ACR Electronics: METSTRADE - ACR Electronics Announces SurvivorClub Success

METSTRADE, 15^th to 17^th November, Amsterdam, Stand 03.131 Hall 3

Safety expert ACR Electronics, a Drew Marine company, is highlighting the success of its ground-breaking SurvivorClub initiative at this year’s METSTRADE.

The latest figures announced this year confirm that more than 160 people who have activated an ACR Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB), Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) or ARTEX Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT) in a life-threatening emergency have now joined SurvivorClub.

The program provides a free replacement beacon for all its members and helps to provide compelling, first-hand evidence that 406 MHz beacons should be part of every boater’s safety kit.

Established and monitored by safety and survival expert ACR just a few years ago, SurvivorClub uses a testimonial-based educational approach by publishing first-hand stories from real-life survivors who have activated their beacons.

Some amazing and inspiring stories of survival have featured in the club from people of all ages and from regions ranging from the Florida coastline near to the ACR headquarters and across the United States, to Puerto Rico and Canada, to England, with numerous rescues from New Zealand and Australia. Many of the survivors were hiking or hunting in remote areas, or fishing, boating or sailing in a range of different scenarios, with several crew members or short-handed.

All the survivors have come forward to share their story, raise awareness about safety equipment and best practices, and, in some cases, try to prevent anyone else making the same mistakes. When possible, the used beacons are mounted on a plaque which is presented to the store where the beacon was originally purchased to serve as real-life testimony.

Mikele D’Arcangelo, Marketing Director for ACR Electronics, said: “Although we design and supply our beacons to provide reassurance and make sure people have access to a reliable device should the worst happen, at the same time we hope that these products are never required. We never like to hear about an emergency situation, but we are still very proud that our products are making a difference to so many people. SurvivorClub continues to be an incredible educational resource and we know it is only made possible by our survivors. They voluntarily share their stories in the hopes of educating others of what can go wrong and why it is so important to be prepared with a safety plan and a properly registered distress beacon.”

Members of ACR SurvivorClub include the following:

• Portland, UK, fisherman Simon Jones was rescued after activating his ACR Electronics ResQLink Personal Locator Beacon. He was putting a new engine through sea trials for the first time on his 19-foot Fast Worker 19 when he could not restart it. He said: “I always have my PLB when I go out in the boat and encourage everyone to do the same. It is a very small cost for a device which can make such a big difference. We were very grateful that our PLB worked.”
• Dylan Holzheimer fell from a cliff while spear fishing at Taiharuru Bay, north of Kennedy Bay, near Auckland. A friend activated his ACR Electronics ResQLink Personal Locator Beacon and rescue services arrived by helicopter within an hour. John Walker, Coromandel Fire Brigade chief, said: "I just thought it was a great piece of forward thinking. It doesn't matter if two calls go to the same place, it's just getting there and getting there quickly. It’s great because there's a need for them [PLBs]. We're an isolated spot and cell phones don't always work.”
• Jacksonville Beach resident Ryan Frauenehim was fishing in his 26-foot Sea Fox Commander with three friends about 45 miles offshore when both engines failed. Ryan activated his ACR ResQLink Personal Locator Beacon and, within minutes, a Navy vessel and Coast Guard helicopter were on the scene to assist. He said: “Without my ACR PLB and awesome military, I truly believe we were heading in a deadly situation. Thank you ACR for making such great product! We are truly grateful.”

SurvivorClub is a former winner of the Neptune Award for Marketing Innovation within the marine industry, presented by the Marine Marketers of America. The success of SurvivorClub is celebrated during a landmark 60^th anniversary year for ACR Electronics.

Read real-life testimonies can be viewed at https://www.acrartex.com/survivor-club/. For more information on ACR Electronics’ beacons and other safety equipment, go to https://www.acrartex.com/.

Ends

Social media notes:

• For sharing this content on social media please tag ACR’s social media accounts and use #Isurvived #EPIRB or #savedbythebeacon in your post.
• If you require images such as: survivor photos or product shots, please reply to this email with your request.
• Proposed text for your post: ACR Electronics celebrates more than 160 members joining SurvivorClub

For further information, please contact:

ACR Media Relations

Mikele D’Arcangelo or Nichole Kalil

Tel: +1 954-862-2115/2180

E-mail: nichole.kalil@acrartex.com

www.acrartex.com

or

Saltwater Stone

Jules Riegal or Clive Bartlett

Tel: +44 (0)1202 669244

E-mail: j.riegal@saltwater-stone.com

www.saltwater-stone.com