HOT TOPIC

HOT TOPIC We discuss important topics with marine industry experts who share their opinions and top tips to help you get the most from your boating.

SAVING LIVES WITH

Tom Harrop, marine brand manager at Exposure OLAS, discusses the prevention of life-changing accidents with simple wearable technology.

who fortunately were nearby. Had he been alone, his situation could have been very grim. Cordless kill switch It is no surprise that RIB drivers and out of his RIB, then saw how hard it was to coaches, such as Marc Pickel, are adopting save and recover him and try to stop the RIB systems like the OLAS Guardian from that was still circling round at high speed.” Exposure, a compact wearable technology, Karol Jablonski, a former America’s no bigger than a wristwatch, that acts as Cup helmsman and World Match an instant wireless kill switch. Racing Champion, is no fool. However, Driven by the ‘smart phone and smart he admits on this occasion he was ‘that’ home’ market, low energy Bluetooth fool explaining: “I was sitting in neutral, technology has become stable enough unclipped [from the killcord] and turned to enable engine cut-off within seconds, around to video the start of a 49er race. whilst remaining fully connected as crew When I finished filming, my camera arm move around vessels up to 50ft. dropped down and touched the throttle, The cordless kill only lightly. The next moment, the boat switch works by sending accelerated and I was in the water.” a regular stream of The following chilling tale is one we As the RIB started to circle and he saw Bluetooth transmissions assume only happens to ‘other people’ and the bow of the boat heading directly from the battery-powered shows how even the most experienced towards him, Karol managed to use his wrist tag to a small boaters can make mistakes. We are, after arms to push himself away from the waterproof receiver wired all, only human. Yet now, developments in centreline of the boat. From the vicious into the boat’s kill switch technology mean this incident would have chop that whirred past him, he estimates ceased to be a problem within seconds. the propeller missed his elbow by a

In 2019, respected German Olympic few centimetres. coach, Marc Pickel, witnessed fellow Polish Karol Jablonski was lucky. He was coach narrowly miss instant death. eventually rescued and his rampaging,

Marc explained: “I saw Karol Jablonski fall driverless RIB stopped by other coaches, ATS brokerage DPS FEB edition:Layout 1 29/01/2021 11:50 Page 1

system. As soon as this signal is lost, it stops the engine within two seconds and sounds a piercing alarm.

Easy and discreet to fit, it can be used alongside a physical kill cord too. It means if you unclip to walk around the boat, you are still protected, even if you forget to physically clip back on again. The entire crew, including the dog, can be tagged. The engine will stop if anyone leaves the boat, and it can be restarted after five seconds to perform a rescue.

The Guardian also activates a loud audible reminder if you have forgotten to tag in or switch your tag on when you get on board, something a passive physical kill cord simply cannot do.

Marc Pickel concluded: “The OLAS Guardian should become the standard for all RIB/powerboat drivers. Previously I tried an extended kill cord rope but it would tangle up and pull out. Wearing OLAS like a watch, you are still connected to the wireless kill switch and you are safe.” You can watch an handy video illustrating the OLAS Guardian at: youtu.be/kzBJf1na3s4. exposureolas.com

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‘APPY DAYS RYA SafeTrx, the download that could save your life.

The app is free and is a great aid to safety afloat

Picture the scene – it is a perfect However, one of your friends day to be out on the water and registered your trip on the RYA SafeTrx you are sailing on a small sea- app before you set off and is already going day boat with friends. requesting assistance using the You passed Brancaster 15 minutes ago emergency icon. on your way to Wells-next-the-Sea The app has alerted HM Coastguard on the North Norfolk coast when one and sent details of your trip to them of your friends is suddenly feeling including your track. The Coastguard breathless and unwell, and you suspect now know your location, how many they may be having a heart attack. In people there are on board and are this situation you swiftly begin to notice already tasking the Search and Rescue an increasing feeling of concern and an Services to airlift your unwell friend unnerving notion of isolation. to land. ATS brokerage DPS FEB edition:Layout 1 29/01/2021 11:50 Page 2

With the best planning, sailing experience and weather forecasts, the totally unexpected can still happen when undertaking any trip – no matter how short.

How does it work? The RYA SafeTrx app is for both Android and Apple iOS smartphones and allows you to track your journey on your phone.

You can enter your journey details directly from your smartphone and plan a trip knowing that should you not

You can track your journey on your phone arrive by the time given, a nominated emergency contact will be alerted and advised to initiate appropriate action.

When an emergency contact calls HM Coastguard about an overdue trip or the emergency icon is pressed, the Coastguard will have access to your location and SafeTrx trip data through a secure SafeTrx server.

Whilst components of the GMDSS system remain the preferred means for communication and distress alerting, the app is a useful backup, particularly helpful for those on small craft who may not have the ability to carry standard GMDSS equipment.

More than a mobile vessel tracking app The app provides all recreational boat users, particularly dinghy cruisers, PWC users, RIB users, canoers, kayakers, wind and kite surfers with an easily accessible and simple to use means that can inform HM Coastguard of their voyage plans and location in the event of distress.

RYA SafeTrx is more than a mobile vessel tracking app, it is also a practical tool that provides safety information and the knowledge to be safer at sea. The explorer function provides weather information, port and marina contact details and VHF details based on your location when on the water.

You can also share your journey and individual trip statistics, such as average speeds and distance, with friends and family on Facebook. How do I download RYA safetrx? The app is freely available to anyone who wants to be safer afloat and there are no charges to use it. To download the app or to find out more information visit the Safety Hub on the RYA website: www.rya.org.uk/ knowledge-advice/safe-boating/ Pages/hub.aspx.

There, you will also find a handy list of answers to users’ Frequently Asked Questions and a user guide.

For those who do not want to use the app, but wish their vessel’s details to be available to HM Coastguard should you ever need assistance, there is the option to register an account and vessel details online at safetrx.rya.org.uk.

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