U.K.-based International Safety Products is launching a series of life jackets fitted with small AIS Man OverBoard systems.
The marine inflatable life jacket manufacturer has partnered with fellow British business and electronic engineering and maritime communications specialist Ocean Signal to integrate the rescueME MOB1 device into three models of life jackets.
The rescueME MOB1 activates automatically when a life jacket is inflated, communicating with boats in a 5-mile radius and linking to a rescue satellite network.
International Safety Products commercial director Geoff Billington said in a statement that this is the first time an Automatic Identification System has been built into an International Safety Products life jacket as a standard design.
The technology now comes fitted inside International Safety Products’s Challenger Worksafe Pro, Interlock 275 and 170 Newton leisure life jackets. The new products will be launched next week at the Marine Equipment Trade Show in Amsterdam.
“Supplying life jackets with standard AIS is a new concept in the leisure and commercial maritime sectors,” Billington said. “We have incorporated the technology into three very separate life jacket models catering for different areas across these markets.”
“The rescueME MOB1 device is an extremely clever piece of kit. It is the world’s smallest AIS Man OverBoard system with a [Digital Selective Calling] transmitter,” Billington said. “DSC is a standard for sending pre-defined digital messages via the medium-frequency, high-frequency and very high-frequency maritime radio systems. It is a core part of the Global Maritime Distress Safety System.”
Ocean Signal managing director Alan Wrigley said the life jackets represent a progressive development for the leisure and commercial marine markets.
“The best chance of rapid rescue if you fall overboard comes from your own vessel,” Wrigley said. “Your crew needs to be immediately aware of the incident and keep track of your position whilst recovery is carried out. Even in the most moderate of seas, it is alarming how quickly a visual sighting of a man overboard can be lost.”
For more information, visit www.ispl.co.uk/lifejackets.
