AIS navigational status
AIS navigational status 9: Reserved for future amendment (HSC)
Reserved — linked to high-speed craft carrying dangerous goods. What status 9 means, what speed and track should go with it, and how often it is simply wrong.
What status 9 means
Reserved for future amendment of the navigational status. The standard notes it for high-speed craft carrying dangerous goods, harmful substances or marine pollutants.
What should go with it
High-speed craft typically run much faster than conventional ships.
Navigational status is entered by hand on the bridge; speed, course and position come from a satellite receiver. Read the status as testimony and the rest as measurement. Where they agree you have learned something. Where they disagree, the measurement is usually right.
How it goes wrong
Because it is reserved, equipment and authorities do not use it consistently. Read it as "an unusual status was set", not as a defined state.
All sixteen codes
| Code | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 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 amendment (HSC) |
| 10 | Reserved for future amendment (WIG) |
| 11 | Power-driven vessel towing astern |
| 12 | Power-driven vessel pushing ahead or towing alongside |
| 13 | Reserved for future use |
| 14 | AIS-SART, MOB-AIS or EPIRB-AIS active |
| 15 | Undefined (default) |
For the field as a whole — and how this site handles it — read AIS navigational status codes, all sixteen.