Browsing: MOB

Electronics
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New Cortex Handheld VHF Also Has AIS, Monitoring

Vesper Marine, a New Zealand manufacturer of innovative marine electronics, just introduced what it calls the world’s first VHF radio with touchscreen handsets, an AIS transponder and remote vessel monitoring. The new VHF is called Cortex, and it offers an unprecedented level of boating safety and communication that fits in your hand. “Innovation in AIS technology, touchscreen devices and vessel monitoring has skyrocketed in recent years, but marine VHF hasn’t kept pace and remains an anachronism,” says Jeff Robbins, CEO, Vesper Marine. “Cortex fundamentally changes how you interact with safety communication systems.” In addition to the normal marine VHF radio…

Cruising Life
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Six of the Best Personal Survival Devices for Your Boat. Make Sure You Have One

There are few choices you make about your boat that are potentially more important than finding the right survival device, the personal locator beacon or MOB equipment that could save your life, or the life of anyone else on board. And there’s no reason to postpone getting one or more of these; they generally are the least costly piece of electronics on board, by a long shot. But what to buy? Here’s some advice from Marine Electronics Journal, which asked manufacturers to submit what they consider the best and brightest in their product line. The Journal published a review of…

Cruising Life
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Coast Guard Launches $225,000 Competition for Developing New PFDs

The Department of Homeland Security and the Coast Guard just launched the U.S. Coast Guard Ready for Rescue Challenge, a competition to develop easier ways to find people in the water, with $225,000 in prize money. The idea is to create new ways to find and rescue a man overboard. “Boater safety solutions that harness new designs and technologies can improve the chance of a successful rescue,” said William N. Bryan, from the DHS Directorate of Science and Technology. “New, innovative solutions are critical.” The competition starts with ideas for a new or updated life jacket or PFD, or an…

Cruising Life
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Woman Taking Selfie Falls 15 Decks off a Cruise Ship at Night off the Bahamas. Crew Rescues Her. See Video

A woman taking a selfie fell 15 decks off her cruise ship balcony into the water near the Bahamas at night, but quick action by the captain and crew of the Norwegian Epic liner saved her life. Passengers said they could hear her screaming as she fell. It was about nine at night, with many passengers still eating dinner, when the announcement “Code Oscar portside” came three times over the intercom. The ship, which had been at cruise speed, came to a stop, turned around and launched a tender. Passengers watched as the boat searched in the darkness, using searchlights,…

Gear
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Can This Buoyant Glow-in-the-Dark Rope Save Your Life?

Now here’s something truly new: Buoyant rope that glows in the dark. A man overboard at night? With this rope, which comes in yellow, orange, pink and green,  at least you – and the man overboard – will be able to see the lifebuoy or whatever else you’re throwing his way. Called Night Saver Rope, it’s supposed to be 10 times stronger than standard buoyant rope. Certainly worth a second look: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/glow-in-the-dark-rope-a-lifesaver-at-sea-halifax-maker-says/article33022968/