AIS Plot Screen overview
The third main screen is the AIS PLOT screen. This screen shows a map with all nearby vessels displayed, with your vessel at the centre. You can easily zoom in or out to adjust the area around your vessel, call another vessel, and change the map's orientation to suit your needs.
| No. | Name | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Screen name | This is the name of the screen that you are on. |
| 2 | Map |
This is the area around your vessel, with your vessel in the centre. |
| 3 | Scale | Shows the distance between the circles on the map. |
| 4 | View softkey |
If you’d like to change the map's orientation so that the north marker is always at the top, simply press this softkey. |
| 5 | Call softkey |
Press this softkey to make a DSC call to the selected vessel. See here to learn how to make a DSC call. |
| 6 | Zoom softkey | If you need, press this softkey to increase and decrease the area shown around your vessel. |
| 7 | Course over ground (True) | This shows the course of the selected vessel relevant to the earth’s surface. |
| 8 | Range | This shows the distance between your vessel and the selected vessel. |
| 9 | Selected vessel name | This is the name of the vessel that is currently selected. |
Screen icons
Below is a list of all icons that may appear on the map and their descriptions.
| Icon | Description |
|---|---|
| Your vessel Your vessel in position relative to other nearby vessels. | |
| Distance indicator Indicators used to measure the distance around your vessel. | |
| Other vessel Currently selected vessel. | |
| Other vessel Currently unselected vessel. | |
| Other vessel Currently selected vessel infringing on the set CPA threshold. | |
| Other vessel Currently unselected vessel infringing on the set CPA threshold. | |
| Vessel up Vessel Up viewing mode is currently selected. | |
| North up North Up viewing mode is currently selected. | |
| Scale Indicates the distance between each ring on the map. | |
| Collision Vessels are on a collision course. | |
| Search and rescue A rescue helicopter. | |
| Search and rescue A rescue plane. |
Vessel information
Use the arrow buttons and the OK button to select a vessel. The vessel information is shown.
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The vessels call sign.
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The vessel type.
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The MMSI number.
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The distance of the vessel from your current position.
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The vessels bearing relative to your position.
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The vessels CPA.
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The vessels TCPA.
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The vessels SOG.
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The vessels COG.
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The vessels current latitude.
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The vessels current longitude.
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The vessels true heading (if provided).
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The length of the vessel.
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The beam (width) of the vessel.
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The time since the last transmission received from that vessel .
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Whether the vessel is marked as a favourite contact: YES, means it's saved in your phonebook, and NO means it's not.
If you want to view only your saved contacts on the screen, simply press the FILTER softkey. This feature allows you to customize your display, making it easier to find and manage your contacts without any distractions from other information. It’s a handy way to streamline your communication and stay organized while you're on the water.
Making a DSC call from the AIS plot screen
DSC calls can be made from the AIS PLOT screen.
Click here to learn how to make DSC calls.
Zooming in and out
The zoom function on the AIS PLOT screen lets you adjust the size of the area around your vessel, helping you see more or less of your surroundings as needed. To decrease the area shown around your vessel, just press the ZOOM softkey. When fully zoomed in, pressing the softkey again resets the displayed distance.