On 1 December 2009, the Maritime Administration started the trial of providing AIS AtoN service. Through the AIS (Automatic Identification System) network, seafarers are sent real-time status information on AtoN. The system is automatic, and in case a ship is equipped with modern navigation software, the electronic chart on the navigation computer on board displays a symbol that corresponds to the particular floating aid (the symbol as well as the corresponding information is updated every three minutes).

The message forwarded to navigators by the AIS system contains identification data on a navigation buoy, information about whether the light and other devices on the buoy are working properly and whether the buoy is in the right position. If a buoy is off position and navigators rely on that floating aid, there is the danger of grounding, so the system sends a warning message to the ships in the vicinity.

Synthetic AIS AtoN means that the AtoN itself does not carry AIS equipment, nor does it forward AIS messages, but the data on AtoN are sent through the remote monitoring system which is connected with the AIS base stations network, and it forwards the necessary data to seafarers.

In the trial period, 24 ice buoys installed in the area from the Bay of Muuga to the Bay of Pärnu will be used. Testing is carried out within the framework of the Baltic Sea Region Programme 2007-2013 project EfficienSea and it is expected to take at least six months.

e-mail: eva@vta.ee