KNC and MDSol to deliver Transnet system

Twenty Five interlinking AIS base stations, sourced from Kongsberg Seatex, shall provide coverage from Port Nolloth Lighthouse on the Northwest coast to Jesser Point Lighthouse on the North coast of KwaZulu-Natal. Each AIS Base Station will be located at a lighthouse and will transmit not only as a Base Station but also Aid to Navigation (AtoN) AIS messages on behalf of the lighthouse. In addition, an additional twenty lighthouses and eight buoys will be fitted with AtoN AIS units.  Another twelve receive-only stations shall complete the network.

All marine traffic data from both AIS base stations and AtoN AIS stations transmissions shall be gathered for traffic analysis. In addition, the new Transnet coastal AIS network shall utilize the new C-Scope Operator Client as the operator interface for this complete AIS coastal surveillance system.

"Transnet chose KNC because our AIS technology is the best value for money," says Steve Nell, Managing Director of MDSol. "KNC and MDSol are providing an integrated AtoN Management software system to enable Transnet National Ports Authority Lighthouse Service to effectively monitor and manage the AIS AtoN transmissions, including virtual and synthetic AtoN AIS transmissions, via the AIS network solution.  KNC's development of AIS technology is ongoing, which means MDSol and KNC's competence continues to evolve.

"Another important element of this AIS network is traffic analysis," says Steve Guest, Marketing and Sales Manager for KNC. "KNC works closely Christian Mikkelson Research (CMR), a leading provider of traffic analysis and visualization, and we integrate the CMR traffic analysis solution with our new C-Scope Operator Client.

The Factor Acceptance Test shall be held during November 2011, followed by an extended installation period due to the number of remote AIS base station sites. Site Acceptance Test is scheduled for April 2012.

Transnet National Ports Authority Lighthouse Services, our customer and the AIS network system's end-user, is mandated to operate and maintain lighthouses and other marine aids to navigation (AtoN) under its control, in order to assist with the navigation of vessels within port limits and along the coast of the Republic of South Africa.