ACR Introduces new AIS Transceiver

Global leader in safety and survival technologies ACR Electronics, a Drew Marine Company, has broadened its range of innovative maritime devices with the introduction of its new Class A and Class B Automatic Identification Systems (AIS) transceivers.

ACR’s new AIS product offering, combined with the recent acquisition of UK-based safety and communication specialist Ocean Signal, further establishes the company as an industry leader with the capabilities to provide a comprehensive portfolio of devices to the marine market place.

The electronics manufacturer, which operates from its US headquarters in Florida, has also recently opened a new distribution centre in Rotterdam, Netherlands, as it continues to grow its worldwide network of dealers, distribution facilities and services to support its international customers.

Committed to ensuring the safety of vessels and their crew by developing the next generation of innovative survival products, ACR can now provide commercial captains and recreational boat owners with the ability to benefit from the exchange of vital navigational data between vessels and ports provided by the VHF digital transmissions enabled by AIS.

The bolstered ACR product line of reliable survival gear now includes a full range of AIS transceivers, Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons (EPIRBs), Personal Locator Beacons (PLBs), Search and Rescue Transponders (SARTs), AIS Man Overboard Beacons, VHF radios, searchlights, rescue strobe lights and other safety accessories.

Suitable for installation on commercial vessels affected by the recent US Coast Guard mandate on AIS requirements and ideal for a range of other workboats and recreational boats, the premium, fully-featured ACR AISLink CA1 Class A and CB1 Class B transceivers are certified around the world to the latest AIS regulations.

“We are very pleased to launch the new AIS transceivers and to be able to offer these vital safety products to our customers in addition to our established distress beacons and survival products which now include the popular, compact Ocean Signal range,” said Gerry Angeli, President of ACR Electronics. “ACR is already known for developing reliable products suitable for the harshest conditions, so we are confident that the Class A and Class B AIS transceivers will enhance this reputation. The ACR AIS transceivers offer high reliability, performance and compliance with regulations at a competitive price.

“As the US Coast Guard’s March 2016 deadline approaches for commercial vessels to comply with the requirements to install AIS, we will also be working with and assisting boat owners and operators who may have questions about the mandate or who may need help installing transceivers on their vessels.

“It is very reassuring that we will soon have more of the commercial vessels working along our coasts equipped with AIS. By facilitating faster communication and navigational planning especially when vessels are hidden or obstructed from radar, our compact transceivers will greatly improve vessel safety and Marine Domain Awareness by sending and receiving wireless navigational data to and from nearby ships equipped with AIS including the vessel’s name, position, course or speed over ground, heading, and rate of turn. Looking ahead, AIS is a technology that will evolve in the years ahead to further improve safety, security, tracking and accident investigations and we feel it is important for ACR to be at the forefront of this developing area of maritime safety.”

Most US and foreign-flag commercial vessels operating in US navigable waters are now required to install a USCG Type Approved AIS by March 2016 under the new ruling. ACR’s AISLink CA1 and AISLink CB1 are both appropriate for vessels affected, with the choice of system dependent on various factors including the number of passengers, operating area and maximum speed.

The AISLink CA1 Class A transceiver is a commercial standard system which demonstrates the highest AIS transmission power and the most frequent transmission of AIS information. Approved worldwide for both deep sea and inland waterways, it offers an extensive feature set including an easy-to use graphical interface with multilingual capability which positions it as a leader amongst other AIS Class A options.

Compact, easy to install and competitively priced, the ACR Class A transceiver interacts seamlessly with navigation systems through its NMEA 0183 interface, with a large, highly visible, monochrome LCD display. It combines its demonstrated history of the highest level of reliability, operational performance and low power consumption, with a rugged and durable design comprised of marine grade components.

The ACR AISLink CB1 Class B transceiver is also certified worldwide to the latest AIS regulations, and is ideal for recreational boaters, as well as some commercial vessels. Small, rugged and waterproof with low power consumption, the AISLink CB1 is an extremely reliable and easy-to-use transceiver with an internal GPS antenna to save space. It features NMEA0183 and NMEA2000 data output which allows for seamless interaction with navigation systems and can be placed in silent mode for privacy and security.