AIS vessel identity is used to help a bridge team identify and track an equipped target. AIS can associate a name, call sign, ship type and navigational status with that target. AIS static identity information includes the MMSI, call sign and vessel name, IMO number, vessel dimensions and ship type.
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 within its own coverage.
Invalid or duplicate MMSIs can produce misleading target association, including a display that appears to show one vessel jumping between positions.
