Your Complete Emergency Solution, Now in One Easy-to-Carry Bag

When emergencies strike on the water, every second counts. At Ocean Signal, we’re committed to providing the most reliable and innovative lifesaving technology for mariners around the world. That’s why we’re excited to introduce a brand-new line of Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) and EPIRB Safety Kits with Grab Bags, now available exclusively at www.oceansignal.com.

These all-in-one boating safety kits combine our trusted rescue technology with a durable, waterproof grab bag—making it easier than ever to stay prepared and act quickly in an emergency.

Whether you’re cruising offshore, sailing with family, or fishing in open waters, your safety equipment should be easy to access and ready to deploy. Our new Safety Kits are curated with essential Ocean Signal devices and accessories, all packed into a high-visibility grab bag that floats and protects your gear from the elements.

Each kit is built with real-life scenarios in mind, so you can choose the one that fits your type of boating and risk profile.

The Ocean Signal Safety Kit’s – Now Shipping

PLB1 Safety Kit

The PLB1 Safety Kit is a reliable, budget-conscious emergency bundle for sailors and pilots who operate independently and value lightweight, self-contained safety equipment. Whether you’re making a short coastal hop or flying cross-country over remote terrain, this kit ensures you’re prepared if the unexpected happens.

Ideal for:

• Solo sailors, RYA (Royal Yachting Association) students, weekend coastal cruisers, and professional mariners
• Private pilots
• Adventure travelers, light aircraft owners, and ultralight pilots
• Any mariner without a fixed EPIRB who needs lightweight emergency coverage

EPIRB2 Safety Kit

The EPIRB2 Safety Kit is a smart, streamlined grab bag for sailors who want a no-fuss, regulation-compliant emergency setup built around Ocean Signal’s latest EPIRB with Return Link Service and NFC connectivity. Whether you’re gearing up for your first offshore passage or upgrading an outdated setup, this kit covers the core essentials without overcomplicating things.

Ideal for:

• Sailors prepping for an offshore passage
• Coastal cruisers looking for the safety and protection associated with having an EPIRB onboard
• Crews upgrading safety gear to meet race or insurance requirements
• RYA students and yacht owners without built-in EPIRBs

EPIRB2 Safety Kit Plus

The Ocean Signal EPIRB2 Safety Kit Plus—an essential emergency solution for sailors building their first grab bag. Housed in the rugged, floatable Ocean Signal Grab Bag, this kit includes the advanced EPIRB2 with GPS positioning, Return Link Service (RLS) to confirm your distress signal was received, dual strobe lights (visible and IR), and smartphone diagnostics via NFC. Also included is the powerful EDF2 Electronic Distress Flare.

Ideal for:

• Offshore and coastal sailors looking for a complete safety solution
• Yacht owners preparing for extended passages (maximizing safety without having to meet all Category 0 Offshore Special Regulations)
• Cruisers upgrading from traditional pyrotechnics
• RYA Yachtmaster candidates building a future-proof safety setup
• Crews replacing expired flares with reusable, sustainable alternatives

EPIRB3 Safety Kit

The EPIRB3 Safety Kit is a top-tier, all-in-one safety solution designed for sailors who want the most advanced EPIRB features available—right out of the gate. With AIS, Return Link Service, GNSS positioning, and global Cospas-Sarsat alerting, the EPIRB3 gives solo and crewed sailors a future-proof safety setup from day one. The included grab bag ensures you have a highly visible and buoyant storage solution for your EPIRB3, signal mirror, and whistle, which are included in the kit.

Ideal for:

• Offshore sailors, yacht owners, and ocean cruisers
• Crews preparing for Cat 1 offshore races or bluewater passages
• Safety-conscious skippers seeking top-tier EPIRB tech
• Sailors replacing older EPIRBs with modern, regulation-ready gear

EPIRB 3 AIS Safety Kit Plus

The EPIRB3 AIS Safety Kit Plus is Ocean Signal’s ultimate offshore safety bundle, purpose-built for skippers preparing for ocean races, bluewater passages, or extended cruising with small to medium-sized crews. Combining our most advanced EPIRB, AIS MOB devices, and a full suite of signaling tools, this kit ensures your boat and crew are equipped to meet the highest offshore safety standards.

Ideal for:

• Skippers in races such as: Rolex Fastnet, ARC, Sydney–Hobart, RORC offshore races
• Bluewater passage prep (e.g., Atlantic crossing, Pacific legs)
• Charter or delivery skippers outfitting small to mid-size crews
• Boat owners needing a full, compliant crew-level safety setup
• Offshore anglers

Why a Grab Bag?

A grab bag is a vital part of any safety plan. In the event of an abandon-ship situation or urgent distress, you don’t want to waste time gathering scattered equipment. Our new kits keep everything together, protected, and portable—so you’re always ready to go.

With this exclusive release, we’ve taken the guesswork out of assembling your emergency gear. You get everything you need in one convenient, professionally selected package.

The new Boating Safety Kits with Grab Bag are available only at OceanSignal.com. Quantities are limited, and demand is high—don’t wait to upgrade your emergency readiness.

What about the regulatory requirements, and what is required with regards to Grab Bag contents?

In the UK and Europe, requirements for grab bags or safety kits aboard sailing vessels are typically governed by a combination of:

• RORC (Royal Ocean Racing Club) Offshore Special Regulations
• ISAF/World Sailing Offshore Special Regulations
• National regulations (e.g., MCA for UK)
• Event-specific or race-specific requirements

RORC Offshore Special Regulations (OSR)

RORC events (such as the Rolex Fastnet Race) adhere to the World Sailing Offshore Special Regulations, often with additional requirements. These regulations define standards for offshore yacht racing and include grab bag provisions based on the category of race.

Key Grab Bag-Related Provisions (Typically in OSR Category 1–3 events):

• Grab bag must be readily accessible (often outside the main cabin).
• Must be waterproof, clearly marked, and floatable.
• Should be equipped with essential survival items, typically including:
  • Emergency water and food rations
  • Waterproof torch and batteries
  • EPIRB (registered and ideally AIS-enabled)
  • Flares (SOLAS-compliant)
  • First aid kit (compact)
  • Thermal protective aids or survival blankets
  • Spare handheld VHF (watertight or in waterproof pouch)
  • Knife and signaling mirror
  • Passport/ID copies and boat documents (recommended)
  • Sailing instructions or race-specific emergency protocols
  • Bailer or manual pump (if not already elsewhere in life raft or dinghy)

Reference:
RORC OSR Official Document (PDF) – updated annually.

World Sailing OSR Categories Overview

Depending on the category of race, the grab bag and general safety kit requirements increase:

• Category 0: Trans-oceanic, extended races—comprehensive survival gear required.
• Category 1: Offshore races of extended duration and distance (>24h offshore).
• Category 2–3: Offshore/coastal races with access to safe haven within 12–100 miles.
• Category 4: Inshore—minimal requirements.

Grab bags are generally required for Category 1 and above, recommended for Category 2–3, and not required but wise for Category 4.

UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA)

While the MCA primarily regulates commercial and coded vessels, they provide guidance for private sailors and RYA/MCA-coded charter yachts, which includes grab bag contents if coded for offshore operation.

RYA (Royal Yachting Association) Guidance

For non-racing cruising sailors, RYA recommends grab bags for offshore and even coastal sailing. A typical grab bag should match the expected time before rescue and the number of people aboard.

See:

• RYA Safety Equipment Advice

ISAF/World Sailing’s Life Raft and Grab Bag Recommendations

For vessels with liferafts, grab bags are often a supplementary kit, as liferafts may not carry certain items (or may not be easily inspectable).

Commonly expected grab bag extras:

• Extra drinking water
• Extra flares beyond SOLAS minimums
• Spare batteries/powerbanks
• Satellite communicator (e.g., ACR Bivy Stick)
• PLB for each crew member (outside grab bag)

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Summary Table: Typical Grab Bag Contents for Offshore (Category 1–2)

Item	Requirement	Notes
EPIRB (406 MHz GPS)	Mandatory	Registered and accessible
SOLAS Flares	Mandatory	Parachute, smoke, hand
Handheld VHF (watertight)	Mandatory	With spare batteries
Water (500ml per person minimum)	Mandatory	Can be increased for offshore
High-energy rations	Mandatory	Long shelf life
Thermal Protective Aids	Mandatory	1 per person or group TPA
First Aid Kit	Mandatory	Compact version in addition to main
Waterproof flashlight	Mandatory	With spare batteries
Signaling mirror & whistle	Recommended	Basic signaling tools
Emergency instructions / contacts	Recommended	Laminated sheet
Knife (marine grade)	Recommended	Blunt tip for safety

Event-Specific Considerations

• RORC events publish Notices of Race with additional safety kit requirements.
• Local races (e.g., RYA-organized) may downgrade category based on distance.
• For cross-Channel or Mediterranean races, Category 2 compliance is typical.

Final Recommendations

1. Always consult the OSR for your race category.
2. Ensure your grab bag floats, is waterproof, and is reviewed annually.
3. If sailing privately, adopt Category 2 standards as a good safety benchmark.
4. Consider including tracking and communications devices (e.g., PLBs, Satellite Communicator e.g. Bivy Stick, mobile with float bag) even if not required.

Be prepared. Be seen. Be safe.
Trust Ocean Signal to keep you connected when it matters most.