1. AIS FA-170 Furuno
The FURUNO AIS is a universal Class A Automatic Identification System transponder designed for both open sea and inland waterways. Its primary purpose is to enhance navigational safety by automatically exchanging static, dynamic, and voyage-related data with other AIS-equipped vessels and coastal stations.
Dynamic data includes the vessel’s position, speed over ground (SOG), and course over ground (COG). Static data covers crucial information like the vessel’s Maritime Mobile Service Identity (MMSI), name, and dimensions. This continuous exchange allows the application of the AIS as an anti-collision aid, offering advantages over radar such as near real-time information and capability to detect ships around bends or behind islands within VHF/FM coverage
2. Radar Furuno – 2837S
The Furuno Marine Radar/ARPA (Automatic Radar Plotting Aid) system is a technologically advanced suite of navigational tools designed for superior situational awareness on vessels. It operates across both X-band and S-band frequencies. Offering powerful transmission outputs ranging from 10 kW up to 60 kW in certain models.
The system’s primary use is to ensure safe maritime navigation and collision avoidance. It accomplishes this through real-time tracking and plotting functionalities. The integrated ARPA capability automatically tracks up to 100 targets. Providing crucial data such as CPA (Closest Point of Approach) and TCPA (Time to Closest Point of Approach) to assist officers in decision-making.
3. INMASAT-C FELCOM – 18
The Inmarsat-C system is a global mobile satellite communication service that facilitates digital data transfer, including text messages, data reports, and email, primarily for maritime applications.
It employs a reliable “store-and-forward” communication method, where messages are sent via satellite to a Land Earth Station (LES), stored briefly, and then transmitted to their final destination on shore or another vessel. Its core application is supporting the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS), providing mandatory compliance for distress alerting and reception of Maritime Safety Information (MSI) through Enhanced Group Calls (EGC).
4. Echo sounder NSR-3010
An echo sounder system, such as the NSR NED, is a crucial piece of electronic equipment on vessels designed to measure the depth of water beneath the ship to aid navigation. It operates by transmitting sound waves into the water and calculating the depth based on the time it takes for the signal to reflect back from the seabed. The NED-3010 specifically features dual channels, supporting transducers of 200 kHz or 50 kHz.
Its primary application is to enhance safety at sea by providing reliable, real-time depth information to prevent grounding and collisions. Especially when navigating shallow or uncharted areas. It also significantly boosts operational efficiency through route optimization and supporting activities like fishing and offshore operations.
5. VHF Radiotelephone Furuno FM-8900S
The VHF Radiotelephone is a crucial, all-in-one marine radio system designed for maritime mobile service. It is compliance with GMDSS carriage requirements for safety and general communications. It operates in the Very High Frequency (VHF) band, typically between 156 and 174 MHz, utilizing FM channels for bidirectional voice communication between ships, and between a ship and shore (coast stations).
This system is essential for distress, urgency, and safety communications, with dedicated channels like Channel 16 for emergency calling and Channel 70 exclusively for Digital Selective Calling (DSC). DSC enables the transmission of automatic digital alerts—including the vessel’s unique MMSI and GPS position—for rapid alerting and coordination in emergencies. Applications extend to general radiocommunications, such as ship-to-ship maneuvering, contacting harbor authorities, locks, and marinas, utilizing output power that can be reduced from 25W to 1W for short-range calls to prevent interference.
