Martin,

I have a Milltech AIS receiver that streams data to the Cap'n on the laptop.
It is very nice to be able to see the data from the ships as to their course
and their destination. I remember one time that I made a tack different from
what I might have done just because I could see that the tanker coming down
the bay was going to turn east rather than west.

Only one additional thought. How about a Class B transceiver?

Check out this: http://www.milltechmarine.com/AIS-300.htm

Ansley Sawyer
SV Pacem