A U.S. Coast Guard rescue swimmer practices a retrieval during a drill. Despite the skill and courage of USCG personnel, rescue offshore is an iffy proposition.
Photo courtesy of U.S. Coast Guard
Rescuing someone who goes overboard offshore is always a long shot, but new technologies can help. Here is very informative article that could save your life.
Written by Christopher Birch from SAIL
Coast Guard statistics are sobering. In the six-year period from 2016 through 2021, a total of 1,771 souls fell overboard in U.S. waters, and 64% of them perished.
Any discussion of sailor overboard procedure, equipment, and technology must start with an emphasis on prevention. Good nonskid, plentiful handholds, proper use of tethers, physical fitness, and most importantly, situational awareness, are all essential in keeping crew on the inside of the rail.
Unfortunately, sailors still do fall over the side, and it’s important to consider the current state of the technology available for rescuing them. The bad news is that despite advances, the odds are still heavily against rescue if you fall off the boat. The good news is that technologies continue to evolve with the intention of improving those odds.
Modern 406MHz satellite PLB technology includes GPS location embedded in the distress signal, providing precise victim location for rescuers. Newer equipment is also capable of receiving a return link service signal assuring the victim that the emergency message has been received.
The latest addition from ACR Electronics, the ResQLink AIS PLB, for the first time combines 406 PLB and AIS technologies into one unit small enough to fit in an inflatable life vest and activate when the life vest deploys. It—and an equivalent product made by Ocean Signal for the European market—have both recently won prestigious marine industry awards for their advancements.
So, what should you be wearing on or in your life vest? With the reminder that the absolute first line of defense is to not go off the boat in the first place, let’s take a look at these technologies, how they work, and the systems in place to support them.
The ACR ResQLink AIS PLB activates when a person’s life vest inflates.
Photo courtesy of ACR Electronics
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