Note 1: The technical characteristics of VDES, including AIS and ASM, are described in Recommendation ITU-R M.2092 (Technical characteristics for a VHF data exchange system in the VHF maritime mobile band). Recommendation ITU-R M.2092 is available, free of charge, from the International Telecommunication Union’s website at www.itu.int.

Note 2: Channels 75 and 76 may also be used for the purpose of navigation-related communications in accordance with Appendix 18 of the Radio Regulations. The Radio Regulations are available, free of charge, from the International Telecommunication Union’s website at www.itu.int.