GLAs award AIS transponder contract
The KANAtoN 3 will be used by the GLAs as an AtoN for marking and remotely monitoring and controlling the real-time status of their AtoN installations.
Aids to Navigation (AtoN) systems manufacturer Kannad’s KANAtoN 3 AIS Transponder (type 3 transmitter/receiver) has won a competitive bid to supply the General Lighthouse Authorities (GLA) for three years.
The General Lighthouse Authorities comprises of the Northern Lighthouse Board, Trinity House and the Commissioners of Irish Lights, and are responsible for delivering a safe and cost effective network of AtoN for the benefit and safety of all mariners in UK and Irish waters.
Kannad’s KANAtoN 3 AIS transmitter/receiver was put through a number of live and laboratory tests by the GLA prior to the contract award. Kannad’s Pierre Jean Jannin said, “The GLA extensively pre-tested the KANAtoN 3, so the team at Kannad are extremely pleased to have been selected to work with the GLA on this project.”
Kannads AtoNs system currently comprises two main beacons; the KanAtoN 1 (AIS transmitter) and the KanAton 3 (AIS transmitter/receiver) plus various interfaces. This particular contract was for the new KanAtoN 3 beacon plus interface, which boasts a number of features, including being able to control remotely a number of functions on the navigation structure. These include the activation of emergency equipment, control and activation of spare equipment, remote monitoring of the onboard system and malfunction detection, plus the transmission of meteorological and hydrological data. This data is controlled and monitored via a network of land based servers, or shore stations, relaying data exchanges between AtoN and the Supervision & Control Centre. The remote monitoring system operates via a specially developed web-based application that is placed on a server to receive the AIS messages relayed ashore. The Kannad interface system has been specially designed to be fully compatible with existing AtoN communications systems.
The KANAtoN 3 will be used by the GLAs as an AtoN for marking and remotely monitoring and controlling the real-time status of their AtoN installations (lighthouses and buoys). The KANAtoN 3 provides mariners with relevant and up to date information required for safe navigation.
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