Innovative new digital PLB for offshore workers

The innovative Mobilarm V100 Digital PLB is being shown to the European offshore industry for the first time at Offshore Europe 2009. This follows field trials which took place in the North Sea during July 2009.

The V100 is a fully automated Marine Survivor Locating Device, which transmits a man overboard (MOB) distress alert via VHF DSC and in a synthesized voice on the VHF emergency channel to all VHF radio equipped vessels and land based receivers within range, including the distressed mariner’s vessel.

The pocket-sized V100 is attached to clothing or lifejackets and will automatically activate when the wearer has gone overboard, sending out the initial ‘Mayday, Man Overboard’ alert via DSC data on channel 70. As soon as a GPS lock is obtained by the integrated 20 channel GPS receiver, typically within 45 to 60 seconds, the device transmits the distress call again, complete with position coordinates. The message is repeated at regular intervals to update the rescuers on the current position of the person in the water, which continues until the device is deactivated; the Mobilarm V100 battery will support transmission for 12 hours in normal conditions. The device can also be activated manually and is secure against accidental activation. In addition the Mobilarm V100 incorporates a strobe light to assist in visual locating of the casualty.