The ship's draft must be encoded in AIS using which measurement?

The ship's draft must be encoded in AIS using which measurement?

• A. Feet
• B. Meters
• C. Centimeters
• D. Yards

Answer: (B)

In the context of the Automatic Identification System (AIS), the ship's draft is required to be encoded in meters. This standard aligns with international maritime regulations and practices, ensuring consistency and clarity in the transmission of navigational information. By using meters, AIS allows for uniformity in the data shared among vessels and shore authorities, facilitating better understanding and interoperability across international waters. The metric system, particularly meters, is widely adopted in maritime documentation and is integral to the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) and other navigational systems like ECDIS. Adhering to this standard ensures that all stakeholders can accurately interpret the draft information, which is crucial for safe navigation, especially in shallow waters or restricted passages where draft restrictions apply. Given that the other units like feet, centimeters, and yards are not utilized for encoding this specific data in AIS, encoding the draft in meters prevents potential confusion and promotes safe maritime operations.

In the context of the Automatic Identification System (AIS), the ship's draft is required to be encoded in meters. This standard aligns with international maritime regulations and practices, ensuring consistency and clarity in the transmission of navigational information. By using meters, AIS allows for uniformity in the data shared among vessels and shore authorities, facilitating better understanding and interoperability across international waters.

The metric system, particularly meters, is widely adopted in maritime documentation and is integral to the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) and other navigational systems like ECDIS. Adhering to this standard ensures that all stakeholders can accurately interpret the draft information, which is crucial for safe navigation, especially in shallow waters or restricted passages where draft restrictions apply.

Given that the other units like feet, centimeters, and yards are not utilized for encoding this specific data in AIS, encoding the draft in meters prevents potential confusion and promotes safe maritime operations.