OSL Invents World's Smallest Personal Locator

Ocean Signal’s rescueME PLB1, the world’s smallest personal locator beacon, is introduced at this year’s Miami International Boat Show by North American distributor Datrex Inc. It is the first time the PLB has been on display at the Florida show after securing full certification for use throughout America.

Easy to use and 30% smaller than other personal locator beacons, the rescueME PLB1 is unobtrusive and specifically designed to be small and light enough to carry or attach to a life jacket, belt or clothing for instant access to emergency services at the press of a button.

The innovative personal locator beacon is now fully certified for use throughout the United States of America, as well as Europe, after it was awarded the relevant Cospas-Sarsat and product approvals. It has received its type approval certificate by the Cospas-Sarsat Secretariat showing full compatibility with the 406MHz Satellite System and approval has also been granted for use in the USA by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

Ocean Signal Managing Director Alan Wrigley said: “We are delighted that customers in the US have been able to use and appreciate the benefits of the rescueME PLB1 for some months now and pleased to have the product at Miami this year as a fully-certified product.

“It is very satisfying to add this fully-certified PLB to our full range of GMDSS communication and safety products, including the Ocean Signal EPIRB, SART and VHF, which are already available worldwide.”

The rescueME PLB1 has been designed to withstand the harsh marine environment and is waterproof up to a market-leading depth of 15m, with an exceptional operating life of 30 hours (typical) even at -20C.
Once activated, the PLB1 provides three methods of communicating the location of a survivor to search and rescue services – the designated 406MHz Cospas-Sarsat satellite system with position provided by a 66 channel GPS, a 121.5MHz homing beacon, plus high intensity (1 candela) strobe light.

With dimensions of 3in (77mm) (height), 2in (51mm) (width) and 1.3in (32.5mm) (depth) and weighing just 4.1oz (116g), Ocean Signal’s PLB is easily activated with one hand by extending the antenna, flipping up the protective cover and pressing the button.

As with all Ocean Signal products, battery life has been a primary consideration in the development of the rescueME PLB1 with the product’s seven-year battery life reflected in the seven-year warranty.

Datrex Inc, a supplier of high quality lifesaving technologies to the marine industry, has worked with Ocean Signal as its distributor in North America since early 2011.

For more information on Ocean Signal’s rescueME PLB1 and SafeSea® range of products please go to www.oceansignal.com, or visit Datrex Booth M57 in the Main Hall at this year’s Progressive Miami International Boat Show.

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.