Ocean Signal Presents Product Range at Workboat

Marine communication and safety specialist Ocean Signal presents its SafeSea range of products plus the world’s smallest personal locator beacon at this year’s International Workboat Show, through U.S. and Canada distributor Datrex Inc.

The SafeSea products provide all essential handheld communication devices required in an emergency situation, while Ocean Signal’s rescueME PLB1 is ideal for the commercial market as it can be carried easily and unobtrusively by workers on tug boats, patrol vessels and other workboats.

SafeSea E100G Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB)
The SafeSea E100G EPIRB has the longest quoted operational battery life in the industry with enough capacity to operate the EPIRB continuously, typically for four whole days, even using the E100G with GPS fix.

Used to alert search and rescue services in the event of an emergency at sea, Ocean Signal’s EPIRB features intuitive operating controls and is very easy to operate, even in a stressful environment.

Careful design and highly efficient transmitter circuits have ensured the product has the longest quoted operational battery life in the industry. In addition, SafeSea EPIRB batteries, which are classified as non-hazardous for shipment, can be replaced by the user, eliminating the need to return the unit to the manufacturer or agent when batteries need changing.

The E100G is fitted with a 50-channel, integral GPS. This not only improves location accuracy, but also significantly reduces the time taken for the position to be transmitted to the rescue authorities. Certified for use on-board all European and US-registered vessels, the SafeSea E100G is a Cospas–Sarsat EPIRB operating in the 406MHz satellite band.

SafeSea S100 Search and Rescue Transponder (SART)
The SafeSea S100 SART is designed to assist in the rescue and recovery of liferafts and survival craft and transmits a series of pulses which provide a bearing.

A dedicated radar transponder which complies with IMO SOLAS regulations, the S100 SART has a user replaceable battery which is classified as non-hazardous for shipment and gives 96 hours operation in standby, plus a further 12 hours being interrogated. The SafeSea SART is waterproof to a depth of 10 metres and operates between -20° C to +55° C.

SafeSea V100 hand-held radio
The SafeSea V100 survival craft hand portable radiotelephone is ultra-rugged and easy to use, both on-board and in distress situations.

It is a fully-featured GMDSS radiotelephone which exceeds GMDSS environmental requirements. With ergonomic design, durable laser etched keypad, high contrast backlit LCD and backlit keys, the radio is supplied with all the 21 international simplex channels required.

The emergency Lithium primary battery offers unique features such as the battery protection tab which avoids inadvertent use. Only when the tab is broken off will the battery operate the radio, ensuring the pack is at full capacity when needed. A highly efficient transmitter helps to maximise the battery life giving significant improvement over other products on the market.

rescueME PLB1
Easy to use and 30% smaller than other personal locator beacons, the rescueME PLB1 is ideal for a range of applications in the commercial market. It has a unique mounting cradle that can be easily fitted to a life jacket or belt and will not impede any activity, while providing instant access to emergency services at the press of a button.

As reliability is critical, the PLB has been designed to withstand the harsh marine environment. The PLB1 is waterproof up to a market-leading depth of 15m, with an exceptional operating life of 30 hours (typical) even at -20C.

Once activated, the PLB1 provides three methods of communicating the location of a survivor to search and rescue services – the designated 406MHz Cospas-Sarsat satellite system with position provided by a 66 channel GPS, a 121.5MHz homing beacon, plus high intensity (1 candela) strobe light.

With dimensions of 3in (77mm) (height), 2in (51mm) (width) and 1.3in (32.5mm) (depth) and weighing 4.1oz (116g), Ocean Signal’s PLB is easily activated with one hand by extending the antenna, flipping up the protective cover and pressing the button.

Ocean Signal Managing Director Alan Wrigley said: “The rescueME PLB1 and our EPIRB in particular meet the needs of all commercial vessels. We are working on several contracts in the commercial market and we are confident we can strengthen our position in this important area over the coming months.”

Datrex Inc, a supplier of high quality lifesaving technologies to the marine industry, has worked with Ocean Signal as its distributor in North America since early 2011.

Safety and communication products from Ocean Signal offer exceptional value, meeting or exceeding international technical and safety standards. Careful design and innovation provides commercial shipping, fishing and recreational users the confidence that their Ocean Signal equipment will work to, and beyond, their expectations when it is needed most.

For more information on Ocean Signal’s products, please go to www.oceansignal.com, or visit Datrex Booth 1161 at this year’s International Workboat Show.