The benefits of carrying a Personal Locator Beacon
Ocean Signal has emphasised the importance of carrying a personal locator beacon both at sea and on land after details emerged about three recent rescues involving the company’s versatile rescueME PLB1.
As the world’s smallest personal locator beacon, the rescueME PLB1 is ideal for a range of outdoor activities as it is so easy and unobtrusive to wear. The simple decision to carry the safety product proved extremely worthwhile after this year’s rescues in Australia and New Zealand.
Ocean Signal’s PLB was activated by a group of motorcyclists in the desert, by a lone tourist who had fallen into a river and by a teenage bush-walker. All three distress calls resulted in successful search and rescue operations.
Alan Wrigley, Managing Director of Ocean Signal, said: “For anyone participating in outdoor activities, particularly if it means venturing into remote areas or in dangerous terrain, whether on land or at sea, recreational customers are becoming increasing aware of the advantages and capabilities of safety products.
“The rescueME PLB1 is such an easy and affordable product to include as part of your essential kit and its importance has been proved in these rescues. We are delighted that the outcome was positive in these cases.”
The Ocean Signal rescueME PLB1
About a third smaller than other PLBs, the rescueME PLB1 is ideal for all outdoor activities, including boating, hunting, tramping and cycling. It is easy and unobtrusive to wear, meaning it is always close at hand, even when the wearer is separated from their boat or kayak.
It is simple to activate, using just one hand, even in the most challenging of conditions. Once activated, it will transmit accurate position data from its 66-channel GPS using the designated 406MHz search and rescue satellite communication system, as well as transmitting a 121.5MHz homing beacon which will be received by search and rescue helicopters or vessels for a minimum of 24 hours. The integrated strobe light ensures maximum visibility.
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.