---
kind: "section"
citation: "33 C.F.R. § 401.20"
title: "33"
number: "401.20"
heading: "Automatic Identification System."
url: "https://uscodex.org/cfr/33/401.20"
---

# §401.20. Automatic Identification System.

- (a) Each of the following vessels must use an Automatic Identification System (AIS) transponder to transit the Seaway:
  - (1) Each commercial vessel that requires pre-clearance in accordance with [§ 401.22](/cfr/33/401.22.md) and has a 300 gross tonnage or greater, has a Length Over All (LOA) over 20 meters, or carries more than 50 passengers for hire; and
  - (2) Each dredge, floating plant or towing vessel over 8 meters in length, except only each lead unit of combined and multiple units (tugs and tows).
- (b) Each vessel listed in [paragraph (a)](#a) of this section must meet the following requirements to transit the Seaway:
  - (1) International Maritime Organization (IMO) Resolution MSC.74(69), Annex 3, Recommendation on Performance Standards for a Universal Shipborne AIS, as amended;
  - (2) International Telecommunication Union, ITU-R Recommendation M.1371-5: 2014, Technical Characteristics For A Universal Shipborne AIS Using Time Division Multiple Access In The VHF Maritime Mobile Band, as amended;
  - (3) International Electrotechnical Commission, IEC 61993-2 Ed.3, Maritime Navigation and Radio Communication Equipment and Systems—AIS—[Part 2](/cfr/33/part2.md): Class A Shipborne Equipment of the Universal AIS—Operational and Performance Requirements, Methods of Test and Required Test Results, as amended;
  - (4) International Maritime Organization (IMO) Guidelines for Installation of Shipborne Automatic Identification System (AIS), NAV 48/18, 6 January 2003, as amended, and, for ocean vessels only, with a pilot plug, as specified in [Section 3.2](/cfr/33/3.2.md) of those Guidelines, installed close to the primary conning position in the navigation bridge and a power source accessible for the pilot's laptop computer; and
  - (5) The Minimum Keyboard Display (MKD) shall be located as close as possible to the primary conning position and be visible;
  - (6) Computation of AIS position reports using a Satellite Based Augmentation System (SBAS); or
  - (7) The use of a temporary unit meeting the requirements of [subparagraphs (b)(1) through (6)](#b-1..b-6) of this section is permissible; or
  - (8) For each vessel with LOA less than 30 meters, the use of portable AIS compatible with the requirements of [subparagraphs (b)(1) through (3)](#b-1..b-3) and subparagraphs [(5)](#b-5) and [(6)](#b-6) of this section is permissible.

## Notes

### Amendments

[68 FR 9551, Feb. 28, 2003; 68 FR 11974, Mar. 13, 2003, as amended at 70 FR 12972, Mar. 17, 2005; 86 FR 15412, Mar. 23, 2021; 87 FR 12591, Mar. 7, 2022; 88 FR 14267, Mar. 8, 2023; 89 FR 15961, Mar. 6, 2024]

### Authority

Authority: 33 U.S.C. 983(a) and 984(a)(4), as amended; 49 CFR 1.101, unless otherwise noted.

### Source

Source: 39 FR 10900, Mar. 22, 1974, unless otherwise noted.

### Amendments

[68 FR 9551, Feb. 28, 2003; 68 FR 11974, Mar. 13, 2003, as amended at 70 FR 12972, Mar. 17, 2005; 86 FR 15412, Mar. 23, 2021; 87 FR 12591, Mar. 7, 2022; 88 FR 14267, Mar. 8, 2023; 89 FR 15961, Mar. 6, 2024]