Our AIS info overlays our chart plotter, along with the radar. It's saved us some anxiety twice. The first time was on the ICW just north of Beaufort, NC. It was foggy. Our AIS showed a tug approaching around a bend in the river, something our radar wouldn't show us. We moved over to the inside of the bend, giving the tug and barge plenty of room to pass. The second time was leaving Beaufort in pea soup fog. We were slowly moving from buoy to buoy when a tug came on the VHF to announce he was backing out of the terminal. What terminal? The radar had hits all around us, from boats to buoys to bridges and buildings. But there he was on AIS, next to a bridge.

I think AIS is as valuable as any other piece of electronics on a boat. As much as I like seeing other traffic, I'm guessing they like seeing me too, and like knowing my course and speed. I think it's especially valuable when you're traveling in unfamiliar waters, as we are.

And we are. As soon as we get our Whaler back with its new 50 HP Johnson, we're leaving Brunswick GA and headed to Cumberland Island, and then the St. Johns River. Hopefully tomorrow.