Personal AIS (automatic identification system) beacons are a great safety feature for offshore sailors. These devices receive position data via an internal GPS antenna and transmit on AIS VHF channels that vessels within line of sight range (of about 5 miles) can receive. They are small devices - about the size of a PB&J sandwich (how's that for imagery? ;)
An AIS beacon unit typically attaches to your lifejacket, and various models activate (a) by lanyard when the lifejacket deploys or (b) when submerged in water or (c) manually. Once activated, the AIS-enabled B&G chart plotter and the DSC (Digital Selective Calling)-enabled VHF radios on board Mercedes (and other vessels) provide visual and audio alerts and precise continuous bearing and range to the crew overboard. This is more accurate than the person overboard feature on Mercedes' B&G instrumentation because it accounts for drift.
SAIL Magazine provides a nice comparison of the popular AIS beacon products available on the market. Check out https://www.sailmagazine.com/gear/gear-electronic-lifesavers
Here are some of them...
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| McMurdo Smartfind S20 |
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| Ocean Signal rescueME MOB1 |
Pricing is pretty consistent and has been that way since these products began to appear a few years ago. They range in price from $250 to $300, and I have not noticed any discounts off retail. They are apparently popular - some marine outfitters identify their offerings as back-ordered.
The CYC Chicago-to-Mac race committee has listed personal AIS beacons in the "recommended but not required" category in the past but indicated that they would promote to the "required" category in 2021 for all crew members on board. I haven't heard confirmation of this yet, but I'll let you know when I hear more.
Whether someone deems them required or not, Karen and I think that personal AIS beacons are important safety devices for sailing offshore. I decided to purchase two of the Ocean Signal rescueME MOB1 units based on good reviews, performance testing, combined AIS/DSC functionality, battery longevity, security against accidental activation, integrated automatic strobe light, compact size, and mounting options. I got them from Defender.com for $280.
Here, at right, is a picture showing how the device attaches to the inflation tube on an inflatable lifejacket.
Remember that always compellingly-memorable admonition from the Offshore Safety at Sea seminar that Karen and I attended a few years ago about preparedness for crew overboard emergencies - "you go in as you are!" If you don't stay onboard for any reason, we want to find you and get you back onboard!
