Dubious honour of being first rescue by Ocean Signal’s rescueME PLB3 beacon goes to catamaran racers
Seasoned catamaran competitors Theodore Gijsbers and Maud Van Toorenburg have shared their harrowing experience during an open catamaran competition on the Haringvliet in 2023. That’s a large inlet in the North Sea, in the Netherlands. In the process, they have become the first documented rescue using Ocean Signal’s rescueME PLB3 beacon.
Gijsbers says that in treacherous weather conditions, with a capsized catamaran, their survival story underscores the pivotal role their PLB3 played.
The Haringvliet last October was a formidable challenge. Relentless wind fluctuations ranged from 23 to 28 knots, gusts exceeding 30 knots, and there were unusually high waves caused by the wind’s unique 13-degree orientation. These conditions made the environment tumultuous and demanding, pushing the participants to their limits. The intensity reached a critical point when The Blue Heron, Gijsbers and Van Toorenburg’s F18 Nacra Evolution capsized.
“The waves were so unpredictable. We lost our balance and found ourselves suspended in the trapeze behind the boat,” says Gijsbers.
“The catamaran capsized, and although Maud was able to put it upright again, the wind was relentless and propelled the vessel forward. Despite multiple attempts, we found ourselves clinging beneath the catamaran, being dragged through the water. To have any chance, we just had to let go.”
After multiple attempts to climb back onto the catamaran failed, the pair were now out of sight of each other and faced the daunting reality of staying afloat and swimming to shore. But, both survivors independently activated their Ocean Signal rescueME PLB3 beacon, marking the device’s maiden documented rescue.
The rescueME PLB3, which won the 2022 Overall DAME Design Award, proved its mettle. Designed to unite the global response capabilities of the Cospas-Sarsat rescue services with cutting-edge AIS technology, the PLB3 issued an immediate distress alert to rescue authorities while also indicating the exact MOB (Man Overboard) position to nearby vessels.
Floating alone in the northern fairway of the Haringvliet, both survivors made it back to shore where, within just one hour of beacon activation, they were rescued by a nearby participating catamaran who had been alerted by the AIS MOB signal. Theodore Gijsbers and Maud Van Toorenburg credit the PLB3 as their lifeline in the face of adversity.
Ocean Signal says its unwavering commitment to innovation and safety shines through in the PLB3, offering mariners a reliable and effective tool to navigate unpredictable seas safely. There is more information on its website.
The company has launched a ‘survivor club’ on its website. That allows customers who have previously activated their Ocean Signal beacons to share their life-saving stories and connect with a community of fellow survivors.
The DAME Design Awards 2024 is now open for nominations. Recently, DAME Award non-voting secretary Kim Hollamby spoke to MIN about the judging process, top submissions and what the panel really looks for in winning products.
