R4 Ais News

Saab TransponderTech introduced a new type-approved GPS as an integrated part of the R4 ship AIS transponder system. Gunnar Mangs, business director for mobile systems, said, “This fully compliant GPS receiver is intended to provide a fully qualified backup to the SOLAS class ship’s main DGPS, and adds GPS navigation functionality to the AIS transponder. The GPS receiver is embedded inside the R4 transponder. It provides the necessary GPS outputs to the AIS, and also provides navigation functions on the R4 display unit.

Foss Maritime is equipping its fleet of 43 tugs with Saab TransponderTech R4 Automatic Identification Systems (AIS) transponders. The installations are being performed by Pacific Radar. The Saab R4 was introduced to the marine market in 2003. This year, Saab announced a major upgrade to the R4 AIS product with the addition of an embedded IMO-compliant GPS receiver. The company has also introduced an airborne AIS solution for use in coastal surveillance and search and rescue applications. Foss Maritime, based in Seattle, Washington, is the largest tug and barge operator on the U.S. West Coast.

Saab TransponderTech won a major order to supply shipboard Automatic Identification Systems (AIS) to the Canadian Coast Guard. Under the contract, Saab’s licensed integrator/reseller ICAN Ltd will supply 105 Saab R4 AIS transponders for installation on a wide range of ice breakers, buoy tenders, fisheries patrol vessels and search-and-rescue cutters. The installations will be completed during 2005.

The Canadian Coast Guard has placed orders for 141 Saab TransponderTech marine DGPS receivers in a move to upgrade shipboard navigation systems throughout the fleet. The new Saab DGPS antennas and sensors will replace the stand-alone DGPS receivers currently installed on the vessels. They will be integrated with the existing Saab R4 Automatic Information Systems (AIS) installations, providing a seamless DGPS/AIS solution sharing a common user interface and display. The DGPS systems will be fitted on Canadian Coast Guard icebreakers, buoy tenders, fisheries patrol vessels and search-and-rescue cutters during 2006. The products are being supplied by Austin Navigation, a Saab authorized dealer in Canada.

Saab TransponderTech received orders from the Prefectura of Argentina to supply Automatic Information Systems (AIS) and other navigation systems, in a move to upgrade coastal surveillance capabilities for coast guard cutters. The contract calls for Saab to provide R4 AIS systems with secure communications software on nine vessels. In addition, Saab will supply Electronic Chart Display and Information Systems (ECDIS) for three ships. The ECDIS will be integrated with the ships’ AIS installations. Also included is a Saab R4A airborne AIS, which will be integrated with a moving display on a Prefectura helicopter. The systems will be installed and commissioned by America Consulting Group S.A., Saab’s representative in Buenos Aires.

Saab TransponderTech has received orders from the Prefectura of Argentina to supply Automatic Information Systems (AIS) and other navigation systems, in a move to upgrade coastal surveillance capabilities for coast guard cutters. The contract calls for Saab to provide R4 AIS systems with secure communications software on nine vessels. In addition, Saab will supply Electronic Chart Display and Information Systems (ECDIS) for three ships. The ECDIS will be integrated with the ships’ AIS installations. Also included is a Saab R4A airborne AIS, which will be integrated with a moving display on a Prefectura helicopter. The systems will be installed and commissioned by America Consulting Group S.A., Saab’s representative in Buenos Aires.

The Nor-Shipping Exhibition concluded June 6, 2003. Following were some of the major announcements during the week in Oslo. Kongsberg won a contract for the control systems for four LNG tankers scheduled to be built in Japan. The ships will carry LNG from the Snohvit field to the U.S., Spain and France. Two of the ships are being built for Hoegh shipping lines at Mitsubishi Shipyards, while the other two are being built at the Mitsui and Kawasaki shipyards. Kelvin Hughes was awarded type approval for its ECDIS-based Track Control System. This is the first Approval of its type to be granted by LR and covers the integration of the company's ECDIS and Autopilot products into a system meeting the new IEC 62065 track control performance standard.

At the Nor-Shipping exhibition held in Oslo in June, the the Radio Holland Group management signed a contract with Saab TransponderTech, for the distribution and service of the Saab R4 AIS system by all Radio Holland Group branches. The R4 AIS is manufactured by Saab TransponderTech AB and is is the fourth generation of Saab AIS. The R4 Class A Transponder System is type-approved with wheelmark and complies with all international standards for AIS ship systems. Saab is also providing free Seagull computer based training software with every AIS system, training seafarers how to use the AIS equipment. Radio Holland Greece has also announce that as of April 20, they have been approved by Lloyds Register Quality Assurance to the quality management system standard BS EN ISO 9001: 2000.