January 6, 2008:
The U.S. Coast Guard
is putting a ship-tracking satellite into orbit. The satellite will collect signals
from the AIS (Automatic Identification System) transmitters that all large
ships are required to carry in order to qualify for insurance. The data will be
passed on to coast guard shore stations and ships, making it easier for these
large ships to be tracked. Shipping companies already use this technology, and
the coast guard can get the information from those firms. But by having their
own satellite, access is quicker and more certain. The U.S. Navy already uses
the AIS monitoring system. Naturally, smaller, uninsured ships do not carry
AIS, and are more likely to be carrying illegal cargo.