Applications of AIS technology continue to expand, with the launch of a personal AIS beacon from the innovative German company, Weatherdock. Just 128mm long and weighing 350grammes, the new AIS includes a GPS receiver, a class B AIS transmitter, and a battery that will give a guaranteed operating life of 96 hours.
Although it’s officially classed as an AIS SART, and was designed to meet type approval requirements that were intended to allow portable AIS transmitters to be carried in ships’ lifeboats (that’s why it includes such a hefty battery) Weatherdock see its main application as a man overboard device.
Unfortunately, it’s not automatic, but assuming the casualty is able to release the spring-loaded antenna and press the “on” button, the AIS transmitter will broadcast a personalised emergency message and its current GPS position several times per minute, producing a distinctive “distress” icon on the chart plotter or AIS display of every AIS-equipped vessel within a radius of about two or three miles.
The EasyRescue AIS SART is priced at £344, and is distributed by Echopilot.
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