What are all navigational statuses available on an Inland AIS device?

The navigation status - as part of mandatory data element - must always be up to date, according to article 4.07 (2) of the Rhine Police Regulations.

The navigational status set in the Inland AIS device shall represent the current status of a navigation of a vessel. Frequently used navigational status are “under way using engine (no. 0)”, “moored (no. 5)” or “at anchor (no.1)”. The navigation statuses “restricted manoeuvrability” and “constrained by draught” are used when those specific navigation situations are met. Other navigational statuses are not used in inland navigation but are commonly known in maritime navigation.

The navigational status is sent to other vessels but has also influence on the reporting interval of your own AIS device. That’s why the navigational status needs to be kept up to date all the time.

The transmission interval with navigational status set to “moored (no. 5)” and “at anchor (no. 1)” is 3 minutes but with navigational status set to “under way using engine (no.0)” it is 10 seconds.

Code	Description
0	under way using engine
1	at anchor
2	not under command
3	restricted manoeuvrability
4	constrained by her draught
5	moored
6	aground
7	engaged in fishing
8	under way sailing
9	reserved for future uses
10	reserved for future uses
11	reserved for future uses
12	reserved for future uses
13	reserved for future uses
14	AIS-SART (active)
15	Not defined (also used by AIS SART under test)

Can the navigational status be automatically set on the Inland AIS device?

Keeping the navigational status always up to date is a kind of cumbersome. That’s why some Inland ECDIS devices support the setting of the navigational status by a special reminder which appears on the Inland ECDIS screen when the navigational status needs to be changed potentially with an automatic setting as well. However, the boatmaster needs to check the proposed setting of the navigational status anyway, a navigational status “moored” instead of “under way using engine” makes a difference eventually.

The responsibility of the boatmaster is to ensure that the Inland AIS device transmits up to date navigational status.