ACR Electronics Introduces AIS Transceivers for Commercial Vessels

Leading marine electronics manufacturer debuts premium Class A and Class B systems as deadline approaches to comply with USCG AIS mandate

International safety and survival technology expert ACR Electronics, a Drew Marine Company, introduces its new Class A and Class B AIS transceivers for the first time at this year’s Europort.

Approved worldwide and certified to the latest AIS regulations, the AISLink CA1 and AISLink CB1 are appropriate for all US and foreign-flag vessels affected by the new US Coast Guard AIS mandate which becomes effective on March 2 2016. Most vessels operating in US navigable waters are now required to install a type-approved AIS under the new ruling, with the choice of system dependent on various factors including the number of passengers, operating area and maximum speed.

Gerry Angeli, President of ACR Electronics, commented: “The safety of the vessel and its crew is always priority. The fact that the USCG has mandated AIS for commercial vessels is a poignant validation that AIS is instrumental in vessel detection and protection. By installing ACR’s AISLink CA1 transceiver, or in some cases our AISLink CB1 Class B transceiver, captains globally will have access to state-of-the-art technology allowing navigation to be simplified. ACR AIS transceivers offer high reliability, performance and compliance with regulations at a competitive price. They facilitate faster communication and navigational planning especially when vessels are not visible or obstructed from radar.

“ACR welcomes the opportunity to be a resourceful partner for the commercial sector by being at the forefront of AIS technology, as it will continue to evolve in the years ahead to further improve safety, security, tracking and accident investigations. As the USCG March 16 deadline approaches for commercial vessels to comply with the requirements to install AIS, we will also be working on-line and in person to assist boat owners, operators and installers who may have questions about the mandate or who may need help installing transceivers on their vessels.”

A GPS-enabled, commercial standard system which demonstrates the highest AIS transmission power and the most frequent transmission of AIS information, the AISLink CA1 offers commercial operators and owners a premium system with an extensive feature set.

The leading Class A option is compact, easy to use and install, and offers outstanding reliability and versatility at a competitive price. Developed to clearly display and track critical safety and navigational information, the unit will send and receive wireless data to and from nearby AIS-equipped vessels including the vessel’s name, position, course or speed over the ground, heading and rate of turn.

Competitively priced and with a rugged and waterproof design, the ACR AISLink CB1 is a viable option for certain commercial vessels, such as fishing and small passenger vessels. Small, rugged and waterproof with low power consumption, the Class B device is reliable and easy to use with an internal GPS antenna to save space.