ACR Electronics

ACR Electronics, Inc., a Cobham Company, designs and manufactures a complete line of safety and survival products including EPIRBs, P-ELTs/P-EPIRBs/PLBs, Bridge-based Information Systems, SARTs and safety accessories. The quality systems of this facility have been registered by UL to the ISO 9001:2000 Series Standards. Recognized as the world leader in safety and survival technologies, ACR has provided safety equipment to the aviation and marine industries as well as to the military since 1956.

FOR IMMEDIATE PUBLICATION

October 22, 2004

ACR INTRODUCES GLOBALWATCH2™ AIS Transponder Designed Specifically to Non-SOLAS Carriage Requirements

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL-- With a December 31st, 2004 compliance deadline looming, ACR Electronics, Inc. has introduced GlobalWatch2™ AIS, a transponder designed for all non-SOLAS commercial vessels required to meet new stringent port security requirements by the end of this year.

Included in the non-SOLAS December 31st compliance deadline are self-propelled vessels of 65 feet or more in length, other than fishing and passenger vessels certified to carry less than 151 passengers-for-hire. Also included in the mandate are towing vessels of 26 feet or more in length and more than 600 horsepower (in commercial service) and passenger vessels certified to carry more than 150 passengers-for-hire.

AIS, mandated by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) for both SOLAS and non-SOLAS vessels, is a VHF-based, two-way transponder operating much like an air-traffic control system for port authorities and ships. Considered the cornerstone of the Maritime Transportation Security Act (MTSA) of 2002, AIS in U.S. waters, for example, will allow the Coast Guard to communicate with and track both foreign and domestic vessels as part of the Vessel Tracking System (VTS).

Lightweight and easy to integrate with a simple plug and play installation, ACR's GlobalWatch2™ AIS is the world's most compact AIS transponder system. With an integrated alphanumeric keyboard and display, the unit is a dynamic hands-on tool providing captains with real-time information as well as allowing port security authorities to automatically identify and screen all incoming vessels.

Sold as an all-in-one kit the GlobalWatch2™ includes AIS transponder, VHF and GPS antennas, data cables, and a pivot mounting kit. The package also includes an ECDIS port adapter to directly interface with an on-board ECDIS display. The GlobalWatch2™ is available only in the U.S. for U.S. domestic water operation.