What frequency can the AIS update its reports?

The Automatic Identification System (AIS) is designed to improve maritime safety by enabling vessels to exchange information about their position, course, speed, and other navigational data. One of its key features is the ability to update these reports frequently to ensure that all vessels have the most current situational awareness.

The AIS can send updates as frequently as every two seconds for vessels that are traveling at speeds of 14 knots or higher. This rapid update rate ensures that as vessels move through crowded or complex waterways, nearby vessels receive timely information about their positions and movements, which is crucial for collision avoidance and navigation.

In maritime environments where conditions can change quickly, this two-second update frequency is particularly beneficial for maintaining safety and enhancing coordination among vessels. As vessels slow down or enter different operating conditions, this interval may adjust, but the capability for quick updates is intrinsic to the design and purpose of AIS.