FYI: Here's a press release that crossed my desk last week. Listees might find it of interest. I indicate no endorsement by posting it here, nor do I have any financial interest in the product. The information is being presented strictly FYI. --Georgs ACR Introduces Nauticast
B AIS System Now Available in 11 Countries--but not yet U.S. ACR Electronics, the world's best known name in marine safety and survival electronics, has introduced the Nauticast
B, a Class B Automatic Identification System (AIS) transmit-and-receive transponder designed for recreational and small commercial crafts. ACR Electronics, known primarily for its high-tech EPIRBs, Personal Locator Beacons and an assortment of emergency strobes and lights, has received approvals to sell the Nauticast
B AIS in the following countries: Belgium, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Norway, Poland, Spain, Turkey and the United Kingdom. FCC approvals as well as other international approvals are pending. The Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price is $1,180 US. ACR's Nauticast
B AIS not only will transmit vessel information to surrounding traffic, but also allows the user to participate with neighboring vessels to avoid collisions. An easy to install AIS solution with a data power cable and VHF and GPS antennas, Nauticast
B allows users to announce identity, position, speed and course over ground to oncoming traffic-a major safety advantage especially effective in low visibility conditions. The Nauticast
B AIS RS232 and RS422 NMEA electrical interface communicate data directly through the users' chart plotter or laptop. USB adapters are available for laptop operators. The RS422 can interface with a NMEA multiplexer so AIS targets can be displayed on various manufacturer chart plotters. The Nauticast
B AIS also features a remote Safety Related Message (SRM) send button that saves the precise coordinates of an emergency incident and immediately generates a safety distress message to surrounding vessels. The SRM can be configured to allow users to operate in a stealth mode by only receiving AIS data and not sharing for added security to avoid being noticed by pirating vessels. The VHF band antenna, included with the Nauticast
B AIS, is factory-tuned to optimize receive-and-send frequency ranges. Fifteen feet of cable and a PL259 connectors are included. Contained within a sturdy, water-resistant translucent case, the unit is compact at 7.8" (D) x 6.2" (W) and only 1.84" (H). Lightweight at just 13 oz, the unit won't take up much space mounted under the dash. The Class B transponder standard was developed and recently finalized to create an AIS transponder for use aboard vessels not required to install an AIS system to meet IMO regulations for larger commercial crafts. The concept of Class B was to create a lower cost, smaller and more easily installed transponder for use on vessels where external heading, rate-of-turn and other sensors are not needed or required. Class B transponders are compatible with the AIS network without interfering with the operation of Class A transponders on large commercial vessels. ACR already markets two Nauticast A transponders, the Nauticast
UAIS, an Automatic Identification System (AIS) transponder designed for all Class A commercial vessels and the Nauticast2
AIS, a transponder designed for all non-SOLAS commercial vessels. AIS, mandated by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) for both SOLAS and non-SOLAS vessels, is a VHF-based, two-way transponder operating much like an air-traffic control system for port authorities and ships. Considered the cornerstone of the Maritime Transportation Security Act (MTSA) of 2002, AIS in U.S. waters, for example, will allow the Coast Guard to communicate with and track both foreign and domestic vessels as part of the Vessel Tracking System (VTS). ACR Electronics, Inc., (http://www.acrelectronics.com) part of Cobham's Avionics and Surveillance Division headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, designs and manufactures a complete line of safety and survival products including EPIRBs, PLBs, AIS, SARTs and safety accessories. The quality systems of this facility have been registered by UL to the ISO 9001:2000 Series Standards. Recognized as the world leader in safety and survival technologies, ACR has provided safety equipment to the aviation and marine industries as well as to the military since 1956. --30-- Note to Editors: This device has not been authorized as required by the rules of the FCC. This device is not and may not be offered for sale or lease in the U.S., or sold or leased, until authorization is obtained. For product image contact John Bell at prseitz@bellsouth.net.