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RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT


MAN OVERBOARD TECHNOLOGY AND THE STORY SO FAR


Marine Rescue


Technologies (MRT) has been at the forefront of the development of personal man overboard technology for almost 40 years and traditional devices used the aeronautical emergency frequency, 121.5MHz. However, with the advent of newer technologies, in particular VHF DSC and AIS, the potential capability has changed dramatically.


REGULATORY STANDARDS Worldwide authorities also recognised potential advances for these devices and began to develop standards to regulate the minimum technical and functional capability. The first of these standards was issued by the US in June 2012. European and other national bodies are also developing standards to regulate new devices; these are expected in 2014.


ADVANTAGES


There are significant advantages to be gained using these systems including much greater accuracy, the ability to locate and track a casualty in real time, and the capability to alert all ships in the area, all of which improves the probability of a successful rescue operation. VHF DSC and AIS are mandatory systems on all ships over 300 tonnes, and routinely used on the majority of commercial vessels.


In 2011 a programme was started to embed this new technology into man overboard devices. The principal was to develop products that would be fully integrated within a life jacket, that would automatically operate on inflation of the jacket, not affect routine work practice, require no intervention from the wearer, significantly improve the probability of survival, and meet existing and future standards.


CHALLENGES


There were many challenges in designing these devices to operate using multiple systems, meeting stringent technical requirements within the new standards, whilst retaining a form factor that would integrate into a life jacket.


It is a natural progression where a risk has been identified that requires the use of a life jacket that an unobtrusive device is included that will alert, locate and track the casualty. The use of VHF DSC and AIS requires GPS, an additional antenna has to be integrated into the device and located to give a clear view of the sky, easy you might think but not when it is less than 0.5m above sea level.


ACHIEVING OPTIMUM PERFORMANCE Through the development and testing programme it was apparent that the position of the device on the life jacket was critical in achieving optimum performance; this varies according to the lifejacket in use. As with all safety appliances annual recertification is necessary.


112 www.windenergynetwork.co.uk


By developing a fully integrated system using modern technology, time to rescue is significantly reduced which increases the probability of survival even in the coldest waters. This technology is currently available in the wider marketplace.


Marine Rescue Technologies


FEATURE SPONSOR


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