Press release -
Ocean Signal: Ocean Signal Joins Forces with Spinlock to Enhance Safety for 2017-18 Volvo Ocean Race Crew
Ocean Signal rescueME MOB1 man overboard device with AIS and DSC and rescueME PLB1 to be integrated with Spinlock custom lifejacket and personal equipment packs
Southampton Boat Show, 15th to 24th September
Ocean Signal’s award-winning rescueME MOB1 man overboard device and rescueME PLB1 Personal Locator Beacon will be integrated with Spinlock’s unique custom designed lifejacket and personal equipment packs for the crews in the Volvo Ocean Race 2017-18 edition.
Communication and safety at sea specialist Ocean Signal has joined forces with Official Race Supplier Spinlock to supply two MOB1s with integrated AIS and DSC and a PLB1 for each Volvo Ocean 65 crew member. Every new Spinlock Volvo Ocean Race lifejacket will be integrated with an Ocean Signal MOB1, plus the Spinlock personal equipment pack will contain an additional MOB1, a PLB1 and also an ACR Electronics Firefly PRO emergency strobe light.
Nick Bice, Chief Technical Development Officer at Volvo Ocean Race, said: “The Volvo Ocean Race is the toughest test of a team in professional sport – and when you're racing at full speed through the places that our sailors go, safety is paramount.
"The integration of Ocean Signal's lifesaving devices into the bespoke lifejacket designed especially around our racers by Spinlock means that our crew can head to the Southern Ocean safe in the knowledge that they have the best possible equipment."
Spinlock designed the custom-made lifejacket as part of an Official Supplier Scheme which has seen the Race work closely with the sailing and marine industry leaders to develop new and innovative products capable of withstanding the toughest conditions on the planet. The new Spinlock lifejacket includes a range of new features but is durable enough to withstand mile upon mile of Southern Ocean slamming as well as lightweight and comfortable.
James Hewitt, Ocean Signal’s Sales and Marketing Manager, said: “All ocean racing can be dangerous, even for the most experienced crew, so we are delighted to provide the crew in the Volvo Ocean Race with our reliable life-saving devices which will provide reassurance that they can be located quickly and recovered if they fall overboard.”
The compact and light Ocean Signal devices can be easily integrated into the lifejackets without hampering crew’s movement. In the event of a person falling into the sea, the rescueME MOB1 is automatically triggered the moment the life jacket is inflated, sending the first alert within 15 seconds. The device transmits an alert to all AIS receivers and AIS-enabled plotters in the vicinity, with the integrated 66-channel GPS ensuring accurate position data is sent back to the boat and any other assisting vessels for at least 24 hours. Secondly, the MOB1 will activate the DSC alarm on the vessel’s VHF radio to alert fellow crew members. The integrated strobe light with moulded lens ensures the survivor is easily spotted in poor light conditions.
Ocean Signal’s rescueME PLB1 is the world’s smallest personal locator beacon and is specifically designed to be small and light enough to carry or attach to clothing for instant access to emergency services at the press of a button. Once activated, the PLB1 provides three methods of communicating the location of a survivor to search and rescue services – the designated 406MHz Cospas-Sarsat satellite system with position provided by a 66 channel GPS, a 121.5MHz homing beacon, plus high intensity (1 candela) strobe light.
The Firefly PRO rescue lights by ACR Electronics are extremely bright, reliable LED strobe lights which ensure the best chance of visually alerting rescue services for accurate location in an emergency.
The 2017-18 fleet sets off from Alicante on 22 October and will race 45,000 nautical miles in search of the trophy.
For further information about Ocean Signal’s products, visit www.oceansignal.com, or visit the Ocean Safety (J272), Cactus (J417), Force 4 (B017/J227) and Marine Super Store (F006) stands at Southampton Boat Show from 15th to 24th September.
Ends
For further information, please contact:
James Hewitt
Ocean Signal
Tel: +44 (0)1843 282930
E-mail: james.hewitt@oceansignal.com
www.oceansignal.com
or
Jules Riegal
Saltwater Stone
Tel: +44(0)1202 669244
E-mail: j.riegal@saltwater-stone.com
www.saltwaterpr.com
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About Ocean Signal
Communication and safety at sea specialist Ocean Signal™ is dedicated to providing the technology and quality of product that will set industry standards.
Ocean Signal’s product portfolio consists of the rescueME range of products, including the rescueME PLB1, the rescueME MOB1, the rescueME EPIRB1 and the rescueME EDF1 electronic distress flare, plus the AIS Alarm Box, and the SafeSea range of GMDSS products, including the E100 and E100G EPIRB, S100 SART and V100 handheld VHF radio, as well as the M100 and M100X professional MSLD and E101V float-free EPIRB with integrated voyage data record memory capsule. They provide both recreational and commercial mariners with simple to use, compact and affordable life-saving solutions. All products are engineered by a highly experienced team of marine electronics professionals.
Ocean Signal products are trusted by high-profile sailors, rowers, surfers and powerboat racing teams. Providing some of the world’s best competitors and adventurers with vital safety and communication devices, the company’s rescueME MOB1 has been selected to enhance safety standards for crew taking part in the Clipper 2017-18 Round the World Yacht Race. Ocean Signal has also sponsored the crew of Simply Fun with rescueME MOB1s, rescueME PLBs and a rescueME EPIRB1 in the 2016 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race, the 16-man crew of Triton with rescueME MOB1s in the 2015 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race,record-breaking sailor Andrea Mura in the single-handed OSTAR race, Mini Transat 2015 solo sailor Lizzy Foreman, Atlantic rowing duo Ocean Valour, Venture Cup offshore powerboat race team Cinzano, kite racer Gina Hewson and canoeist Adam Weymouth.
Safety and communication products from Ocean Signal offer exceptional value, meeting or exceeding international technical and safety standards. Careful design and innovation provides commercial shipping, fishing and recreational users the confidence that their Ocean Signal equipment will work to, and beyond, their expectations when it is needed most.
