What are Channels for AIS ?

At the ITU World Radio communication Conference (WRC) in Geneva during October/November 1997, IMO requested that two maritime VHF channels be assigned for AIS. These were designated and a footnote was added to Appendix S18 of the ITU Radio Regulations titled “Table of Transmitting Frequencies in the VHF Maritime Mobile Band” as follows:-

“These channels (AIS 1 and AIS 2) will be used for an automatic ship identification and surveillance system capable of providing worldwide operation on high seas, unless other frequencies are designated on a regional basis for this purpose”

The channels allocated are:

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