Section 6    Target Tracking and AIS  6-12 
 
6.3.4  About AIS AtoN (Aids to Navigation) 
AIS AtoN is a system that displaying aid to navigation like a lighthouse, light buoy or unreal aid to 
navigation on the display unit on ships using AIS receiver. 
There are following two kinds of AIS AtoN. 
 
AIS AtoN type  Function  Operation example 
Physical AIS 
AtoN 
Installs the AIS on real aid to 
navigation, and displays its location 
on the display unit on ships. 
In low visibility, receiving the Physical AIS 
AtoN symbols facilitates identification of 
the light location and light buoy. 
Virtual AIS AtoN  Displays virtual aid to navigation on 
the display unit on ships according 
to the signals transmitted from the 
AIS station on the land. 
In the sea area where installation of the 
light buoy is difficult, the Virtual AIS AtoN 
symbols are displayed as virtual light 
buoys that are used as targets for getting 
to the destination. 
This system can also be used as the aid 
substituted for the aid to navigation 
damaged by natural disasters. 
 
6.3.5 About AIS-SART Information 
The AIS-SART function enables information about the location of life raft or lifeboat on abandoning ship 
to be displayed on the screen. The location will show the position of potential survivors. 
For the details, refer to "7.6 Display of AIS-SART".