Radio and locating equipment supports both routine communication on board and distress alerting and location in an emergency. Depending on the task, equipment includes handheld VHF radios, operational communication systems, EPIRBs and radar or AIS-SARTs. On vessels subject to statutory carriage requirements, the type and quantity of equipment depend on the vessel and its area of operation. Approved equipment is available for use within the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS).
TOPLICHT supplies MED/SOLAS-approved GMDSS handheld VHF radios for ships and survival craft, as well as combined marine and professional radio equipment for onboard communication. Hands-free and helmet communication systems allow crew members to remain in contact during work that requires both hands. For locating persons or survival craft in a distress situation, the range includes radar SARTs, which respond to signals from X-band radar, and AIS-SARTs, which transmit their emergency position via AIS.
EPIRBs transmit distress alerts through the satellite-based COSPAS-SARSAT system. Versions with GNSS also determine their position, while units incorporating AIS assist local detection by vessels and other suitably equipped stations nearby. Float-free EPIRBs can be released automatically from a sinking vessel by means of a hydrostatic release unit. TOPLICHT also carries brackets, hydrostatic release units, battery service kits and other associated parts, together with Class A AIS transceivers for commercial vessels.
