amber jj wrote:I'm deaf as a doornail,is there anything available with wi-fi that my VHF radio can transmit & receive to a wireless headset.I can hear while sitting or at idle but underway it is pretty much impossible for me to process the words.
AIS uses more visual interfaces than audible, so as long as the alert, which is usually for a CPA (Closest Point of Approach) warning, has a loud buzzer/beep, you would probably be ok. The really handy part is that you not only see the ship's info, but you know what her name is, course, and speed. Knowing the name makes it easy to hail them if there's an issue.
So for example, on my recent late season trip. I was steaming to Port Jefferson on Long Island. There are two large ferries that run between there and Bridgeport CT. It was pretty hazzy so I was using my radar, but I also had my AIS app up and running. As I approached the entrance I was able to look at the screen and see where the ferry was, hidden in the mist and approaching, but clearly far away enough to know she wasn't a problem. The second ferry was tied up at the dock so I knew they wouldn't be a problem.
What this did was improve my Situational Awareness, and allow me to concentrate on the waters right around me.
What the app does NOT do, and what dvlyon's true AIS does do, is show up on the ferry's AIS plot. And the app is only as good as your cellular data connection. (Which is pretty good in Long Island Sound) But the app is a good way to try this stuff out and for friends and family to track you.
I use iNavX on my iPad for navigation. It is a great app and I have yet to have any issues with it. The AIS unit sends all local AIS targets to the current chart for viewing via the Wi-Fi connection. Setup is a breeze. I highly recommend the XB-8000 and iNavX app to all that want AIS and another cool toy to play with.
