Ocean Signal Signs Partnership With Leading Life Jacket Manufacturer International Safety Products

Ocean Signal has announced an exciting new partnership with International Safety Products (ISP) – one of the world’s largest manufacturers of inflatable life jackets.

Merseyside-based marine firm ISP will handle all UK distribution for communications and safety at sea specialist Ocean Signal after the deal was finalised this week.

Ocean Signal, who is introducing its rescueME PLB1, the world’s smallest personal locator beacon*, at this year’s London Boat Show, has also developed the highly-acclaimed SafeSea® range of products which provide all essential handheld communication devices required in an emergency situation.

ISP will have key responsibility to increase UK sales of Ocean Signal’s product range and build on the success of a portfolio which has already ensured the company has quickly become a leading global brand in communication and safety at sea.

“We are delighted to announce the partnership with ISP to distribute Ocean Signal’s products in the UK,” said Alan Wrigley, Managing Director of Ocean Signal.

“As one of the world’s leading manufacturers of marine life jackets and providers of marine safety equipment, they have the knowledge and experience of the industry to strengthen our position in the UK market. They also have the contacts and understanding in the commercial sector to increase our presence in this area.

“They understand the responsibility of producing a life-saving product and are proud to be a British manufacturer.”

The latest announcement by Margate-based Ocean Signal follows the December deal with True Heading as their distributor for Sweden and the summer appointment of Lusty and Blundell as its dedicated country distributor for New Zealand.

ISP makes up to 150,000 life jackets each year and also delivers marine survival equipment, including specialist tactical vests and waistcoats, Intrepid immersion suits and inflatable liferafts.

The Bootle firm, which last year supplied hundreds of life jackets for volunteers at Olympic sailing events, was bought in 2008 by co-directors John Rogers and Geoff Billington and employs more than 100 people with a turnover exceeding £7M.

Mr Billington said the partnership marked the coming together of two well respected British marine brands. “We are extremely pleased to have struck this deal with Ocean Signal which has a first class reputation for delivering communication products for safety at sea,” he commented.

“It is a delight to be working with an experienced, customer focused and progressive firm with a very similar outlook to ourselves. There is a strong demand for its pioneering products. It feels like a natural fit amongst our broader range of marine safety equipment and we revel in the prospect of becoming its sole UK supplier.”

Ocean Signal’s SafeSea® portfolio, consisting of the E100/E100G Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRBs), the S100 Search and Rescue Transponder (SART) and the V100 survival craft hand portable radiotelephone, are highly reliable and easy-to-use GMDSS products, each with unique industry-leading features.

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.

For further information on the new rescueME PLB1 and the full range of products available from Ocean Signal please visit Stand B103 at the London Boat Show. Alternatively, please go to www.oceansignal.com.

*Compared to other products approved to recognised maritime standards (October 2012)