Garmin Expands Boater Warning Capabilities With New AIS Warning Messaging Feature
- By FTR Industry Wire
- April 4, 2025
Latest software update enables boaters to receive certain object detection alerts and notifications on Garmin chartplotters.
OLATHE, Kan. — Garmin (NYSE: GRMN), the world’s largest marine electronics manufacturer1, today announced a software update for select GPSMAP® and ECHOMAP™ chartplotters that includes a new AIS (Automatic Identification System) warning messaging feature designed to increase situational awareness and help reduce the risk of collisions on the water.
AIS is primarily used in recreational boating to provide real-time information about the position, speed and heading of other AIS-equipped vessels in a boater’s vicinity. When connected to a Garmin chartplotter, AIS targets can be displayed as a layer on top of the live chart or radar display allowing captains to clearly see the movements of each other’s vessels.
Thanks to this free software update, Garmin chartplotters will now also display addressed and broadcast warning messages (AIS Message types 12 and 14) from a connected AIS-capable device, in addition to collision avoidance alerts. These messages are generated and used by third-party licensed AIS broadcasters to send text messages that will appear onscreen to alert boaters who are within range of potential safety hazards, including certain floating objects, as well as when nearing or entering North Atlantic right whale seasonal and dynamic management areas.
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