" The need for radar and AIS or GPS are independent. There will never be
any
such system that allows one to proceed without radar...that is if one
wishes to be reasonably safe. Such systems complement but do not replace
each other.

Jim Donohue

The vast majority of small craft do not carry radar, but do have vhf and
gps; so I can see that the addition of a cheap AIS receiver would complement
the system very well.

Crossing very busy shipping lanes, such as the English Channel, would be
much safer if AIS positions were displayed. It would not be infallible but a
considerable improvement.

Regards
Jeff