FUTRONIC MKII is the preferred ALL-IN-ONE test equipment for radio inspectors performing mandatory, periodical surveys of ship-borne communications equipment, radio beacons, AIS and Search and Rescue transponders.

As part of our GMDSS AIS Survey services, we offer inspection, maintenance, repair and even replacement of any soon-to-be audited GMDSS equipment.

International Marconsult has the number one professional equipment in the world for the diagnosis of GMDSS equipment. IMC uses the FUTRINIK MKII.

The marine Automatic Identification System (AIS) is a location and vessel information reporting system. It allows vessels equipped with AIS to automatically and dynamically share and regularly update their position, speed, course and other information such as vessel identity with similarly equipped vessels.

Position is derived from the Global Positioning System (GPS) and communication between vessels is by Very High Frequency (VHF) digital transmissions.

There are a number of types of AIS device as follows:

• Class A transceivers. These are similar to class B transceivers, but are designed to be fitted to large vessels such as cargo ships and large passenger vessels. Class A transceivers transmit at a higher VHF signal power than class B transceivers and therefore can be received by more distant vessels. They also transmit more frequently. Class A transceivers are mandatory on all vessels over 300 gross tonnes on international voyages and certain types of passenger vessels under SOLAS regulations.

• Class B transceivers. Similar to class A transceivers in many ways, but are normally lower cost due to the less stringent performance requirements. Class B transceivers transmit at a lower power and at a lower reporting rate than class A transceivers.

• AIS base stations. AIS base stations are used by Vessel Traffic Systems to monitor and control the transmissions of AIS transceivers.

• Aids to Navigation (AtoN) transceivers. AtoNs are transceivers mounted on buoys or other hazards to shipping which transmit details of their location to the surrounding vessels.

• AIS receivers. AIS receivers will generally receive transmissions from class A transceivers, class B transceivers, AtoNs, AIS base stations and AIS SARTs but do not transmit any information about the vessel on which they are installed.

• AIS SART. An AIS SART is an emergency transmitter intended for use on vessels and life rafts. The AIS SART acts as a ‘locating device’ to assist search and rescue services in locating a liferaft or vessel in distress. When activated the AIS SART regularly transmits its GPS position in a specific emergency message to all other AIS devices in the area. All AIS SART devices have a unique identifier set during manufacture and require no further configuration.

Our staff has been certified, among other things in Denmark by the IACS DNV, as GMDSS AIS Survey, in addition to having more than 20 years of experience in the field of vessel inspections.

MKII is the only test box on the market capable of multiple test functions and a proven operational lifetime of more than 20 years. MKII is capable of testing all radio and safety equipment obligated by IMO to undergo mandatory inspections. Measure all eight AIS-bursts simultaneously in one single test. Faster testing is also achieved with the Futronic MKII through simultaneous tests of frequency, data and power in AIS and VHF tests.