ACR Electronics launches complete man overboard system

ACR Electronics has combined two of its AIS products to create a kit providing boat owners with a complete man overboard system.

The new ACR Electronics AISLink CB2 AIS package unites the CB2 transponder with two Ocean Signal rescueME MOB1 man overboard beacons, with the aim of promoting a more rapid rescue from either the casualty’s own vessel or other vessels in the vicinity if someone falls into the water.

Integrated within a life jacket, the compact MOB1 communicates with the CB2, as well as boats within about a five-mile range, and provides two methods of rapidly relaying the man overboard’s position in an emergency. It transmits an alert to all AIS receivers and AIS-enabled plotters in the vicinity, and the MOB1 activates the DSC alarm on the vessel’s VHF radio to alert fellow crew members. Crew members are able to track the person’s position during rescue while the integrated strobe light allows the casualty to be seen in poor light conditions.

Designed to offer boat owners increased visibility and navigational safety, ACR Electronics’ Class B SOTDMA AISLink CB2 AIS transponder incorporates the SOTDMA (Self-Organising Time Division Multiple Access) technology, offering increased priority for position reports with no loss or delay of transmission. It has a faster reporting rate and higher output power than standard CSTDMA (Carrier Sense TDMA) Class B units, sending AIS transmissions every five seconds instead of the CSTDMA two transmissions per minute. The unit’s 5W output power, compared to the standard 2W, allows the transmissions to reach further.

Measuring 134mm (height) by 38mm (width) by 27mm (depth) and weighing 90g, the Ocean Signal rescueME MOB1 is 30 percent smaller than similar units on the market. It has been designed to integrate into most lifejackets ready for automatic activation on inflation and sending the first alert within 15 seconds. Operating within a temperature range of -20C and +55C, the rescueME MOB1 has a 24+ hours operational life, a self-test facility and a 7-year battery life.

Mikele D’Arcangelo, Vice President of Global Marketing & Product Management, says: “We want to make the latest AIS technology accessible to more boaters so they can improve onboard safety by simply adding one complete solution to their onboard kit. Even in moderate seas, a visual sighting of a man overboard can be lost extremely quickly. By combining the CB2 Class B transponder and the rescueME MOB1, boat owners have a powerful solution to make sure of rapid rescue when confronted with the frightening scenario of a family or crew member falling overboard.”

The ACR Electronics AISLink CB2 AIS package retails at $999.95.

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