SSG No 20 - Shipgaz

it & communications
Editor: Petter Arentz ~ Phone +47 33 40 12 00 ~ E-mail: petter@shipgaz.com
Clever AIS transceiver
from Simrad
The new Simrad AI50 is a very
clever, safety and navigation
system for yachts and motorboats.
As the first and the
only Class B AIS transceiver
with fully integrated colour
LCD designed and priced
for the boating market.
Traditionally, the use of
AIS for recreational boats is
reserved to receiving data from
commercial vessels, which are
required to install expensive
and complicated Class A AIS.
The Simrad AI50 receives this information
and also transmits data, enabling all AIS
vessels in the area to know exactly where
you are at all times. The Simrad AI50 displays
and transmits a wealth of information,
including boat name and MMSI, type
of boat, Closest Point of Approach and
time to CPA, course, speed, heading and
rate of turn. A daylight viewable colour
screen and straightforward interface with
built in coastline maps makes for simple
operation. Range rings enable the setting
of alarms to warn of impending danger.
Connected to the NMEA 2000 based
SimNet marine network, the Simrad AI50
becomes an integral part of any boat’s nav-
igation and communication capabilities.
For easy DSC message composition simply
connect a SimNet equipped DSC radio to
the AI50. Just move your cursor over the
target you wish to contact, press DSC and
the AI50 will initiate a Routine DSC call
using the MMSI of the selected boat.
Social aspect
Kongsberg wins MoD contract
Kongsberg Defense & Aerospace (KDA) has
signed a NOK 30 million contract with the
Norwegian Ministry of Defense for Underwater
Surveillance and Protection. KDA
will carry out a three-year project with
Kongsberg Maritime (KM) and Norwegian
Defense Research Establishment (FFI).
The first version of the integrated surveillance
and protection system has already
been installed at Haakonsvern, Norway’s
main naval base. Necessary adaptations,
improvements and extensions will be
implemented in the integrated system during
the project period.
The background for the project is the
Though vastly improved safety & security
are the primary reasons to own an AI50,
the system also caters for the fun and social
aspects of boating. A ’Buddy Tracking’ setting
enables you to enter the MMSI numbers
of friends and regular contacts, and be
alerted when they come into range.
general need for protection of Norwegian
installations.
Developed modular and flexible systems
solutions are based on Norwegian
technologies and can be used at fixed
installations, like Haakonsvern, or as
mobile systems.
Core technology has been developed
by KDA through the work related to the
underwater systems now in operation
onboard the new ”Fridtjof Nansen” class
frigates in Norway. The work will strengthen
Norway’s position in a growing market
within the harbour and coastal surveillance
and protection.
Gas detector contract
Håland Instrumentering confirmed an
order in excess of NOK 2,5 million for IR
gas detectors with Simtronics .The equipment
is earmarked for the Skarv Idun and
Petrojarl FPSO projects. Deliveries will take
place during Q4 2007 and through 2008.
The order confirms Simtronics’ position as
a leading supplier of gas detection equipment
used in harsh conditions
Dry bulk chat tool
AXSMarine, provider of online databases,
reference guides and tools enabling shipping
industry professionals to transform
raw data into useful, searchable information,
has announced the launch of AXS-
Messenger, which is an instant messaging
”chat” feature specially designed to meet
the business requirements of dry bulk
shipping industry professionals. Owners,
operators, charterers and brokers can cut
out unnecessary chatter in other messaging
systems, and focus instead on finding
and fixing vessels. AXSMessenger users are
linked to all other AXSDry subscribers.
With AXSMessenger, a broker could for
example use the feature to post a message
to an owner or another broker about rate
ideas his customer has for a certain vessel.
When the owner/broker in question carries
out a search on that vessel.
IMO rejects ECDIS
The IMO safety of navigation sub-committee
has rejected a mandatory carriage
requirement for ECDIS (electronic chart
display information systems) against the
good advise of experts. The proposal for
mandatory carriage was put forward by
Norway, Denmark, Sweden and Finland
arguing that electronic navigational charts
now are good enough.
EU approve acquisition
The European Commission (EC) has
approved French private equity firm Apax
Partners’ USD 400 million acquisition of
Telenor Satellite Services. In Apex portfolio
are names like Vizade (former France Telecom,
Mobile Satellite Communications).
SCANDINAVIAN SHIPPING GAZETTE • OCTOBER 26, 2007 75