AIS Aids to Navigation

An AIS aid to navigation (ATON) is any kind of navigational aid that is transmitted over the AIS radio. ATONs are displayed on the charts and have identifying information, such as position and type.

There are three main kinds of AIS ATONs. Real ATONs physically exist and send their identifying and location information from their actual location. Synthetic ATONs physically exist, and their identifying and location information is sent from another location. Virtual ATONs do not actually exist, and their identifying and location information is sent from another location.

You can view AIS ATONs on the chart when the chartplotter is connected to a compatible AIS radio. To show AIS ATONs, from a chart, select Menu > Layers > Chart > Navaid > ATONs. You can view more information about an ATON if you select the ATON on the chart.

Symbol

Meaning

Real or synthetic ATON

Real or synthetic ATON: Topmark North

Real or synthetic ATON: Topmark South

Real or synthetic ATON: Topmark East

Real or synthetic ATON: Topmark West

Real or synthetic ATON: Topmark Special

Real or synthetic ATON: Topmark Safe

Real or synthetic ATON: Topmark Danger

Virtual ATON

Virtual ATON: Topmark North

Virtual ATON: Topmark South

Virtual ATON: Topmark East

Virtual ATON: Topmark West

Virtual ATON: Topmark Special

Virtual ATON: Topmark Safe

Virtual ATON: Topmark Danger

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January 2024