This part of IEC 61097 specifies the minimum performance requirements, technical characteristics and methods of testing, and required test results, for Automatic Identification Systems (AIS) search and rescue transmitters (AIS-SART) which may be carried by ships as a search and rescue locating device as required by Chapters III and IV of the International Convention for Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), as amended. It takes account of IMO resolution A.694(17) and is associated with IEC 60945. When a requirement in this standard is different from IEC 60945, the requirement in this part of IEC 61097 takes precedence. This standard incorporates the applicable parts of the performance standards included in IMO Resolution MSC.246(83) and the applicable technical characteristics included in Recommendation ITU-R M.1371 and is associated with IEC 61993-2 (Class A shipborne AIS). All the text of this standard, whose wording is identical to that of IMO Resolution MSC.246(83), is printed in italics, and the Resolution and associated performance standard paragraph numbers are indicated in brackets. NOTE IEC 61097-1 specifies the requirements for radar transponders for use in search and rescue operations (SART) which may alternatively be carried by ships as a search and rescue locating device.