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AIS is the mariner\'s most significant development in navigation safety since the introduction of radar. The system was originally developed as a collision avoidance tool to enable commercial vessels to ‘see\' each other more clearly in all conditions and improve the helmsman\'s information about his surrounding environment. AIS does this by continuously transmitting a vessels identity, position, speed and course, along with other relevant information to all other AIS equipped vessels within range. Combined with a shore station, this system also offers port authorities and maritime safety bodies the ability to manage maritime traffic and reduce the hazards of marine navigation.