As of July 1, 2003, ships of more than 300 gross tons or more than 20 m long in Panama Canal waters must have an automatic identification system (AIS). To assist vessels that arrive without a functional AIS, the Panama Canal Authority is offering vessel-tracking, pilot-portable AIS units for rent at U.S. $150 per transit until December 31, 2004. The U.S. Department of Transportation's Volpe Transportation Systems Center developed the units for the canal, and the Authority has adopted the technology to track its own tugboats, launches, and dredges. The Authority has also interfaced the Volpe technology with the canal's new AIS network and port radar systems. According to advisories from the Panama Canal Authority, some AIS units on ships arriving at the canal are not operating correctly. Additional early feedback and results from AIS use on the Panama Canal will be available later this year.
Abstract