Monday 11- Friday 15 January 3.00-3.30 pm
Thursday 10 December 2009 Marine electronics manufacturers are at the forefront of introducing new technology, but this can sometimes leave users wondering which product is best for their needs. One development which brings tangible benefits to both leisure and commercial marine users is AIS, the Automatic Information System.
AIS provides real time and factual information about vessels, including identification details, size, cargo, speed, course and destination. Its adoption for worldwide use was accelerated after the New York 9/11 tragedy; with AIS providing tangible safety benefits for port authorities with all vessels over 300 tons carrying a designated Class A AIS transponder.
Radar and marine electronics expert Alan Watson will be hosting Raymarine’s “Ask the Experts” sessions on the main stage at the Tullet Prebon London Boat Show, taking place every weekday from 3.00-3.30 pm. He will be explaining how AIS provides tangible safety benefits to leisure boaters, whether inshore or blue water sailing. He will describe what information AIS gives, and how this data appears on a chart plotter and radar. With several choices of AIS products available, Alan will explain the differences between a receive-only AIS and a transponder AIS, and explain which is best for different types of users. The talk will also explain how to use AIS for anti-collision. The ‘Ask the Experts’ talk also allows plenty of time for questions from the audience, and Alan will be available on the Raymarine stand (NO28J) for further consultation and advice before and after the sessions.
Notes to Editors:
Alan Watson trained as a radio officer in the Merchant Navy, becoming Electronics Officer, with responsibility for all electronics systems onboard ships. During his time at sea, he was onboard tankers, container ships, general cargo vessels, dredgers and a dynamic positioned drill ship in the South Atlantic. In 1980 he moved ashore, and worked in the broadcast industry on high power transmitters, where he played a key role in the development of digital TV, which resulted in the subsequent conversion of the UK from analogue to digital systems.
In the mid 1990s Alan became an RYA qualified trainer and examiner covering RYA radar, VHF, dayskipper and yachtmaster theory courses, as well as diesel engine maintenance. He set up a marine school, Trinity Nautical Training, which specialises in courses on radar and marine electronic systems.
He still spends time at sea on board his Nelson 42 Trinity Star. He is also Chairman of The Medusa Trust, responsible for the restoration of HMS Medusa, a WW2 royal Navy launch.
For further information contact Gemma Westcott, UK Marketing Manager, +44 (0)23 9269 3611 Ext. 1395 or gemma.westcott@raymarine.com or Alice Driscoll/James Tuck at ADPR, Tel +44 (0)1460 241641 or Fax +44 (0)1460 242719 or by email at james@adpr.co.uk This text can be downloaded from www.adpr.co.uk
For high res images: Please contact Swan Gan at Raymarine +44 (0)23 9269 3611 x1170 – swan.gan@raymarine.com for a password to Raymarine’s Asset Management System (AMS). This provides access to all Raymarine images and product data.
December 2009 (RM650)
