Courtesy: MSN Philippines
Dalangin-Fernandez, Lira – 31 January 2019
Significant number of Chinese fishing vessels were seen roaming around the disputed South China Sea, not to catch fishes but to allegedly serve as an additional militia force on behalf of its state in the resource-rich sea, a Washington-based think-tank said.
Continue reading Chinese fishing vessels serve as maritime militias in South China Sea —US think-tank
December 27, 2018 by Laura Kovary
Photo credit: Shutterstock/High Voltage
There are limitations with equipment which precipitate this issue; however, the major concern is with the lack of international laws to prohibit the use of AIS transponders. The IMO needs to take a stand on this issue and prohibit the use of AIS on anything other than a vessel. One solution could be designating AIS symbols for vessels and others for fishing nets, buoys, and other gear such as long lines, hydrographic survey or dredge equipment. This would allow the prudent mariner to differentiate between ships and other floating gear allowing for a reasonable assessment of a close quarters situation.
