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control and elec- tronic unit plus a junction box for cable connec- tions, the device offers two anten- na options — either a compact combined VHF/GPS antenna solution — or the use of separate GPS and VHF antennas. In standard configuration, the incoming AIS information will be presented at a six-line data display with further possibilities for scrolling and Graphic Mode Presentation. When integrated with com- patible Radar and/or ECDIS equipment, the relevant information from AIS targets is transferred to this equip- ment, thus helping the navigator to centralize informa- tion. The company has also completed the development, as well as internal and external testing, of the new VDR type VR-5000. Circle 60 on Reader Service Card Sailor UAIS1900 and KDU1905 Gain "Wheel" of Approval SAILOR UAIS1900 is an advanced integrated system with a 12-channel GPS and built-in VHF. To format the system so that it is operational, only a display system, such as the new KDU1905, a VHF antenna, a GPS anten- na and power are needed. The new Keyboard Display Unit KDU 1905 has a graphical display and the targets are either presented graphically or listed alphanumerically. The KDU 1905 is easy to use, with large buttons and comes with a large 40 x 24 lines backlit display. It fulfils the IMO requirements of a mandatory control and display unit, and will often be used in com- bination with more advanced display systems already installed on board the vessel. Circle 68 on Reader Service Card SKANTI UAIS Is Proven Concept Since the introduction of the SKANTI UAIS 2100 in January 2003, the system has proven to meet the market demand and has thus been sold in large quantities — and delivered world-wide. The SKANTI UAIS 2100 is fully functional by just connecting it to a display system, a VHF and a GPS antenna and power. Its main features include: Wheelmark approval, built in 12-chan- nel GPS and VHF, compact design, flexible installation with just a few external connections, and water-resist- ance to IP66. Circle 69 on Reader Service Card Northrop Grumman Bridgemaster E Is Type Approved Northrop Grumman Corporation's Sperry Marine busi- ness unit's Decca BridgeMaster E marine radars have been type accepted by QinetiQ for display of Automatic Identification System (AIS) data in accordance with the technical provisions of the International Maritime Organization Circular SN/Circ. 217. The BridgeMaster E radar processes data from the AIS and automatically displays the AIS tar- gets, which are shown graphically within the radar circle in accor- dance with I MO-prescribed sym- bology. The navigator can view additional information about a selected AIS target in a separate target tote win- dow. Any displayed AIS targets infringing the defined CPA/TCPA limits or entering a guard zone will raise an alarm to alert the watchkeeper. Circle 72 on Reader Service Card Kelvin Hughes is IMO Compliant Kelvin Hughes Limited, part of Smiths Marine Systems, now offers all of its Radar, ECDIS and VDR systems with full Automatic Identification System (AIS) interface capability. From July 1, 2002 the IMO, under the SOLAS Chapter V Convention, initiated the require- ment for ships to carry AIS, by 2008 it will be mandato- ry for all vessels greater than 300 gt. Circle 74 on Reader Service Card McMurdo Commences New UAIS Training Technical training courses covering all areas of instal- lation and commissioning of Class A Universal Automatic Identification System (UAIS), are now avail- able through Portsmouth, U.K.-based manufacturer McMurdo. The company has introduced the first of a new series of courses, designed to aid distributors, agents and installers in becoming fully qualified in both the the- oretical and hands-on knowledge required to install, service and commission UAIS equipment. Circle 180 on Reader Service Card U.S., Canadian Seaway Corporations Open Waterway to Mandatory AIS The U.S. Department of Transportation's Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation (SLSDC) and the Canadian St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation (SLSMC) opened the binational waterway's 45th navigation season on March 31, 2003. This season also marks the inauguration of mandatory Automatic Identification System (AIS) use on commercial vessels entering waterway in North America to employ this tech- nology as a requirement for transit. Panama Canal Issues AIS Advisory The Panama Canal Authority issued a maritime advi- sory stating that, effective July 1, 2003, vessels over 300 gt or measure 66 ft. (20 m) overall, must be equipped with an Automatic Identification System (AIS) transpon- der that meets IMO standards. Until January 1, 2005, when the AIS requirement comes fully into effect, portable AIS units may be rented from the Canal Authority. Owners and operators are reminded of the requirement for installation of a Pilot Plug and power source for AIS use by the Canal pilot. Furthermore, the ECDIS allows target identification not only via AIS. For instance, the Navi-Sailor 3000 system has three layers of targets on display. These are targets from the ARPA connected to the ECDIS, (targets from the digital radar board (Radar Integrator)), which process tar- gets from both the radar scanner and the AIS. All three tar- get layers can be turned on simultaneously and plotted on the electronic chart. If a navigator acquires an important ARPA target by the range and bearing, with the use of ECDIS, it will be a matter of seconds to identify this target and obtain all the necessary identification information — if this target has an AIS system on board. The identification data does not only include the ship identifiers, but also the ship type, dangerous cargo type, port of destination and time of arrival, and motion status. With regard to the motion status, it is worthwhile to add that in the conditions of limited visibility when the ship lights with "Not under command" status cannot be seen, time identification of such target on the ECDIS screen is essential in the analysis of the navigational situation. In this respect, the AIS-ECDIS integration offers unlimit- ed possibilities. It is believed, but not confirmed, that the VTS services of the U.S. and Canada engaged in the ship pilotage in the Great Lakes (Seaway Authorities) were the first to achieve success in this. Without coming into con- flict with the international AIS standards, these services transmit information on the lock passage schedules, weather information and water level data in the reference points to the ships via an AIS system. The entire data flow is promptly shown on the ECDIS electronic chart of the ships in this area, allowing navigators to make immediate use of it. This has only been a short part of the long list of advanced principal capabilities that become available to navigators and shipmasters with an integrated AIS-ECDIS system. But even these capabilities are sufficient for shipowners to start to seriously consider interfacing their mandatory AIS transponders with still optional (but extremely powerful!) ECDIS equipment. Monitoring of the Ship Traffic Advantages inherent in the use of AIS systems as a tool for VTS and pilot services are clear and concise. In this case, port services have the capability to provide timely and efficient monitoring of the ship traffic flow in the waters under their responsibility. Prompt ship identifica- tion by MMSI number, Call Sign or name, as well as fast search in the target ship list, have been made possible owing to the AIS. Availability of DGPS systems built into the AIS allows sufficiently high accuracy detection of tar- gets (up to 10 m). Provided the data on their dimensions is available, targets can be plotted with an utmost accu- racy on an electronic chart in the port office's stationary ECDIS or ECS. The drawing below shows two targets obtained by the AIS system connected to the Navi-Sailor 3000 electronic chart system from Transas marine. It can be immediately seen how accurately the ships are pre- sented: along the berth and entering the lock. In addition to the GMDSS equipment, AIS allows such communication to be established in a rapid fashion. If inadequate under- standing in the voice communication between the VTS operator and watch officer should occur, or if there is some noise in the VHF radio station, the AIS allows the communication to be established in the shortest possible time. An accurate exchange can be made (in English), by using the message exchange system similar to one that is used by the SMS or paging communication in every-day life. With an adequate user-friendly interface of ECDIS or ECS, the navigator can be involved in such communica- tion, at the same time constantly monitoring the progress of own ship and targets on the electronic chart, which is beneficial for safe navigation. 48 Maritime Reporter & Engineering News
