Ben Ellison over at Panbo takes issue with my recent article on AIS.

Here’s what I have to say to Ben:

“I don’t care what you say about me, just make sure you spell the URLs right!” 

Seriously, though, I respect Ben and his opinion. I love AIS, and I like carrying Class B. In another year or two, I wouldn’t be surprised if the Class B “transmit” functionality actually generated some kind of value or utility for me. I haven’t observed any so far. As Ben says, “Besides, we’re in transition.”

Exactly.

I stand by my comments TODAY, based on my experience cruising up and down the Salish Sea this summer. VERY FEW yacht are carrying Class A or Class B units, and they are the only ones in a position to make use of the data I’m currently broadcasting.

But I think that Ben and I are on the same side, when it comes right down to it. If I can convince some boaters to install AIS receivers, by luring them in with promises that it can be cheap and easy (it can!), the benefits they enjoy from having the AIS data available will convince some of them to go ahead and install Class B units down the road.