On Jul 13, 2:15 pm, "~^ beancounter ~^" wrote:
" I am planning on adding AIS "

whats AIS? it that the service you register with and watch
traffic on a web site? ...

Well you may be able to see AIS on a web site, but it is a digital
networking system deployed over VHF radio used by vessels to transmit
their identification and navigational particulars and to receive the
IDs and particulars of other vessels, virtual nav aids and
navigational warnings. A voluntarily equipped vessel may deploy a
transceiver in either "A" or "B" types (though "B" is not yet legal in
the USA) or may choose a receive only unit. A receiving station
should be able to "see" all transmitting vessels within VHF range.
While the system is dependent on the quality of the transmitted data,
when it works it should be much better than even the best stabilized
ARPA radar for collision avoidance.

-- Tom.