Kannad Safelink Personal AIS

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catalac08

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Looking at the merits of this system compared to a conventional Epirb-it should certainly help in quicker location of a MOB and may be better than a conventional Epirb in many situations. My particular question is what sort of identification does the Emergency AIS transmission use and any general thoughts on the merits or not of these gadgets?
 
It transmits a unique ID number which is programmed by Kannad plus position, COG and SOG. It will appear on ships AIS systems and is therefore limited to VHF range, bearing in mind you will be low in the water. Range won't be great - the documentation says 4 nm. Depends where you sail.
 
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catalac08 said:
Looking at the merits of this system compared to a conventional Epirb-it should certainly help in quicker location of a MOB and may be better than a conventional Epirb in many situations. My particular question is what sort of identification does the Emergency AIS transmission use and any general thoughts on the merits or not of these gadgets?
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The AIS PLB sends a text type MOB message on AIS frequencies which is supposed to trigger an alarm in receiving stations. The identity is the Serial Number given to register it. There is no requirement to input MMSI numbers.
 
Bilgediver said:
The AIS PLB sends a text type MOB message on AIS frequencies which is supposed to trigger an alarm in receiving stations. The identity is the Serial Number given to register it. There is no requirement to input MMSI numbers.
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Thanks that is what I wanted to know-I did not realise there were other type of AIS messages apart from ship or fixed stations.
 
catalac08 said:
Thanks that is what I wanted to know-I did not realise there were other type of AIS messages apart from ship or fixed stations.
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There are a whole suite of text messages in the class A which can be used to select the required message something similar to designating an emergency in DSC. If you get hold of a manual for a type A AIS this is all covered. I might have one here so if not disturbed by reindeer on the roof I might be able to show it.
 
Worth noting that, while every plotter will display an icon, only the newest ones will mark it specially as a distress beacon. Many will simply display it as a ship. This is fine for MOB retrieval by the vessel the casualty fell off - its crew are actively looking and can pick out the right "ship" target and home in on it, even if the plotter knows nothing of SAR beacons. But it's not a good solution for broadcasting distress to other vessels or rescuers. Last I heard, even the Coastguard didn't have any alarm for SAR AIS beacons, though I admit that was a while ago and may have changed.

Pete
 
prv said:
Worth noting that, while every plotter will display an icon, only the newest ones will mark it specially as a distress beacon. Many will simply display it as a ship. This is fine for MOB retrieval by the vessel the casualty fell off - its crew are actively looking and can pick out the right "ship" target and home in on it, even if the plotter knows nothing of SAR beacons. But it's not a good solution for broadcasting distress to other vessels or rescuers. Last I heard, even the Coastguard didn't have any alarm for SAR AIS beacons, though I admit that was a while ago and may have changed.

Pete
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Sounds like a few folk will need software upgrades....There will be a few upgrades buzzing around for AIS VHF and other equipment as recent agreed changes are imlimented.

Our pilot boats here in the Forth have discovered their AIS do indicate an alarm condition.

Give it time:) Just look how long it is taking some sailors to fit DSC!
 
Bilgediver said:
Sounds like a few folk will need software upgrades....
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Yep, and how many do you think will apply them, if the manufacturer is even still producing upgrades for their kit? It's hard enough to get some people to correct their charts. I'd rather not rely on them for many years yet.

AIS beacons great for MOB off a crewed boat. For anything else you need to be shouting on VHF ch70, ch16, or 406MHz.

Pete
 
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