AIS Distress Signals
Self-contained AIS distress signal devices transmit emergency position reports when activated. The chartplotter can receive signals from Search and Rescue Transmitters (SART), Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons (EPIRB), and other man overboard signals. Distress signal transmissions are different than standard AIS transmissions, so they appear differently on the chartplotter. Instead of tracking a distress signal transmission for collision avoidance, you track a distress signal transmission to locate and assist a vessel or person.
Navigating to a Distress Signal Transmission
When you receive a distress signal transmission, a distress signal alarm appears.
AIS Distress Signal Device Targeting Symbols
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Symbol |
Description |
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AIS distress signal device transmission. Select to see more information about the transmission and begin navigation. |
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Transmission lost. |
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Transmission test. Appears when a vessel initiates a test of their distress signal device, and does not represent a true emergency. |
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Transmission test lost. |
Enabling AIS Transmission Test Alerts
To avoid a large number of test alerts and symbols in crowded areas such as marinas, you can select to receive or ignore AIS test messages. To test an AIS emergency device, you must enable the chartplotter to receive test alerts.
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Select
> Alarms > AIS.
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Select an option:
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To receive or ignore Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPRIB) test signals, select AIS-EPIRB Test.
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To receive or ignore Man Overboard (MOB) test signals, select AIS-MOB Test.
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To receive or ignore Search and Rescue Transponder (SART) test signals, select AIS-SART Test.
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