The Automatic Identification System transmits real-time vessel data across VHF frequencies to ships, coastal stations, and satellites, improving situational awareness in congested waterways and supporting search and rescue operations globally. This guide covers how AIS works, what Class A and Class B systems do differently, what data is broadcast, and where the technology’s limitations lie.
From January 1, 2026, firefighting media containing more than 10 mg/kg of PFOS will be prohibited on ships worldwide under SOLAS amendments adopted by IMO’s Maritime Safety Committee. The ban affects both new and existing vessels, and for operators trading to Europe, it intersects directly with IHM obligations under the EU Ship Recycling Regulation. Compliance preparation must begin now.
In a global industry where officers from dozens of nations share bridge watchkeeping responsibilities, navigation channels, and distress frequencies, the Standard Marine Communication Phrases provide the common linguistic foundation that makes safe coordination possible. This guide explains what SMCP is, how it works, and why its precise use is a professional and safety obligation.
When an emergency occurs at sea, external assistance may be hours away. The life-saving equipment mandated under SOLAS for every vessel is the only safety infrastructure available in those critical first hours, and its effectiveness depends entirely on its condition, its correct deployment, and the familiarity of the people using it.
