Press release -
Ocean Signal AIS EPIRBs Receive FCC and USCG Approval
Miami International Boat Show, February 15th to 19th, Miami Beach Convention Center, Booth MB3014
Ocean Signal’s new Category I and II AIS EPIRBs are approved in the U.S. and will be introduced to U.S. boaters for the first time at this year’s Miami International Boat Show.
Combining the power of the latest safety technologies, the next generation Cospas-Sarsat certified Ocean Signal rescueME EPIRB3 and SafeSea EPIRB3 Pro units have now received the equipment authorization from the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and approval from the U.S. Coast Guard.
The beacons significantly increase the speed of location and aid for survivors in an emergency, enhancing the chance of rescue for recreational and commercial users, whether cruising, fishing, working or sailing offshore.
The EPIRB3 is available with a Category II manual release bracket. The EPIRB3 Pro comes with the Category I auto release, float-free bracket providing full IMO regulatory compliance for SOLAS vessels.
Carried by a vessel, an EPIRB (Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon) is traditionally activated in a life-threatening event, such as sinking, medical emergencies, collision and accidents, to transmit a 406 MHz distress signal via the Cospas-Sarsat satellite system to contact global rescue services.
Ocean Signal’s new slim, lightweight beacons, with 10-year battery life, include GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) positioning, 406 MHz Cospas-Sarsat distress signal with MEOSAR compatibility and 121.5 MHz local homing signal. The EPIRB3 series is compatible with Return Link Service alerting technology and can provide confirmation that the international satellite system has received a distress message and location.
By incorporating AIS within its beacons for the first time, Ocean Signal can now offer EPIRB3 owners the extra reassurance that other nearby vessels will also be alerted in an emergency. A distress signal will be received by all ships, boats and aircraft equipped with AIS in the vicinity, enabling them to respond with immediate assistance. The EPIRB3 has an infrared strobe, as well as visible light, to facilitate rescue in poor visibility or at night.
The EPIRBs also feature NFC (Near Field Communication) technology for use with the free Ocean Signal mobile app, delivering a new way for beacon owners to monitor their beacons, review self-test results, view GNSS test locations, and monitor beacon performance and maintenance.
Visit ACR Electronics at Miami International Boat Show on Booth MB3014 to view the Ocean Signal EPIRB3 and EPIRB3 Pro.
For more information on Ocean Signal’s range of safety equipment, go to www.oceansignal.com.
Ends
Note for editors:
Mikele D’Arcangelo, Vice President of Global Marketing and Product Management for ACR Electronics and Ocean Signal, is available for one-to-one media interviews on the stand. Please schedule a slot by emailing Jules at j.riegal@saltwater-stone.com
Product images, specification sheets and more information are available here:
rescueME EPIRB3: EPIRB3 - Dropbox; SafeSea EPIRB3 Pro: EPIRB3 Pro - Dropbox
For further information, please contact:
Mikele D’Arcangelo
Ocean Signal / ACR Electronics
Tel: +1 954 862 2115
E-mail: mikele.darcangelo@acrartex.com
Jules Riegal
Saltwater Stone
Tel: +44 (0)1202 669244
j.riegal@saltwater-stone.com
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About Ocean Signal
Communication and safety at sea specialist Ocean Signal™ is driven by its key commitment to saving lives. Setting the highest industry standard in technology innovation and quality of product, Ocean Signal is a worldwide leader in the design and manufacture of satellite and terrestrial emergency rescue beacons based upon VHF/UHF, AIS, DSC, GNSS and battery technologies. Its best-in-class range of survival products includes Emergency Position-Indicating Radio Beacons (EPIRB), Personal Locator Beacons (PLB), Man Overboard (MOB), Search and Rescue Transponders (SART), VHF radios, Automatic Identification System (AIS) transponders, electronic distress flares and more. Ocean Signal products provide maritime, governmental and military, aviation, as well as outdoor users the confidence that their equipment will work to, and beyond, their expectations when it is required most. For more information, go to www.oceansignal.com.
Ocean Signal operates within the ACR Group of companies, which spans a portfolio of brands including ACR Electronics, ARTEX, Bivy, United Moulders Ltd (UML), SKYTRAC, Flight Data Systems, Latitude Technologies, NAL Research, and FreeFlight Systems. As a world leader in safety and survival technologies for over 65 years, ACR Electronics is the foremost development center for emergency beacons, manufacturing and supporting cutting-edge rescue beacons and survival equipment for the marine, aviation, outdoor and military markets. For more information go to www.ACRARTEX.com.