AIS vessel identity suffers from configuration dependency, data staleness, and the risk of invalid or duplicate MMSIs that mislead target association. These limitations mean displayed details are not independently measured facts but rather static inputs that require active management to remain accurate.
The static identity information includes MMSI, call sign and vessel name, IMO number, vessel dimensions and ship type. However, these fields are configured data rather than measurements made by a receiving station; relevant fields need amendment after identity or ownership changes. Without such updates, the data becomes stale and potentially incorrect for current operations.
Because the data is not independently verified at the source, own-ship transmitted identity can be checked through another vessel or shore station. The USCG describes a verification service that highlights certain static-data or encoding discrepancies in its own coverage, indicating that errors are common enough to warrant specific monitoring tools.
Invalid or duplicate MMSIs can produce misleading target association, including a display that appears to show one vessel jumping between positions. This occurs because the system links position data to an incorrect identity record. Users must understand that displayed AIS identity is not conclusive without independent corroboration.
