J N Taylor (Furuno Australia) launches NEW MAN OVERBOARD device

Leading electronics supplier, J N Taylor & Co., will demonstrate the innovative Mobilarm V100 VPIRB (VHF Position Indicating Radio Beacon) on stand A45 at this year’s Sanctuary Cove Boat Show in May. J N Taylor which is based in Perth, introduced the VPIRB concept last year and following an extensive development process, is now in full production of this outstanding life saving device. The VPIRB is designed to provide mariners, both leisure and commercial, with a faster, more efficient and cost effective man overboard (MOB) rescue system than conventional personal locating devices.

The Mobilarm V100 is a fully automated, Marine Survivor Locating Device that transmits a MOB distress call 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 distress call and real time GPS coordinates of the casualty’s current position.

The Mobilarm V100 VPIRB automatically sends out the initial ‘Mayday, Man Overboard’ alarm 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 also incorporates a strobe light to assist in visual homing of the casualty.

All commercial vessels are equipped by law with VHF DSC radio, and while a growing number of recreational vessels carry the capability, in order to ensure that in an emergency as many vessels as possible receive the distress message, the same ‘Mayday, Man Overboard’ alert is simultaneously broadcast in a synthesized voice on VHF marine radio channel 16.

The probability of survival in a man overboard situation is directly related to the length of time the person spends in the water. Conventional marine Personal Locator Beacons must be manually activated to send a signal, which may be difficult or impossible to do if the person is injured or unconscious. Furthermore, 406MHz PLBs transmit their emergency signal to an onshore location, which may introduce preventable delay in rescuing the man overboard and greatly reduce their chances of survival. Sending an emergency signal to nearby vessels, rather than an onshore location, means that the people in the best position to carry out a rescue – the crew aboard the closest vessel - are alerted and deployed almost immediately. This reduces the casualty’s time in the water and represents a quantum improvement in their chances of survival.

The key benefit to the Mobilarm V100 is that as long as a VHF radio is onboard, no other equipment need be installed. Unlike 121.5MHz direction finding beacons and satellite locating systems which demand dedicated receiving base stations, direction finding equipment or satellite time rental, the Mobilarm V100 VPIRB uses only existing industry standard VHF marine radio networks, making it an easy and cost-effective addition to a vessel’s safety equipment and provides individual seafarers with a personal MOB solution regardless that can be used in any marine environment.

The Mobilarm V100 VPIRB is suitable for use in any maritime application and is a highly cost effective, practical life saving device that vastly improves location and recovery in a MOB situation.

See: www.mobilarm.com