U SAFE UK DISTRIBUTOR

can’t get vessels and small boats to recover conscious people.”

The product comes in three colours – the standard fluorescent orange, white (which is suitable for the luxury boat market) and yellow which is for the commercial sectors.

The U SAFE charges whilst housed on the supplied stand and immediately activates when thrown into water.

Weighing 13.7kg and capable of travelling up to 5.9km on a single charge, the U SAFE can reach speeds of 15kph. It has a rechargeable lithium ion battery and connects via Bluetooth or WiFi.

This, together with Ocean Signal’s rescueME EPIRB3 and SafeSea EPIRB3 Pro are now approved for the UK and Europe and available to ship.

The PLB3, for personal use, and EPIRB3, for a boat, combine long and short-range detection technologies - the global response capabilities of the Cospas-Sarsat rescue services and AIS technology to alert nearby vessels for immediate aid.

The beacons integrate GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) positioning, 406 MHz Cospas-Sarsat distress signal, 121.5 MHz local homing signals and AIS transmission.

Designed to be installed within a life jacket, the rescueME PLB3 is capable of automatically activating upon inflation and also offers visible and infrared strobe lights for final location in low visibility rescues.

The EPIRBs have a ten-year battery life.

The rescueME EPIRB3 is available with a Category II manual release bracket and the SafeSea EPIRB3 Pro comes with the Category I auto release, float-free bracket providing full IMO regulatory compliance for SOLAS vessels.

ACR unveils new PLB

Safety and survival firm ACR Electronics has developed a new personal locator beacon (PLB).

The ResQLink AIS PLB with integrated man overboard alert combines Cospos-Sarsat’s 406 MHz satellite rescue services with AIS signals from nearby vessels.

“Our new PLB gives boaters the best chance of alerting others to a distress situation,” said Mikele D’Arcangelo, vice president of global marketing and product management for ACR.

“This next generation device provides our customers with the most advanced technology, plus the innovative design, functionality, features and ease of use that they expect from ACR Electronics.”

Designed to automatically activate when used with a compatible life jacket, the beacon links with emergency services, integrating satnav positioning, 406 MHz, 121.5 MHz RDF signals and AIS transmission, as well as Galileo Return Link Service technology.

The PLB transmits an AIS man overboard signal that can be picked up by any AIS equipped vessels within VHF radio range along with a 406 MHz distress signal picked up by satellite. It also features a 121 MHz homing signal, plus visible and infrared strobe lights.

The AIS also features near field communications allowing users to monitor their beacons, review selftest results, view GNSS test locations, monitor beacon performance and maintenance through the ACR Electronics app. The device, which is awaiting regulatory approval before it comes to market, is MEOSAR compatible and capable of operating for 24 hours with a five-year battery life.

International sales for Baltic Lifejackets have exceeded domestic sales for the first time since the company was founded in 1977.

The company has seen an increase in exports to France, Portugal, Spain, Italy and Holland with both the commercial and leisure ranges.

More than 56% of the lifejackets, buoyancy aids and flotation clothing manufactured across Europe are now exported from Sweden.

The company launched several new products at METSTRADE 2022 as part of its Baltic Environment Initiative range.

The initiative has been developed to put the environment first, using 100% recycled materials where the standards allow.

In addition, the manufacturing process emits 24% less CO2 than Baltic’s traditional range, with the company aiming to have 50% of the Baltic range