Definitions & Abbreviations

AIS: Automatic Identification System (AIS) is an automatic tracking system used on ships and by vessel traffic services for identifying and locating vessels by electronically exchanging data with other nearby ships, AIS base stations, and satellites

ARPA: Automatic radar plotting aid (ARPA) is a capability of a marine radar that can create tracks using radar contacts

AtoN: Aid to Navigation (ATON) is any sort of marker which aids the traveler in navigation;

DGPS: Differential GPS (DGPS) is a land-based technology that works to improve the accuracy of GPS navigation.

DSC: Digital Selective Calling (DSC) is core part of GMDSS, a standard for sending pre-defined digital messages via the medium frequency (MF), high frequency (HF) and very high frequency (VHF) maritime radio systems.

EIRP: Effective isotropic radiated power means the amount of power that a theoretical isotropic antenna would emit to produce the peak power density observed in the direction of maximum antenna gain.

EPIRB: EPIRB (Emergency Position-Indicating Radio Beacon) is a tracking transmitter which aid in the detection and location of boats, aircraft, and people in distress.