Cobham SAILOR 6004 Control Panel (406004A-00500)

The Cobham SAILOR 6004 Control Panel (part number 406004A-00500, also listed as TT-00-CP-6004) is a 7-inch touchscreen multifunction display developed by Thrane & Thrane, now Cobham SATCOM, for the SAILOR 6000 series of maritime communication equipment. Rather than dedicating a separate display to each device, the SAILOR 6004 acts as a shared operator interface on the vessel's ThraneLINK network, allowing bridge personnel to control, monitor and update several SAILOR units, such as the SAILOR 6280/6281 AIS transponders and the SAILOR 6390 Navtex receiver, from a single panel. It is designed and type-approved for the wheelhouse, meeting IEC 60945 for shipborne navigational and radiocommunication equipment, and it is a standard building block in SAILOR 6000 GMDSS console configurations for commercial ships, offshore vessels, fishing fleets and large yachts.

Background and Position in the SAILOR 6000 Series

The SAILOR 6000 series was introduced by Thrane & Thrane in the early 2010s as a networked family of GMDSS and bridge communication products, replacing the older SAILOR 5000 and Compact ranges. Its defining idea is ThraneLINK, an Ethernet-based protocol that lets SAILOR devices discover each other, share data and be configured centrally. The SAILOR 6004 Control Panel is the human-machine interface for that network. Where earlier generations required a dedicated display for each transponder or receiver, the 6004 consolidates those functions into one touchscreen, which reduces console space, cabling and the number of screens a watch officer has to scan.

Within the series, the SAILOR 6004 is the general-purpose control panel. It should not be confused with the SAILOR 6006 Message Terminal, a larger unit used for Inmarsat mini-C and GMDSS messaging, or with the built-in control units of the SAILOR 6222 VHF and SAILOR 6300 MF/HF radios, which have their own front panels. The 6004 is instead the recommended display for AIS, Navtex and other ThraneLINK-enabled applications that do not include a screen of their own.

Design and Features

7-inch Touchscreen with Night Mode

The panel is built around a 7-inch colour display with touchscreen operation. Cobham describes the screen as providing clear viewing in all light conditions, and a dedicated night mode dims the interface for use during dark-adapted watches. Applications run in separate windows, and a notification system flags events from every installed application so that AIS targets, Navtex messages or alarms are not missed while another function is in the foreground.

App-Based Multifunction Operation

The SAILOR 6004 uses an application model similar to a smartphone: the operator taps the icon for the device to be controlled. The basic ThraneLINK configuration application is pre-installed at the factory, and additional applications for the SAILOR 628x AIS, SAILOR 6390 Navtex Receiver, SAILOR 100 Satellite TV and other ThraneLINK products are installed and updated directly from the panel. This means new devices can be added to the network over the life of the vessel without replacing the display.

Alarms, Audio and Peripherals

For safety-related functions the panel includes an internal buzzer for alarm tones and an alarm output that can drive two alarms on external equipment. An integrated audio amplifier delivers up to 6 W into an 8-ohm load, enabling a SAILOR 6270 Loudspeaker or similar to be connected directly. A connector for the SAILOR 6201 Handset is provided, two rear-mounted USB ports accept an external keyboard or other accessories, and an integrated print server allows Navtex or AIS data to be sent to a networked printer. The unit can also be switched on remotely.

Mounting and Bridge Integration

The SAILOR 6004 is supplied for either flush mounting in a console or bracket mounting on a desktop or bulkhead. A flush-mount gasket, cable relief plate and mounting screws are included, and dedicated accessories such as the Flush Mount Bracket for 6000 Systems, wheel knob and dim knob are available as spare parts. The compact housing measures 191 mm wide by 145 mm high by 61 mm deep without the bracket, and the compass safe distance is 0.6 m, which simplifies placement near magnetic compasses.

Technology and Specifications

The dual Ethernet ports are notable. They allow the panel to sit on the ThraneLINK network while a second port connects to a lightweight Ethernet (IEC 61162-450) segment or to a further SAILOR device, which is the arrangement used when the SAILOR 6282 AIS Transponder is connected to the panel over LAN. The wide 10.8 to 31.2 V DC input covers both 12 V and 24 V ship supplies, and on GMDSS installations the panel is typically fed from a SAILOR 6081 Power Supply and Charger so that it remains operational on battery backup.

Applications and Use Cases

AIS Display and Control

The most common role for the SAILOR 6004 is as the display unit for SAILOR 6280 and 6281 Class A AIS transponders. In this configuration the panel shows the target list, own-ship data, safety-related messages and voyage settings, and it provides the interface for entering static and voyage data required under SOLAS Chapter V. The SAILOR 6283 AIS Connection Box is used alongside it for sensor and pilot-plug wiring.

Navtex Reception

Paired with the SAILOR 6390 Navtex Receiver, the panel presents received maritime safety information, allows station and message-type selection, and can route messages to a printer through its built-in print server. Because the same screen also serves AIS, the bridge gains Navtex display capability without an additional dedicated unit.

GMDSS Consoles

In SAILOR 6000 GMDSS systems for Sea Areas A1 through A3, the 6004 is included as the operator panel for network functions and non-radio applications, complementing the SAILOR 6222 VHF, SAILOR 6301 or 6310 MF/HF and SAILOR 6110 mini-C terminal. Its alarm output and buzzer integrate with the distress alarm scheme of the console.

Entertainment and Auxiliary Systems

The application model extends beyond safety equipment. Cobham lists the SAILOR 100 Satellite TV system among the applications the panel can host, and additional ThraneLINK-enabled products can be added as they become available.

Refits and Fleet Standardisation

Because the SAILOR 6004 is a single part number serving several devices, fleet operators use it to standardise spares and crew training across vessels. A crew member familiar with the panel on one ship can operate AIS or Navtex on any other ship fitted with the same unit.

Advantages and Benefits

• One display, several devices. Consolidating AIS, Navtex and other functions on a single 7-inch screen reduces console clutter and the number of separate displays to purchase, wire and maintain.
• Type-approved for the bridge. Compliance with IEC 60945 and inclusion in Wheelmark-approved SAILOR 6000 GMDSS systems make the panel suitable for SOLAS-regulated installations.
• Future-proof through software. Applications are installed and updated from the panel itself, so support for new SAILOR devices does not require new hardware.
• Safety-focused alarm handling. The internal buzzer, dual external alarm outputs and cross-application notifications ensure critical events are surfaced regardless of which window is active.
• Flexible installation. Flush or bracket mounting, a 0.6 m compass safe distance and 12/24 V DC operation suit both new-build consoles and refits.
• Operator-friendly interface. The touchscreen, app icons and night mode shorten the learning curve compared with menu-driven keypad displays.
• Low power draw. Typical consumption of 18 W keeps demands on the GMDSS battery bank modest.

Related SAILOR 6000 Equipment

The SAILOR 6004 is normally specified together with one or more of the following: the SAILOR 6280 or 6281 AIS Transponder, the SAILOR 6283 AIS Connection Box, the SAILOR 6390 Navtex Receiver, the SAILOR 6270 Loudspeaker, the SAILOR 6201 Handset and the SAILOR 6081 Power Supply and Charger. For messaging and Inmarsat mini-C control, the larger SAILOR 6006 Message Terminal is the appropriate companion unit.

Pricing and Availability

The SAILOR 6004 Control Panel is sold as a standalone unit under part number 406004A-00500 and is also included in SAILOR 6000 GMDSS and AIS system bundles. Because pricing varies with configuration, bundling and destination, current quotations for purchase, including accessories such as the flush-mount bracket and handset, are available on request from this page. Units are supplied new with the manufacturer's warranty, and installation should be carried out by a qualified marine electronics technician in accordance with the SAILOR 6004 installation manual.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Cobham SAILOR 6004 Control Panel used for?

It is a 7-inch touchscreen multifunction display that controls and monitors SAILOR 6000 series devices over the ThraneLINK network, most commonly the SAILOR 628x AIS transponders and the SAILOR 6390 Navtex receiver.

Is the SAILOR 6004 the same as the SAILOR 6006?

No. The SAILOR 6006 is a larger message terminal used for Inmarsat mini-C and GMDSS messaging. The SAILOR 6004 is the general-purpose control panel for AIS, Navtex and other ThraneLINK applications.

What voltage does the SAILOR 6004 require?

It operates from 10.8 to 31.2 V DC, covering both 12 V and 24 V shipboard supplies, with typical consumption of 18 W and a peak of 42 W.

Can the SAILOR 6004 control more than one device at a time?

Yes. Each device runs as a separate application in its own window, and notifications from all installed applications are shown so that events from one device are not missed while another is displayed.

How is the SAILOR 6004 mounted?

It can be flush mounted in a console using the supplied gasket or bracket mounted on a desktop or bulkhead. The unit measures 191 x 145 x 61 mm and weighs 1.1 kg without the bracket.

Does the SAILOR 6004 have alarm outputs?

Yes. It has an internal buzzer and an alarm output that provides two alarms to external equipment, supporting GMDSS and AIS alarm requirements.

Is the SAILOR 6004 type-approved for SOLAS vessels?

The panel complies with IEC 60945 and IEC 60950-1 and forms part of Wheelmark-approved SAILOR 6000 GMDSS systems, making it suitable for SOLAS-regulated installations when installed as part of an approved configuration.

Where can I buy a Cobham SAILOR 6004 Control Panel?

New SAILOR 6004 units (406004A-00500) with full manufacturer warranty, together with compatible SAILOR 6000 accessories, can be ordered directly from this page, with pricing provided on request.

What accessories are available for the SAILOR 6004?

Cobham lists a Flush Mount Bracket for 6000 Systems, a wheel knob, a dim knob, a cable relief plate and a flush-mount gasket as spare parts, in addition to the SAILOR 6270 Loudspeaker and SAILOR 6201 Handset that connect to the panel.

Summary

The Cobham SAILOR 6004 Control Panel is the shared operator interface of the SAILOR 6000 series, combining a 7-inch touchscreen, dual Ethernet ThraneLINK connectivity, integrated alarm and audio functions and an app-based software model in a compact IEC 60945-compliant housing. By consolidating AIS, Navtex and other applications on one display, it simplifies bridge layout, lowers installation effort and allows new SAILOR devices to be added through software rather than hardware. For shipowners, integrators and marine electronics professionals specifying GMDSS or AIS installations, the SAILOR 6004 remains the standard control panel for networked SAILOR equipment.