AIS and Boat Security

M

mailbox101

New member
For security reasons, I've always been a bit guarded about revealing the actual marina that I berth at to strangers; merely politely giving a general reply of "San Francisco", when queried.

Likewise, when posting about our cruises I usually use generalities, like "We arrived at Santa Barbara today.", rather then posting the exact marina, pier and slip.

Recently I Googled my boat registration number, and there, for the whole world to see, was most of my FCC information, including the Call Sign and MMSI.

A quick search of those numbers reveals many pages of websites that track AIS signals, with very specific information about our travels, including current and historical locations.

This appears to be a gaping wide security hole, and I was wondering if anyone has heard of it being a practical issue, or if it is just hypothetical at this time.

Also, does this situation holds true for those that have registered their radio equipment through BoatUS?

David
 
Registering your radio to get an MMSI does not equate to your radio broadcasting the MMSI number. Unless you use digital selective calling (DSC) - e.g. you are calling another boat via the DSC mode OR you have triggered the emergency call. Similarly, if you have an AIS equipped radio, you may or may not broadcast your AIS signal. For example, the Horizon Matrix 2100 or 2150 radios, are only AIS receivers but are not transmitters.
 
But you have the town you live near on your transom. I could go there and ask about you someone would tell me where you live. Then what?

signed,
John Doe
 
Just googled mine, but no results. Don't have the home port listed on my boat, nor do I post on facebook when I'm gone or where I'm going, until I've already been and am back! ;-) But I suppose like everything else that is publicly listed and available about us, it's only a matter of time before the boat name and registration is picked up....
 
If you have a Class A AIS transmitter, it is pretty likely you will be picked up by many of those AIS monitoring sites. With Class B, probably a little less likely since the power and range is slightly less, but they do show up. If you have a receive only, there is no risk.

As for criminals using the information where your boat is, or that you are aware from home...I have never been worried about where my boat is currently as a risk of robbery or piracy. I have had several encounters with thief's' in San Diego, S. Boston, Yugoslavia, Mexico, Bequia, Panama, Honduras and Greece. None of these were related to any internet postings. The thief saw a boat and decided to rob it. In most cases they retreated rapidly when confronted by an armed owner or dogs. The one case where a new inflatable and 25 hp outboard were stolen were partly my fault, because the inflatable was new, and I had not secured the cable thru the motor and transom of the inflatable...that might have prevented the thief. (the 3/16 SS cable was only thru the bow eye, and the fabric which held the bow eye in place was cut from in the water.)

I do leave my home un-ocupied for months at a time. Although I have some concern about "advertising" that I am away by posting on C brats, I have heavy security precautions, and neighbors who watch the house carefully. I doubt that any burglar would choose a home or boat based on information from the C Brat web site.
 
Could such information be used to, say, determine if you are out of town and thus your home may be empty & open to burglary? Sure. Nothing...NOTHING surprises me anymore. Technology is a double-edged sword and criminals are getting smart (not all of them). That said, the odds are pretty slim IMO but I never say never.
 
Rum running is so much more complicated than it used to be. Worst part is that after painting my Cdory all flat black, now I'm being tracked from space. :mrgreen:
 
Will-C":jj1m4bs6 said:
But you have the town you live near on your transom. I could go there and ask about you someone would tell me where you live. Then what?
Click to expand...

I think there is a difference though. To do that, you (or someone else with bad intentions) would have to actually GO to the town and ask around. Sure, it could happen.

However, when computerized data or databases can be accessed at the flip of an electron, from afar, and millions of bits of information can be "tirelessly" searched by computers who do not get bored or frustrated, but simply spit out the data.... I think it's different.

For example, say I want to find someone's social-security number in order to steal an identity. If I have to go looking in the streets that's one thing. If I can (from anywhere) set up a computer to comb for numbers in the form of xxx-xx-xxxx, and concurrent with the word "social" or "security," and then I just wait for the results.....

I don't mean to say whether or not anyone should be aware, concerned, or "paranoid" -- that's for each person to decide for themselves -- I'm just trying to say how I see a difference when something is searchable by computer vs. a person having to use "shoe leather."
 
Captains Cat":22xbux13 said:
Or, just be a live aboard with room mates...


SMITH AND WESSON ! :roll: :thup :roll:

Charlie
Click to expand...

Hey Charlie, WE must be neighbors, 'cause your roommates are my neighbors. :wink: :twisted:

Harvey
SleepyC:moon
 
Actually, mine are Remington & Taurus but Smith & Wesson just sounds better! Currently wrestling with the non reciprocity issues between VA (my cc permit) and Maine where I am for two months with one of those buddies.

Charlie
 
David....That's why I buy insurance...I refuse to be afraid of the criminal element.... I can defend myself well and my insurance coverage can replace anything lost...nothing is that important to spend good time worrying about it.... Go, Enjoy and let others worry....

Joel
SEA3PO
 
Was only asking this if anyone has heard of this being a practical issue, or if it is only hypothetical, and the answer appears to be the latter.
To answer a couple of the questions though:

Registering your radio to get an MMSI does not equate to your radio broadcasting the MMSI number.
Click to expand...
AIS continuously broadcasts the MMSI number.

We are registered, not documented, so the home port is not painted on the hull.

David
 
mailbox101":2lja9a36 said:
Was only asking this if anyone has heard of this being a practical issue, or if it is only hypothetical, and the answer appears to be the latter.
To answer a couple of the questions though:

Registering your radio to get an MMSI does not equate to your radio broadcasting the MMSI number.
Click to expand...
AIS continuously broadcasts the MMSI number.

We are registered, not documented, so the home port is not painted on the hull.

David
Click to expand...
David - what kind of AIS do you have? If you buy an AIS receiver, like the Std. Horizon GX2150 it's only receives. This gives you many of the benefits of AIS (e.g. you see the big guys on your chart plotter) without broadcasting your MMSI. Even with a class B AIS, many allow you to control whether you are transmitting or not - e.g. you can turn the transmit feature on when you want it for your safety and off when you want it for security. This is quite common as there are times and places (e.g. off the coast of Somalia) when one doesn't want to transmit AIS.
 
Not to put an "age in years" on any of us, but as I spend pastoral time with those of all ages I see a great difference between those who are a bit younger and those who are showing some gray at the temples. Experience, the blessings of having worked hard and saved, and perhaps, just the way we see things over time. We are of the "take reasonable precautions and buy good insurance school" but we also have some of the same roommates as many of you but live in Kalifornia and so do not always have a friend at hand. I had to wrestle with Google Maps to show our house in the right location and our email signature has a link to our Google Maps Satellite photo and you can see the trash bags of weeds waiting for pickup if you use Street View. When we finally get a boat and "Brat About" with you all, we will be more careful than normal so as to not offend!
Bob and Kyung Jarrard
 
My reply about the name on the rear of the hull was for a Denny-O a previous poster who I was poking a little fun with. Sorry if anyone missed it. I don't think anyone should have been offended. It does not matter to me if folks want to keep their cards close to the vest. I have gray on my temples but I still like to laugh.
D.D.
 
One of many reasons why I come on this forum is the lack of offending posts, all of us who visit other sites see the damage. I like the fact that we can poke a bit of fun at each other from time to time and no one gets bent. Every firm position or absolute statement will gather a bit of flack, just the way it goes with people who think and have opinions of their own. I like those kind of people. Look how open Capn Jim and the Blonde are about their lives - just one way of living and not for all but I for one am glad to follow their blog posts - they pack more in a week than I do in a year. As I get older, I am getting harder to insult; poor hearing and I cannot remember what ticked me off in the beginning! Have a great day C-Brats!
Bob Jarrard
 
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