MOB device makes European debut at Seawork

Ocean Safety, the well established UK marine safety equipment supplier and a main reseller for Mobilarm in the UK, will display the V100 VPIRB and be on hand to explain the many benefits of this innovative personal device for man overboard detection, on Stand 39 throughout Seawork.

‘This new technology is the perfect fit for our extensive range of marine safety products and services, and we are very confident that the V100 VPIRB will gain a lot of attention during Seawork, said Ocean Safety managing director Charlie Mill. ‘VPIRB is a new term in marine safety, but one that we expect to see much more of in the future thanks to the many benefits that the Mobilarm V100 can provide.’

The Mobilarm V100 VPIRB is a fully automated, Marine Survivor Locating Device that transmits a MOB distress alert via VHF DSC and in a synthesized voice on the VHF emergency channel to all VHF radio equipped vessels and land based receivers within range, including the distressed mariner’s vessel. The pocket sized VPIRB is attached to clothing or lifejackets and will automatically activate when the wearer has gone overboard, sending out a Mayday message and real time GPS coordinates of the casualty’s current position.

When the V100 detects that the wearer is in the water, it automatically sends out the initial ‘Mayday, Man Overboard’ alert via DSC data on channel 70. As soon as a GPS lock is obtained by the integrated 20 channel GPS receiver, typically within 45 to 60 seconds, the device transmits the distress call again, complete with position coordinates. The message is repeated at regular intervals to update the rescuers on the current position of the person in the water, which continues until the device is deactivated. The Mobilarm V100 battery will support transmission for at least 12 hours in normal conditions. The device may also be activated manually and is secure against accidental activation. It also incorporates a strobe light to assist in visually locating the casualty.

Because the Mobilarm V100 VPIRB uniquely uses the VHF band to raise an alert and provide position, it does not require any new onboard infrastructure or equipment to provide enhanced personal safety nor does it interfere with or suppress other beacon transmissions, such as a vessel’s EPIRB. As long as a VHF radio is onboard, no other equipment need be installed. Unlike 121.5 MHz direction finding beacons and satellite locating systems, which demand dedicated receiving base stations, direction finding equipment or satellite time rental, the V100 uses only existing industry standard VHF marine radio networks. This means that any marine worker can choose to protect themselves regardless of whether other MOB safety systems are in use or not.

‘Man overboard is the single largest cause of marine fatalities and the time a casualty spends in the water is directly related to their chance of survival, said Lindsay Lyon, CEO of Mobilarm. ‘The Mobilarm V100, which is the smallest and lightest personal MOB device of its kind currently on the market, enables faster rescue because it immediately alerts all vessels within VHF range. As a stand alone device that requires no specialist training either to use or to respond to, the Mobilarm V100 means that any mariner can choose to secure themselves in case of an MOB incident, no matter where they are working.’