Coastal Explorer AIS, plaudits!
How cool is that? In this cropped screen shot, Coastal Explorer is plotting a SAR aircraft that’s using the special AIS message discussed here the other day. Rosepoint’s Jeff Hummel, who sent the screen, says they’ve never actually seen message 9 data before, but this function was already built into CE, as are other obscure AIS and DSC capabilities. Jeff’s also proud that “Coastal Explorer works just fine on VISTA”, unlike the competition (and alma mater) he likes to tweak.
By the way, Rosepoint can see AIS targets cross country because they’ve got CE tapped into the IP feed of Shine Micro’s receiver network. Coincidentally I just learned more about this CE ability yesterday, even tried it, thanks to Penobscot Bay pilot Skip Strong, who’s responsible for the series of Shine Micro receivers that I’ve been enjoying via Shine’s public live AIS site. Strong is a big fan of AIS in general and this setup in particular, as he and his associates use it to avoid wasted time waiting offshore for a ship that’s forgotten to call in late. The CE screen below, bigger here, shows the Penobscot Pilot which may have just put Strong aboard the Alouette Arrow (off screen). I’ll have more one day on this gentleman, and also on a trip aboard the pilot boat which I’m looking forward to, big time.
BIG DEAL! I'm sure Mr. Hummel wants us to be enamored with seeing an SAR aircraft on Rosepoint. REALLY, how is this useful to safe navigation?
Ben, it's disappointing you didn't check with other manufacturers to find out if their software was Vista compatible or would be soon, before posting this.
If Mr. Hummel wants to impress us, maybe he can show you a chart correction he's done using a Notice to Mariners or show you how to tie a carrick bend. Now that would be astounding!
Keep us posted.
Jean