Questions & Answers - AIS, General Shipping, US & UK Navy, Cruises

What are the most important things you need to know about ship tracking, military service and cruises?

Questions & Answers

AIS General Navy Cruises

How do I find the current location of a ship?

Here we have a list of a few prominent websites which are widely used for near-accurate online ship tracking.

The Best Vessel Tracking Websites are:

1. MarineTraffic.com

2. FleetMon.com

3. Shipfinder.com

4. VesselFinder.com

5. Vesseltracker.com

6. MarineVesselTraffic.com

7. Myshiptracking.com

8. ShipCruises.org

What is the best ship tracker?

For everybody who loves ships - and everybody who works with them: MarineVesselTraffic.com is the premier vessel trackеr Enjoy real-time live AIS positions with great coverage at your fingertips!

Can you track cargo ships?

If you know the IMO, MMSI, ENI number or the name of the vessel that is carrying your cargo, you can enter this with an AIS maritime tracking intelligence provider, like MarineVesselTraffic.com, to track the vessel's progress at sea.

Can you track US Navy ships?

MarineVesselTraffic also provides additional ship specific details and information not found elsewhere. The United States Navy is a division of the Department of the Navy. Find all military ships with our website on a live map.

What is AIS ship tracker?

The automatic identification system (AIS) is an automatic tracking system that uses transceivers on ships and is used by vessel traffic services (VTS). AIS is intended to assist a vessel's watchstanding officers and allow maritime authorities to track and monitor vessel movements.

How many ships are at sea right now?

More than 90,000 commercial ships make up the world's commercial fleet, their locations closely tracked and the resulting data available for free. GIJN has compiled a comprehensive list of resources to track ships (including big yachts and fishing boats).

Is Marine Vessel Traffic accurate?

To provide users with accurate and actionable data, MarineVesselTraffic.com uses real-time filtering and analysis combined with post-processing. The chaotic raw data flow is filtered down to 30 million positions each day: one position per ship, per minute.

Is there a flight radar for ships?

The Marine Traffic is a Live Radar system which allows users all around the world to track ships, freighter, cargo ships, tanker ships, human trafficker, liner, passenger ships, SAR (search and rescue helicopter), sports boats, yachts, vessels, cruiser ships and so on.

What is the Draught of a ship?

The draft or draught of a ship's hull is the vertical distance between the waterline and the bottom of the hull (keel), with the thickness of the hull included, in the case of not being included the draft outline would be obtained. Draft determines the minimum depth of water a ship or boat can safely navigate.

How many ships are in the world?

The number of ships in the world exceeds 120,000. As of January 2018, there were 53,732 ships in the world's merchant fleets only. The other types of ships are research vessels, search-and-rescue, pleasure crafts, icebreakers, oil rigs, special ships, navy ships, and many other.

What is vessel in shipping?

Basically, a vessel is anything that can float and can be steered or moved, either by own means or by other means (for example – if it is towed). Apart from a ship, a floating platform, boats, barges etc can also be called a vessel.

How often does Marine Vessel Traffic update?

As a rule of thumb, in-range vessels will be updated on a 60-second basis (1 position report per MMSI per minute). The Live Map (and the other website pages) update accordingly.

What is a voyage number mean?

The numeric identification of a round trip sailing of a vessel on a fixed trade lane.

Do military ships have AIS?

U.S. Navy ships, and other government vessels, are not required to use AIS, the maritime navigation safety communications system, standardized by the International Telecommunication Union and adopted by the International Maritime Organization.Sep 19, 2017

Are there any Navy ships in the Great Lakes?

Yes, sometimes. For example, navy warships, on their first scheduled cruise in the Great Lakes since 1999, pulled in along Chicago's lakefront as sailors celebrated Navy Week and the 200th anniversary of the War of 1812. A Navy frigate and patrol coastal ship, a Coast Guard cutter and two Royal Canadian Navy vessels were also on hand.

Can ships turn off AIS?

A ship's crew may turn off its AIS broadcast for a variety of legitimate reasons, but this behavior may indicate that a vessel is hiding its location and identity to conceal illegal activities like fishing in no-take protected areas or entering another country's waters without authorization.

What is the difference between AIS Class A and B?

AIS Class B is intended for use on non-SOLAS vessels. These can include domestic commercial vessels and pleasure craft. AIS Class B units have less functionality than Class A units but they operate and communicate with AIS Class A units and other types of AIS units.

When can AIS be switched off?

According to IMO guidelines provided by Resolution A. 917(22), AIS should always be in operation when ships are underway or at anchor. Only if the master believes that the continual operation of AIS might compromise the safety or security of the ship, the AIS may be switched off.

Is there a jail on a cruise ship?

Most Ships Have a Jail, Medical Unit, and Morgue. One of the most shocking cruise ship facts is a jail cell hidden away at the bottom of the vessel in the crew areas. Most ships have a morgue that can hold one to three bodies.

What is the busiest shipping lane in the world?

Тhe English Channel. Known as the busiest shipping lane in the world, the English Channel separates England from France, and connects the North Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. The channel is 350 miles long, 20-150 miles wide, and 150-400 feet deep. More than 500 ships pass through this channel daily.

Do cruise ships have a morgue?

Each oceangoing cruise ship is required to carry body bags and maintain a morgue. Separate from food storage areas, most morgues are small, with room for three to six bodies. But when the ship is far from its homeport or doesn't have a homeport, the body must be repatriated from somewhere.

How does ship tracker work?

MaineVesselTraffic.com works by picking up AIS ship feeds used by commercial vessels and pleasure craft to transmit their name, position, MMSI, status and lots more. The system is called AIS. This information is picked up by our receivers in the area. The receivers send the data across the internet to our servers.

How do you turn off AIS?

Select Settings > Other Vessels > AIS > Off. All AIS functionality on all charts and 3D chart views is disabled. This includes AIS vessel targeting and tracking, collision alarms that result from AIS vessel targeting and tracking, and the display of information about AIS vessels.

Do I need AIS on my boat?

The new USCG AIS Rule requires most commercial boats operating in the US to install and operate a USCG certified AIS transceiver. Previously, under the international SOLAS regulation, only vessels over 300 Gross Tons on an international voyage were required to have an AIS Class A transceiver.

What type of ship shows up on AIS display?

Just about every commercial vessel will have an AIS transponder. Specifically, AIS is mandatory on all ships of 300 gross tonnage and upwards engaged on international voyages, cargo ships of 500 gross tonnage and upwards not engaged on international voyages and passenger ships irrespective of size.

What is the difference between AIS and radar?

AIS is more accurate than radar since it is continuously fed with data from reliable sensors. Radar can have very poor accuracy when tracking a target. AIS maintains its accuracy and gives a prompt indication of changes in heading, and will give the rate of turn if it is available from the target.

What frequency does AIS transmit on?

AIS communication takes place using two VHF frequencies, 161.975 MHz and 162.025 MHz, using a bandwidth of 25 kHz.

How long can a ship stay at sea?

However, you will not be at sea for three years straight, as most ships spend a significant amount of time docked at their home port. Deployments can last anywhere from 6 to 9 months, with significant time between deployments.

How long does it take a ship to cross the Atlantic?

Depending on a ship's speed, it generally takes between six and eight days to actually cross the Atlantic. Many lines choose to add a few ports of call, and this will stretch the length of the cruise to two weeks or more.

Is it illegal to jump off a cruise ship?

Intentionally jumping into the water from a passenger vessel is considered interfering with the safe operation of the vessel and is illegal.

Where does poop go on a cruise ship?

Directly into the sea together with millions of tons of other waste produced by passengers. For this reason the Wolrd Ocean is so much polluted and there are gigantic islands of floating trash therein. Photos of this are all over internet. Just search for them. The major pollutant are US citizens which are responsible for 90% of all this crime against nature and the rest of humanity.

Are there pirates on the Great Lakes?

The Great Lakes pirates were some of the most fearsome and burly of any waters on the map. Known as Timber Pirates by some, these buccaneers would ship up to the Upper Peninsula to cut down wide areas of timber to sell to industrializing cities east of the state.

Is it hard to get into Navy?

Getting into the Navy is not an easy task. Aside from medical and physical standards, there are height and weight standards, criminal standards, as well as academic standards. The Navy requires a minimum ASVAB score of 35 to enlist in the regular Navy.

What is the biggest ship in history?

Seawise Giant. Originally smaller, jumboisation made Seawise Giant the largest ship ever by length, displacement (657,019 tonnes), and deadweight tonnage.

What is freeboard of a ship?

Freeboard is the distance measured from the waterline to the upper edge of the deck plating at side of the freeboard deck amidships. The result of this calculation – the load line mark – is permanently marked on the ship hull.

How is ship Draught calculated?

The mean draft is obtained by calculating from the averaging of the stern and bow drafts, with correction for water level variation and value of the position of F with respect to the average perpendicular. The trim of a ship is the difference between the forward and aft draft.

What are the numbers on the front of a ship?

The numbers arranged in a vertical line—called draft marks—measure the distance between the bottom of the hull (the keel) and the waterline. If the water comes up to the 10-meter line, for example, that means 10 meters of the ship is underwater.

How many cruise ships are currently at sea in the Pandemic?

Unlike airliners, the over 300 cruise ships that are out there, aren't just static, shutdown, mothballed, and tied up somewhere. Despite the pause on cruising, ships are on the move at any moment.

How long does it take to unload a container ship?

About 24 hours. It usually takes about 24 hours for a port to deal with loading and unloading the largest vessels.

How do I get AIS data? Where can I get AIS data?

Local, state and federal government agencies can request real-time or historical U.S. Coast Guard Nationwide AIS (NAIS) data on our NAIS Data Request page. Some NAIS historical data is also publically available at MarineCadastre.gov.

Where is the 7th Fleet?

The Seventh Fleet is a numbered fleet of the United States Navy. It is headquartered at U.S. Fleet Activities Yokosuka, in Yokosuka, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan. It is part of the United States Pacific Fleet.

How large is the US Navy fleet?

With 336,978 personnel on active duty and 101,583 in the Ready Reserve, the U.S. Navy is the third largest of the U.S. military service branches in terms of personnel. It has 290 deployable combat vessels and more than 3,700 operational aircraft as of June 2019.

Where are US Navy fleets located?

- United States Third Fleet (HQ San Diego, California) - East Pacific

- United States Fourth Fleet (HQ Mayport, Florida) - South Atlantic

- United States Fifth Fleet (HQ Manama, Bahrain) - Middle East

- United States Sixth Fleet (HQ Naples, Italy) - Europe, including Mediterranean Sea & Black Sea.

What is IMO of vessel?

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) number is a unique identifier for ships, registered ship owners and management companies. They consist of the three letters IMO followed by unique seven-digit numbers, assigned under the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS).

What does MMSI mean?

Maritime Mobile Service Identity (MMSI) is a unique 9 digit number that is assigned to an individual vessel. It is entered into DSC (Digital Selective Calling) radios and AIS (Automatic Identification System) units used on that vessel.

What are the types of AIS?

Types of AIS:

- AIS units carried on board vessels.

- AIS carried on board aircraft to support maritime safety.

- AIS base stations are non-shipborne stations which can relay information from AtoN and vessels.

- AIS AtoN which can be a physical aid to navigation or a virtual aid which broadcasts information.

What is the use of AIS?

The Automatic Identification System (AIS) is a system used by ships and Vessel Traffic Services (VTS) principally for identification and locating vessels. AIS provides a means for ships to electronically exchange ship data including: identification, position, course, and speed, with other nearby ships and VTS stations.

What is a boat call sign?

Maritime call signs are call signs assigned as unique identifiers to ships and boats. All radio transmissions must be individually identified by the call sign. Merchant and naval vessels are assigned call signs by their national licensing authorities.

Do you need a license for a handheld VHF?

You must have a separate Ship Portable Radio Licence for each hand held VHF DSC radio. This is because each individual radio is given a separate identity.

What is the biggest ship that sank?

RMS Titanic. The sinking of RMS Titanic in April 1912 remains the worst, and the most infamous, cruise ship disaster in history. The sinking of the biggest passenger ship ever built at the time resulted in the death of more than 1,500 of the 2,208 people onboard.

What is the most famous marine tragedy of all time?

The wartime sinking of the German Wilhelm Gustloff in January 1945 in World War II by a Soviet Navy submarine, with an estimated loss of about 9,400 people, remains the deadliest maritime disaster ever. The 1987 loss of the Philippine ferry Dona Paz, with an estimated 4,386 dead, is the largest peacetime loss recorded.

How big was the Titanic?

It had a gross registered tonnage (i.e., carrying capacity) of 46,328 tons, and when fully laden the ship displaced (weighed) more than 52,000 tons. The Titanic was approximately 882.5 feet (269 metres) long and about 92.5 feet (28.2 metres) wide at its widest point.

How do you find the ETA of a vessel?

Calculate elapsed time of voyage:

- Distance traveled is divided by the speed to find time in hours.) (Divide the hours by 24 to find the number of days.

- If your calculator has a button that converts decimal parts of hours and minutes to hours and minutes described in time (or arc), press it now.

How many aircraft carriers does USA have?

As of January 2021, there are 43 active aircraft carriers in the world operated by fourteen navies. The United States Navy has 11 large nuclear-powered fleet carriers - carrying around 80 fighter jets each - the largest carriers in the world, the total combined deck space is over twice that of all other nations combined.

Where is HMS Queen Elizabeth?

HMS Queen Elizabeth is an active aircraft carrier operated by the Royal Navy, and as a result is not open to the public. But, when the ship is in Portsmouth Harbour both can be seen from several vantage points within Portsmouth Historic Dockyard.

What are the AIS frequencies?

AIS communication takes place using two VHF frequencies, 161.975 MHz and 162.025 MHz, using a bandwidth of 25 kHz.

How many ships are lost at sea every year?

There were 94 total losses reported around the shipping world in 2017, down 4 percent year-on-year, according to Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty SE's (AGCS) Safety & Shipping Review 2018.

Are there still cruise ships stuck out at sea?

The cruise industry has returned home more than 250,000 seafarers from ships around the world over the past few months, according to the ITF. However, an estimated 300,000 like Mohitram remain trapped worldwide, working beyond completion of their international contracts - most aboard cargo and shipping vessels.

Is Marine Vessel Traffic free?

Yes, there is a FREE version of the most popular vessel tracking app, providing real-time data on the positions and movements of vessels, utilizing a large network of terrestrial AIS receivers.

What is the displacement of a ship?

The displacement of a ship, D, is defined as the number of tones of water it displaces. The volume of displacement, V, is the underwater volume of a ship afloat i.e. the volume below the waterline.

What is the smallest ship?

Researchers at Leiden University in The Netherlands have built what they believe to be the world's smallest vessel. The unnamed boat was created with a micro-3D printer, and it measures all of 30 micrometers in length (about 1/1000th of an inch). This is about one third the width of a single human hair.

Which country owns the most ships?

Greece. In early 2019, Greece remains the largest owner country with a share of 20.4 % in terms of dwt, now followed by China (14.5 %) and Japan (13.0 %).

Who owns the most ships in the world?

China now takes the lead as the highest valued container fleet owner, cinching the crown with $17.3 billion versus Germany's $16.4 billion fleet.

What is the difference between cargo ship and passenger ship?

A passenger ship is a merchant ship whose primary function is to carry passengers on the sea. Project cargo is a term used to broadly describe the national or international transportation of large, heavy, high value, or critical (to the project they are intended for) pieces of equipment.

How many types of ships are there?

Modern naval vessels can be broken down into three categories: surface warships, submarines, and auxiliary ships. Modern warships are generally divided into seven main categories: aircraft carriers, cruisers, destroyers, frigates, corvettes, submarines and amphibious assault ships.

What is the average size of a cargo ship?

Around 700 feet. An average cargo ship, around 700 feet long, can carry approximately 1,000 of these 40-foot containers.

What is a sea voyage?

Sea traffic from a specified point of origin to a specified point of destination. Context: A voyage can be divided into a number of stages or sections. Sea voyages are sometimes referred to as sea journeys.

Which US fleet is the biggest?

Seventh Fleet is the largest of the U.S. Navy's forwarddeployed fleets. At any given time there are roughly 50 to 70 ships and submarines, 140 aircraft, and approximately 20,000 Sailors in Seventh Fleet.

What Royal Navy ships are based in Portsmouth?

It is home to almost two-thirds of the Royal Navy's surface ships, including the new aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth, the formidable Type 45 destroyers, Type 23 frigates and mine countermeasures and fishery protection squadrons. It will also be home to HMS Prince Of Wales, the sister ship of HMS Queen Elizabeth.

What is the purpose of an annual testing of AIS?

The purpose of an annual testing is to determine that AIS is operational as defined in appropriate performance standards - the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Performance Standard (MSC 74(69)) and IEC standard, IEC 61993-2: Maritime Navigation and Radio Communications Equipment and Standards - Automatic.

Did U boats enter the Great Lakes?

“We have known for a long time that the Nazis sent some of their U-boats in the St. Lawrence River, but this is the first proof that they actually reached the Great Lakes,” said professor Mark Carpenter, who leads the team of archeologists from Niagara University who helped locate and recover the submarine.

Do ships have transponders?

What is a Class B AIS?

Class B units are designed for smaller vessels with fewer power options, less space and fewer antennas than a large commercial vessel. As smaller vessels rarely include a second antenna, most Class B devices need to use an antenna splitter to regulate use of the VHF antenna between the VHF radio and AIS device.

Why the ship master is allowed to switch off the AIS in specific areas?

Pirates could even look at the ship information to see whether valuable cargos are being carried. Because of this security concern, the IMO amended its AIS guidelines in 2003 to allow ship masters to switch off the AIS in specific areas where the threat of attack by piracy or terrorists are imminent.

Is there police on cruise ships?

If a cruise ship is a floating city, then the captain is its mayor. But when it comes to law and order, there is no police force and no courts. That can leave victims of crime aboard the ship unprotected - because it is not clear which laws apply.

Which is the biggest port in world?

The Port of Shanghai is the biggest port in the world based on cargo throughput. The Chinese port handled 744 million tonnes of cargo in 2012, including 32.5 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) of containers. The port is located at the mouth of the Yangtze River covering an area of 3,619km².

What are shipping lanes called?

A sea lane, sea road or shipping lane is a regularly used navigable route for large water vessels (ships) on wide waterways such as oceans and large lakes, and is preferably safe, direct and economic. Sea lanes are very important for seaborne trade.

Why cruise ships are bad?

Cruise ships generate a number of waste streams that can result in discharges to the marine environment, including sewage, graywater, hazardous wastes, oily bilge water, ballast water, and solid waste. They also emit air pollutants to the air and water.

Where do cruise ships get sent to die?

It's hard to imagine but most will eventually end up in breaking yards such as Gadani, near the Pakistan port of Karachi, or Alang, India, where they'll be systematically torn apart. When a ship's been earmarked for scrapping in somewhere like Alang, its operator will first remove anything it wants for salvage.

How much does it cost to live on cruise ship?

The average cruise ship passenger spends around $213 per day, which would add up to $77,745 for someone living aboard the ship full-time.

What is the biggest ship in the Royal Caribbean fleet?

Symphony of the Seas and Harmony of the Seas

What do cruise ships do with sewage?

U.S. law allows cruise ships to dump raw sewage in the ocean once a ship is more than three miles off U.S. shores. Ships can dump treated sewage anywhere in the ocean except in Alaskan waters, where companies must comply with higher state standards.

Are cruise ships bad for your health?

The air quality on cruise ships is so bad, it could harm your health, undercover report says. Cruise ships generate high levels of air pollution that could endanger the health of passengers, staff and port communities, according to an undercover report released Jan 26, 2019.

How bad are cruise ships for the ocean?

Cruise ships have often been described as 'floating cities' and as environmental groups have pointed out that they are just as if not more polluting. On top of the pollution caused by their exhaust fumes, cruise ships have been caught discarding trash, fuel, and sewage directly into the ocean.

Will you die if you fall off a cruise ship?

What are the chances of surviving a cruise ship fall? Sadly, most cases - an estimated 85 to 90 percent - end in death.

How likely are you to die on a cruise ship?

Roughly 1 in 6.25 million. The odds of dying on a cruise ship are roughly 1 in 6.25 million. It's much more dangerous to drive in a car, where the odds of dying in a crash are about 1 in 645.

Do cruise ship lifeboats have toilets?

Correct. There are two large portholes on the sides, sliding doors, that provide the only means of both ventilation and ability for you to get seasick. There are no toilets onboard these lifeboats. So these doors are your only means of relieving yourself.

How many cruise ships are there in the world?

As of December 2018, there are 1568 cruise ships (both ocean and river) operating worldwide, with a combined capacity of 1,537,000 passengers. Cruising has become a major part of the tourism industry, with an estimated market of $29.4 billion per year, and over 19 million passengers carried worldwide annually as of 2011.

What can you not do on a cruise?

8 Things You Shouldn't Do on a Cruise:

- Avoid these blunders on your next cruise.

- Fly into port the day of departure.

- Throw anything overboard.

- Shake hands.

- Avoid talking about being sick to fellow passengers.

- Be afraid of days at sea.

- Limit yourself to the main dining room.

- Wait until the last minute to sign up for shore excursions.

Do cruise ships have WIFI?

Yes, there is a WiFi connectivity via VOOM Wireless Internet Access. All you need is a wireless device with wifi capability. Wired (iCafes) Internet stations are also available onboard, the location of which vary depending on the ship. VOOM is available onboard all ships fleetwide.

How long can a ship last?

Cargo ships are usually specially designed for the task, often being equipped with cranes and other mechanisms to load and unload, and come in all sizes. Today, they are almost always built by welded steel and with some exceptions generally have a life expectancy of 25 to 30 years before being scrapped.

What was the first ship in the world?

The Pesse canoe is the world's oldest known ship, dating between 8040 and 7510 BC.

What is difference between a boat and a ship?

Among sailing vessels, the distinction between ships and boats is that a ship is a square-rigged craft with at least three masts, and a boat isn't. With regard to motorized craft, a ship is a large vessel intended for oceangoing or at least deep-water transport, and a boat is anything else. Thus, it's a ship.

Which is the smallest ocean in the world?

The Arctic Ocean is the smallest of the world's five ocean basins. A polar bear walks on the frozen surface of the Arctic Ocean. The freezing environment provides a home for a diverse range of creatures. With an area of about 6.1 million square miles, the Arctic Ocean is about 1.5 times as big as the United States.

Which are the busiest container ports

1. Shanghai, China, Asia

2. Singapore, Singapore, Asia

3. Shenzhen, China, Asia

4. Hong Kong, China, Asia

5. Busan, South Korea, Asia

6. Ningbo-Zhoushan, China, Asia

7. Qingdao, China, Asia

8. Guangzhou, China, Asia

9. Jebel Ali, United Arab Emirates, Asia

10. Tianjin, China, Asia

11. Rotterdam, Netherlands, Europe

12. Dalian, China, Asia

13. Port Klang, Malaysia, Asia

14. Kaohsiung, China, Asia

15. Hamburg, Germany, Europe

16. Antwerp, Belguim, Europe

17. Keihin ports, Japan, Asia

18. Xiamen, China, Asia

19. Los Angeles, U.S.A., North America

20. Tanjung Pelepas, Malaysia, Asia

21. Long Beach, U.S.A., North America

22. Tanjung Priok, Indonesia, Asia

23. Laem Chabang, Thailand, Asia

24. Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam, Asia

25. Bremerhaven, Germany, Europe

26. Lianyungung, China, Asia

27. New York, U.S.A., North America

28. Hanshin, Japan, Asia

29. Yingkou, China, Asia

30. Jeddah, Saudi Arabia , Asia

31. Algerciras, Spain, Europe

32. Valencia, Spain, Europe

33. Columbo, Sri Lanka , Asia

34. Jawaharlal Nehru, India, Asia

35. Sharjah, United Arab Emirates, Asia

36. Manila, Philippines, Asia

37. Felixstowe, United Kingdom, Europe

38. Santos, Brazil, South America

39. Ambarli, Turkey, Asia

40. Colon, Panama, North America

41. Salalah, Oman, Asia

42. Balboa, Panama, North America

43. Port Said East, Egypt, Africa

44. Gioia Tauro, Italy, Europe

45. Georgia Ports, U.S.A. , North America

46. Tanjung Perak, Indonesia, Asia

47. Metro Vancouver, Canada, North America

48. Marsaxlokk, Malta, Europe

49. Nagoya, Japan, Asia

50. Durban, South Africa, Africa

Which is the biggest port in Europe?

Rotterdam is Europe's largest port by far, a world-class port. Everything you could ever imagine is transported via the port of Rotterdam. The gateway to Europe.

What is the biggest port in the US?

Port name

1. Port of South Louisiana

2. Port of Houston, Texas

3. Port of New York and New Jersey Port Newark

4. Port of Beaumont, Texas

Can you refuse to pay gratuity on a cruise?

Yes, though cruise lines highly discourage it and will work with guests if they are not satisfied with the service on their voyage to adjust the fee to lesser gratuities if necessary.

Do cruise ships have armed guards?

Although experts usually advice against armed guards or weapons aboard passenger ships, they acknowledge that to protect more than 2,000 passengers, cruise ships employ security to deter hijackers. Armed guards are used by some companies usually to reassure the passengers that they have armed protection onboard.

What cruise ship sank recently?

As the Concordia approached Giglio Island several hours later, it deviated from its standard course, moving closer to the small Tuscan island for a maritime salute a common practice that included the cruise ship sounding its horn, the Concordia had performed several in the past.

How often do pirates attack cruise ships?

In more than a decade, there have been only six reported incidents of pirates attempting to attack cruise ships, and the most recent was more than four years ago already.

What is the longest cruise trip?

Viking Cruises, Ultimate World Cruise, which spanned 245 days, six continents, 59 countries and 113 ports, with 22 port overnights and a full circumnavigation of the globe - making it the longest-ever.

Do cruise ships leave passengers behind?

Cruise ship itineraries are planned at least two years before their sail date. They specify the time the ship arrives and leaves port. Passengers going ashore are asked to be back on board half an hour before the departure to make sure they don't miss the boat. It doesn't always go to plan.

How does the AIS work?

AIS works by taking your position and movements via the vessels' GPS system or an internal sensor built into an AIS unit. Shore based stations also have equipment that receive AIS transmitted information and display it on an electronic chart showing 'traffic' within the waters near them.

What is class of a vessel?

A ship class is a group of ships of a similar design. This is distinct from a ship type, which might reflect a similarity of tonnage or intended use. For example, USS Carl Vinson is a nuclear aircraft carrier (ship type) of the Nimitz class (ship class). Ships of the same class may be referred to as sister ships.

What is a manned VTS?

A vessel traffic service (VTS) is a marine traffic monitoring system established by harbour or port authorities, similar to air traffic control for aircraft. The service shall have the capability to interact with the traffic and respond to traffic situations developing in the VTS area.

Is it possible to connect GPS with the AIS?

The very popular AMEC CAMINO-101 Class B AIS transponder can now either use its internal GPS system coupled with the AMEC external antenna or it now supports using an external GPS device connected through the inbound NMEA port. Just be sure to use the same baud rate on the NMEA ports for both devices.

How do you test an AIS receiver?

If your AIS Receiver is working properly, you should experience the following:

1. You should see the LEDs light momentarily when you apply 12VDC power to the unit.

2. For Smart Radio models, normally, if an antenna is connected, you should see the red LED flash on and off at random intervals.

What was the start date for implementation of AIS?

11 September 2001. Automated Identification System. Among the numerous security regulations that came into effect after September 11, 2001 was the requirement for most commercial marine vessels to be fitted with Automatic Identification Systems (AIS).

What does shipping mean?

Shipping is the physical moving of good from one point to another, such as the moving of merchandise from the warehouse to the customer. The shipping process follows the manufacture and the packing of goods and will be controlled by a shipping or logistics company.

What is the thing that stops the boat called?

Fenders, used on all types of vessels, from cargo ships to cruise ships, ferries and personal yachts, prevent damage to vessels and berthing structures. Fenders are typically manufactured out of rubber, foam elastomer or plastic.

How many U boats did Germany have in WW2?

1,162 U. In World War II Germany built 1,162 U-boats, of which 785 were destroyed and the remainder surrendered (or were scuttled to avoid surrender) at the capitulation. Of the 632 U-boats sunk at sea, Allied surface ships and shore-based aircraft accounted for the great majority (246 and 245 respectively).

Can I join the military at 45 years old?

Unfortunately, no. Under Federal law, the oldest a recruit can be to enter any branch of the military is 42 years old.

Can you join the navy if you can't swim?

Whether you're a skilled swimmer or have never swum a stroke, you're welcome in the Navy. Part of Navy boot camp is the swim test. Many Sailors join the Navy without knowing how to swim, but instructors at boot camp are trained to teach you everything you'll need to know before the test.

Is smoking allowed on US Navy ships?

The policy banned the use of tobacco during basic training, increased the number of designated nonsmoking areas, and prohibited health care providers from smoking on duty. In 1993, the USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) became the first smoke-free Navy ship.

Does the US Navy patrol the Great Lakes?

The Great Lakes Patrol was carried out by American naval forces, beginning in 1844, mainly to suppress criminal activity and to protect the maritime border with Canada.

Do military ships and other government vessels use AIS?

What is a VTS?

Vessel Traffic Services (VTS) are shore-side systems which range from the provision of simple information messages to ships, such as position of other traffic or meterological hazard warnings, to extensive management of traffic within a port or waterway.

What is the main purpose of VTS?

The purpose of a Vessel Traffic Service (VTS) is to provide active monitoring and navigational advice for vessels in particularly confined and busy waterways. There are two main types of VTS, surveilled and non-surveilled.

Who has the largest navy in the world?

The US Department of Defense (DoD) has released its '2020 China Military Power Report' showing that the People's Republic of China (PRC) has the largest navy in the world, surpassing the US Navy.

How many Type 45 destroyers does the UK have?

A total of 6 (six) Type 45 Destroyers. Britain's six Type 45 Destroyers are among the most advanced warships ever built.

What ships are part of the 7th Fleet?

U.S. Fleet Activities Sasebo, Japan, some ships in fleet:

USS America (LHA-6)

USS Green Bay (LPD-20)

USS New Orleans (LPD-18)

USS Germantown (LSD-42)

USS Ashland (LSD-48)

USS Patriot (MCM-7)

USS Pioneer (MCM-9)

USS Warrior (MCM-10)

What is the flagship of the 7th Fleet?

Blue Ridge. As the flagship for Commander, U.S. 7th Fleet, Blue Ridge is vital in maintaining partnerships in the 7th Fleet area of operations. 7th Fleet Flagship Strengthens Partnerships Throughout Indo-Pacific.

Where is the 6th Fleet?

U.S. 6th Fleet, headquartered in Naples, Italy, conducts the full spectrum of joint and naval operations, often in concert with allied and interagency partners, in order to advance U.S. national interests and security and stability in Europe and Africa.

How many ships are in the 7th Fleet?

70-80 ships. Mission: The U.S. 7th Fleet (C7F) operates in the largest of the U.S. Navy's numbered fleets. At any given time there are 70-80 ships and submarines, 140 aircraft and approximately 40,000 Sailors and Marines in region.

What is the difference between satellite and terrestrial AIS monitoring?

The best 24/7 AIS coverage comes from terrestrial AIS receivers and is based on their radio line of sight. This, in turn, is dependent on both the height of the transmitting and receiving AIS aerials but typically extends out to around 30 nautical miles for larger vessels. Beyond this range, a weather-based phenomenon known as tropospheric ducting often provides enhanced reception thereby extending coverage by 10's or even sometimes 100's of miles. This effect is however highly directional, variable in strength and seasonal being more prevalent in warmer weather, it, therefore, cannot be relied on alone. For areas outside the coverage of terrestrial land-based antennas most AIS monitoring is provided by satellite-based AIS receivers which cover the whole globe from pole to pole, this provides in general excellent coverage for vessels in mid ocean, and the southern hemisphere in general.