Which of the following is true concerning Class B AIS units?

Which of the following is true concerning Class B AIS units?

• A. They are mandatory on all SOLAS vessels
• B. They may be fitted on non-SOLAS vessels, such as small boats
• C. They provide less data than Class A units
• D. They are designed for commercial use only

Answer: (B)

Class B AIS units are indeed designed to be fitted on non-SOLAS vessels, such as small boats. This aspect of Class B units reflects their purpose to enhance maritime safety by providing a means for smaller, non-commercial vessels to participate in vessel tracking and collision avoidance systems. These units allow for the transmission of position and movement data, albeit with some limitations compared to Class A AIS units, typically used on larger commercial vessels. While they operate with less stringent requirements for data transmission and may provide fewer data elements than Class A, their inclusion on non-SOLAS vessels is crucial for improving situational awareness in busy waterways. The other statements do not accurately describe Class B AIS units; for example, they are not mandatory on SOLAS vessels, which require Class A units, and they serve a broader range of vessels beyond just commercial use.

Class B AIS units are indeed designed to be fitted on non-SOLAS vessels, such as small boats. This aspect of Class B units reflects their purpose to enhance maritime safety by providing a means for smaller, non-commercial vessels to participate in vessel tracking and collision avoidance systems.

These units allow for the transmission of position and movement data, albeit with some limitations compared to Class A AIS units, typically used on larger commercial vessels. While they operate with less stringent requirements for data transmission and may provide fewer data elements than Class A, their inclusion on non-SOLAS vessels is crucial for improving situational awareness in busy waterways.

The other statements do not accurately describe Class B AIS units; for example, they are not mandatory on SOLAS vessels, which require Class A units, and they serve a broader range of vessels beyond just commercial use.