Does the installation of the AIS require additional equipment in order for the AIS to operate properly?
Maybe. Most AIS do not need additional equipment (sensors) in order to operate; a few however, do require interfacing with an external global navigation positioning device (e.g. dGPS, GPS, GLONASS) in order to accurately calculate and broadcast position, course, and speed–thus requiring this equipment to properly operate. Although not required for the operation of AIS, Chapter V, Regulation 19 of the Safety of Life at Sea Convention (SOLAS), as stated in 33 CFR 164.46(a)(2), does require certain vessels–those on international voyage–to also interface other onboard equipment (i.e. transmitting heading device, gyro, rate of turn indicator) to the AIS; domestic vessels, not on international voyage, are not currently required to do so, however are highly recommended to.
