PHOTO COURTESY OF ACR ELECTRONICS AND OCEAN SIGNAL
Ahead of IMO’s 2022 mandate surrounding EPIRB (Emergency Position-Indicating Radio Beacons) requirements for vessels under SOLAS regulations, ACR Electronics and Ocean Signal have announced the development of new EPIRBS that meet upcoming standards and incorporate features to enhance the chance of rescue in an emergency.
Set to be released in time for the July 1 mandate, the new EPIRBs include integrated AIS (Automatic Identification System) for the first time. AIS ensures a signal will be received by all vessels and aircraft within the vicinity equipped with AIS.
“We are delighted to confirm that ACR Electronics and Ocean Signal are in the final stages of developing and testing next generation EPIRBs which will offer much more than the newly mandated technology,” explains Mikele D’Arcangelo, vice president of global marketing and product management for ACR Electronics. “The feedback and demand from our customers about the features they want are clear, so we have listened and incorporated innovations within our new EPIRBs that will set new standards in the industry. These beacons will meet all regulatory requirements and offer the leading EPIRB solution for all vessels.”
The updated IMO Maritime Safety Committee EPIRB regulations require vessels under SOLAS regulations to fit a new EPIRB with additional AIS locating signal and internal GNSS receiver, along with 406 MHz and 121.5 MHz transmitters when current devices are due for replacement. Non-SOLAS vessels can continue to install EPIRBs permitted under national regulations.
To learn more, visit acrartex.com.
