24 June 2013
INFORMATION
ON THE DISPLAY OF AIS-SART, AIS MAN OVERBOARD AND EPIRB-AIS DEVICES
1 The Maritime
Safety Committee, at its ninety-second session (12 to 21 June 2013), noted the
issue of developments in location devices using AIS technology.
2 Although
international and national consideration of these devices is ongoing, they are
available for use and will be displayed on shipborne AIS equipment. Therefore,
it was considered that information for seafarers was needed. Accordingly, the
Committee approved the circulation of the attached information to seafarers on
the display of AIS-SART, AIS Man overboard (MOB) and EPIRB-AIS devices,
prepared by the Sub-Committee on Radiocommunications and Search and Rescue
(COMSAR), at its seventeenth session (21 to 25 January 2013), taking into
account the recommendation of the Sub-Committee on Safety of Navigation (NAV),
at its fifty-eighth session (2 to 6 July 2012).
3 The Committee
further noted that the use of these devices might need to be reviewed in the
more general context of GMDSS and the role of AIS. This information, therefore,
might be reviewed during the process of review and modernization of the GMDSS.
4 Member Governments
are invited to bring the information to the attention of all parties concerned.
ANNEX
INFORMATION
ON THE DISPLAY OF AIS-SART, AIS MAN OVERBOARD AND EPIRB-AIS DEVICES
1 This circular
provides information on the display of AIS-SART, AIS Man Overboard (MOB) and
EPIRB-AIS devices today. AIS-SARTs (AIS-search and rescue transmitters) are
part of the GMDSS and have been able to be used as an alternative to radar
(X-band) search and rescue radar transponders (SARTs) on SOLAS ships since 1
January 2010.
2 EPIRB-AIS devices
will be 406 MHz distress alerting devices that contain an additional AIS
transmitter developed using the same AIS-SART technology, where the AIS
component is used as an aid in locating that EPIRB-AIS.
3 AIS Man Overboard
(MOB) devices are now available as locating aids for persons at risk in the
water. Once such a situation has been determined as being an emergency, AIS Man
Overboard (MOB) devices may be used as an aid in locating that person.
4 In order to
protect the integrity of the VHF data link used by AIS, AIS devices, including
AIS-MOB devices, are not intended to be used to routinely locate or track
people not being in an emergency situation.
AIS-SART
5 AIS-SARTs may be
indicated on a newer graphical display of AIS by a circle with an "X"
inside it, as shown (extract from SN.1/Circ.243/Add.1):