Satellite Alerting News

The new Ocean Signal E101V float-free EPIRB with integrated voyage data recorder (VDR) memory capsule is designed according to the latest VDR performance standards as a leading solution for commercial vessels of 3000+ gross tonnage. Developed in collaboration with VDR specialist AMI Marine, the E101V is Cospas Sarsat and MED certified and approved to IEC61097-2 as a float-free EPIRB with built-in memory capsule. Enabling ship owners and operators to meet new mandates for VDRs as defined by IMO Resolution MSC.333(90), the Ocean Signal device can be easily integrated with a vessel’s VDR, a vital on-board system which helps to identify the cause of any accident…

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) recently announced that the International Cospas-Sarsat Program plans to terminate the 121.5/243 MHz satellite alerting on February 1, 2009. The U.S. National Search and Rescue Committee, the International Maritime Organization, and the International Civil Aviation Organization has requested the termination of this program due to the high number of false alerts and the negative impact on 121.5/243 MHz emergency beacon users and search and rescue responders. The intended effect of this action is to migrate the public from the 121.5/232 MHz emergency beacons to the more reliable and accurate emergency beacons operating at 406 MHz.