Class A AIS Training for Onboard Personnel: Key Content and Skill Requirements

The effective utilization of Class A AIS relies not only on high-quality equipment but also on the professional skills of onboard personnel. Many maritime accidents and equipment failures stem from improper AIS operation. Therefore, enhancing Class A AIS training for onboard teams is essential to ensuring voyage safety, regulatory compliance, and efficient equipment performance. This article outlines the key content and skill requirements for comprehensive Class A AIS training.

Key Content of Class A AIS Training

Class A AIS training should cover the following core content to ensure that onboard personnel have a comprehensive understanding and mastery of AIS:

Basic Knowledge of AIS: Including the working principle, classification, and core functions of AIS; international and domestic regulatory requirements for Class A AIS; and the importance of AIS in navigational safety and maritime security.

Equipment Operation Skills: Including the startup and shutdown of Class A AIS, parameter configuration (static information, communication channels, alarm thresholds), information viewing (own ship information, nearby ship information), short message sending and receiving, and historical data playback.

Troubleshooting Skills: Common AIS faults and their causes, quick troubleshooting methods, and precautions for fault handling; how to contact technical support when faults cannot be resolved.

Application in Collision Avoidance: How to use AIS information to judge collision risks; how to combine AIS with radar, ECDIS, and visual observation to formulate collision avoidance measures; common mistakes in AIS collision avoidance and how to avoid them.

Compliance Operation Requirements: Requirements for 24/7 continuous operation of AIS; prohibitions on tampering with AIS information and turning off equipment without authorization; requirements for recording AIS operation and fault conditions in the navigation log.

Application in Special Scenarios: The use of AIS in high-risk areas, piracy-prone areas, and bad weather; information exchange with shore-based command centers and other ships in emergency situations.

Skill Requirements for Onboard Personnel

After training, onboard personnel should meet the following skill requirements:

Be able to proficiently operate Class A AIS, complete parameter configuration, information viewing, and other operations, and ensure that the equipment operates normally;

Be able to accurately judge the dynamic information of nearby ships through AIS, identify collision risks, and cooperate with other navigational equipment to carry out collision avoidance operations;

Be able to quickly identify common AIS faults and take appropriate troubleshooting measures to restore the normal operation of the equipment;

Be familiar with the regulatory requirements for AIS, operate in compliance with the regulations, and avoid non-compliance behaviors;

Be able to use AIS to exchange information with other ships and shore-based command centers in special scenarios (such as high-risk areas, emergencies) and take correct response measures.

Training Methods and Suggestions

To improve the effectiveness of Class A AIS training, shipping companies can adopt the following training methods:

Combination of Theoretical Teaching and Practical Operation: Theoretical teaching covers basic knowledge and regulatory requirements, while practical operation training allows personnel to operate real AIS equipment or simulators to master operation skills.

Scenario Simulation Training: Set up scenarios such as collision risks, AIS faults, and piracy warnings to let personnel practice handling methods in simulated environments, improving their emergency response capabilities.

Regular Refresher Training: With the update of AIS technology and regulations, regular refresher training should be carried out to ensure that onboard personnel master the latest knowledge and skills.

Online Training and Assessment: Use online training platforms to provide convenient training resources for onboard personnel, and conduct online assessments to test training effects.

By strengthening Class A AIS training for onboard personnel, shipping companies can improve the professional quality of their personnel, ensure the effective use of AIS equipment, and lay a solid foundation for voyage safety and maritime security.

Need comprehensive support for Class A AIS operator training? We provide professional training resources, practical operation guidance and high-performance AIS products to help your team master key skills. Get in touch for tailored training solutions and equipment support!

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