This raster dataset represents density of passenger vessel traffic in 2012 from vessels with Automatic Identification System (AIS) transponders in 100 meter grid cells. The dataset is best interpreted using a high to low density scale and does not represent actual vessel counts. in the Northeastern United States. AISs are a navigation safety device that transmits and monitors the location and characteristics of many vessels in U.S. and international waters in real-time. To support efforts for regional coastal and ocean planning by the Northeast Regional Ocean Council (NROC). U.S. Department of Commerce, U.S. National Ocean Service, and U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. (2011). North Atlantic Passenger AIS Vessel Density 2012. U.S. National Ocean Service. Available at: http://purl.stanford.edu/pb889jn7902. Not to be used for navigation This layer is presented in the WGS84 coordinate system for web display purposes. Downloadable data are provided in native coordinate system or projection.