AIS and the USCG

[Orniphobe]

I'm working on grad school paper on Port Security. Does anyone know if USCG Stations and Sectors command centers have AIS yet? The last USCG "Group" I worked at as a reservist four years ago did not, and that was long after it was required on commercial vessels. Neither did the Stations and cutters assigned the the Group. I remember suggesting it to the Group Commander, but that was AIS back then (kinda like GMDSS originally) was an "M" thing, plus there was no funding.

I don't know about the new Sectors though. I can't imagine they don't by now. What about the smaller cutters and remote stations?

[cappy208]

all the big vessels have it. I am not sure about the RIBS and such. I am sure they do though.

The main sector bases do have it. I have been called several times out of the blue asking about something nearby, or to confirm my destination. So I do know they are looking at it.

[dbhindin]

Here is some local knowledge for San Francisco, CA which is located in USCG District 11
The local Sector San Francisco Coast guard assets including Cutters (87xxx) , MLBs(47xxx) and RBS (25xxxx)) all appear to have AIS. They were all very active on a regular basis as seen in a local real time AIS feed. Lately, they have been mostly quiet
The San Francisco Vessel Traffic Service (VTS) is based on AIS and radar.

http://www.uscg.mil/D11/vtssf/default.asp

It has a network of AIS receivers. I have visited their facility on Yerba Buena Island.

I cannot tell you if the stations and headquarters for Sector San Francisco have their own AIS display capability. I would assume that it would be forthcoming as part of an effort called NAIS:

http://www.uscg.mil/acquisition/nais/