NAVIGATIONAL

EQUIPMENTS
K.R.GUPTA
INDIAN MARITIME UNIVERSITY

A I S-SART

AISSART

AIS
AIS-SART

- The future Search and Rescue Transmitter

From January 1st 2010, AIS-SART technology has
been adopted into IMO GMDSS carriage
requirements as an alternative survivor Search and
Rescue Locating Device to existing 9GHz Radar
SARTs.

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A major benefit of the AIS SART is that target

survivor information becomes viewable using

standard ships AIS equipment, with both the
range and course to locate the survivors clearly
presented on the ships AIS user display.

AIS-SART
Technically, the AIS-SART is based on the following

principals; the unit will be programmed from the

manufacturer with a unique ID code and receives its
position via an internal GPS antenna. This data is
combined and transmitted using the international
AIS channels (AIS A and AIS B) in the maritime VHF
band.

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The transmitter sends out a specified pattern.
Every minute, a sequence of 8 messages is
transmitted, each message is transmitted in a 26 ms
time slot. 4 messages are transmitted on channel A
and 4 on channel B. All 8 messages are transmitted
within a total time frame of 14 seconds. This time
frame is defined to maximize the probability that one
of the transmissions hits a wave top. It is only
necessary to receive one of the 8 messages from time
to time to accurately locate the AIS-SART.

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How do you know that this is an AIS-SART distress

signal?
Anybody who can receive and detect an AIS signal
will also detect an AIS-SART. The transmission
signal from an AIS-SART consists of an MMSI like
ID code, where the first three digits will be 970.
The ID code consists of a total of 9 digits and the
AIS-SART uses the remaining 6 digits to indicate a
manufacturer code (2 digits) in addition to the units
unique serial number (4 digits).

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Frequencies for
AIS transmission

VHF Ch87B ( 161.025 Mhz)

VHF Ch88B ( 161.975 Mhz)

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In addition to the ID code that appears on the AIS

and connected equipment, an AIS-SART will also be

visualized on an electronic chart, connected to the
AIS transponder onboard. An AIS-SART will be
shown as a circle with a built-in cross.

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AIS
The AIS-SART simplifies the search considerably

because the position is plotted directly on the vessels

electronic map system, because the AIS is a fully
digital system.
Only one transmission of 26 ms is required to
accurately get the position on the map, while the
radar-SART requires continuous updates.

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The ranges obtained ranged from 40 Nm up to 132 Nm
from the AIS-SART mounted on a 1m pole.
It can be located at a far greater distance, with GPS
precision, using standard equipment (AIS) that
automatically positions the persons in distress on a
map. There is no doubt that the AIS-SART will
contribute to a more effective and less time con
suming search and rescue operations in the future,
with the result that more people in distress will be
saved!

AIS
Models available :
Smartfind S5 AIS SART- McMurdo
AIS-SART TRON - JOTRON

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Performance Standards for
SURVIVAL CRAFT AIS SEARCH AND RESCUE
TRANSMITTERS (AIS-SART) FOR USE IN SEARCH AND
RESCUE OPERATIONS RESOLUTION MSC.246(83)

The AIS-SART should be capable of transmitting messages

that indicate the position, static and safety information of a

unit in distress. The transmitted messages should be
compatible with existing AIS installations. The transmitted
messages should be recognized and displayed by assisting
units in the reception range of AIS-SART, and clearly
distinguish the AIS-SART from an AIS installation.

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The AIS-SART should:
be capable of being easily activated by unskilled

personnel;
be fitted with means to prevent inadvertent activation;
be equipped with a means which is either visual or
audible, or both visual and audible, to indicate correct
operation;
be capable of manual activation and deactivation;
provision for automatic activation may be included;
be capable of withstanding without damage drops from a
height of 20 m into water;

AIS
be watertight at a depth of 10 m for at least 5 min;
maintain water tightness when subjected to a thermal

shock of 45C under specified conditions of immersion;

be capable of floating (not necessarily in an operating
position) if it is not an integral part of the survival craft;
be equipped with buoyant lanyard, suitable for use as a
tether, if it is capable of floating;
not be unduly affected by seawater or oil;
be resistant to deterioration in prolonged exposure to
sunlight;

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be of a highly visible yellow/orange colour on all

surfaces where this will assist detection;

have a smooth external construction to avoid
damaging the survival craft;
be provided with an arrangement to bring the AISSART antenna to a level of at least 1 metre above
sea level, together with illustrated instructions;
be capable of transmitting with a reporting
interval of 1 minute or less;

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equipped with an internal position source and be

capable of transmitting its current position in each

message; and
be capable of being tested for all functionalities using
specific test information.
The AIS-SART should have sufficient battery capacity
to operate for 96 h within a temperature range of
-20C to +55C, and to provide for testing of the
functions on the equipment.
The AIS-SART should have an unique identifier to
ensure the integrity of the VHF data link.

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The AIS-SART should be so designed as to be able to

operate under ambient temperatures of -20C to

+55C. It should not be damaged in stowage
throughout the temperature range of -30C to +70C.
The AIS-SARTs should be detectable at a range of 5
nautical miles over water.
The AIS-SART should continue transmission even if
the position and time synchronization from the
positioning system is lost or fails.
The AIS-SART should transmit within 1 minute of
activation.

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The following should be clearly indicated on the

exterior of the equipment:

brief operating and test instructions;
expiry date for the primary battery used.