2 General
Clasification Society 2024 - Version 9.40
Statutory Documents - IMO Publications and Documents - Resolutions - Maritime Safety Committee - Resolution MSC.246(83) - Adoption of Performance Standards for Survival Craft AIS Search and Rescue Transmitters (AIS-SART) for Use in Search and Rescue Operations - (Adopted on 8 October 2007) - Annex - Performance Standards for Survival Craft AIS Search and Rescue Transmitters (AIS-SART) for Use in Search and Rescue Operations - 2 General

2 General

 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.

  2.1 The AIS-SART should:

  • .1 be capable of being easily activated by unskilled personnel;

  • .2 be fitted with means to prevent inadvertent activation;

  • .3 be equipped with a means which is either visual or audible, or both visual and audible, to indicate correct operation;

  • .4 be capable of manual activation and deactivation; provision for automatic activation may be included;

  • .5 be capable of withstanding without damage drops from a height of 20 m into water;

  • .6 be watertight at a depth of 10 m for at least 5 min;

  • .7 maintain water tightness when subjected to a thermal shock of 45°C under specified conditions of immersion;

  • .8 be capable of floating (not necessarily in an operating position) if it is not an integral part of the survival craft;

  • .9 be equipped with buoyant lanyard, suitable for use as a tether, if it is capable of floating;

  • .10 not be unduly affected by seawater or oil;

  • .11 be resistant to deterioration in prolonged exposure to sunlight;

  • .12 be of a highly visible yellow/orange colour on all surfaces where this will assist detection;

  • .13 have a smooth external construction to avoid damaging the survival craft;

  • .14 be provided with an arrangement to bring the AIS-SART antenna to a level of at least 1 metre above sea level, together with illustrated instructions;

  • .15 be capable of transmitting with a reporting interval of 1 minute or less;

  • .16 equipped with an internal position source and be capable of transmitting its current position in each message; and

  • .17 be capable of being tested for all functionalities using specific test information.

  2.2 The AIS-SART should have sufficient battery capacity to operate for 96 h within a temperature range of -20°C to +55°C, 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.

  2.3 The AIS-SART should be so designed as to be able to operate under ambient temperatures of -20°C to +55°C. It should not be damaged in stowage throughout the temperature range of -30°C to +70°C.

  2.4 The AIS-SARTs should be detectable at a range of 5 nautical miles over water.

  2.5 The AIS-SART should continue transmission even if the position and time synchronization from the positioning system is lost or fails.

  2.6 The AIS-SART should transmit within 1 minute of activation.


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