Garmin expands boater warning capabilities with new AIS warning messaging feature

OLATHE, Kan./April 3, 2025 — Garmin (NYSE: GRMN), the world’s largest marine electronics manufacturer¹, today announced a software update for select GPSMAP^® and ECHOMAP^™ chartplotters that includes a new AIS (Automatic Identification System) warning messaging feature designed to increase situational awareness and help reduce the risk of collisions on the water.

AIS is primarily used in recreational boating to provide real-time information about the position, speed and heading of other AIS-equipped vessels in a boater’s vicinity. When connected to a Garmin chartplotter, AIS targets can be displayed as a layer on top of the live chart or radar display allowing captains to clearly see the movements of each other’s vessels.

Thanks to this free software update, Garmin chartplotters will now also display addressed and broadcast warning messages (AIS Message types 12 and 14) from a connected AIS-capable device, in addition to collision avoidance alerts. These messages are generated and used by third-party licensed AIS broadcasters to send text messages that will appear onscreen to alert boaters who are within range of potential safety hazards, including certain floating objects, as well as when nearing or entering North Atlantic right whale seasonal and dynamic management areas.

The new AIS warnings for object detection are available for the following Garmin chartplotters: GPSMAP 9000, 9500, 8600, 8600xsv, 8700, 7×3/9×3/12×3/16×3 and 10×2/12×2 series, along with the ECHOMAP Ultra 2 and UHD2 touchscreen series. An AIS-capable device – like the Garmin AIS^™ 800 transceiver, VHF 215 AIS marine radio or Cortex^® V1– is also required.

The feature is included in the Q2 2025 marine software update, which is available now as a free download from the ActiveCaptain^® mobile app or from a computer via Garmin Express^™. Visit Garmin’s marine device software update page for a comprehensive list of features included in the latest update.  

Engineered on the inside for life on the outside, Garmin products have revolutionized life for anglers, sailors, mariners and boat enthusiasts everywhere. Committed to developing the most innovative, highest quality, and easiest to use marine electronics the industry has ever known, Garmin believes every day is an opportunity to innovate and a chance to beat yesterday. For the tenth consecutive year, Garmin was named the Manufacturer of the Year by the National Marine Electronics Association (NMEA). Visit the Garmin Newsroom, email our media team, connect with @garminmarine on social, or follow the Garmin blog.  

¹Based on 2024 sales.

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