Man overboard! Hugo “The Sailing Frenchman” takes no chances when it comes to safety!
Hugo is an experienced skipper and adventurer who regularly takes part in regattas and guides his viewers through his everyday sailing life in his videos. He knows precisely what can happen in an emergency at sea, such as a crew member going overboard. An incident like that can happen quickly, which is why it is important to be prepared for the worst.
"Whether alone or in a group, a dangerous situation can quickly arise at sea" explains Hugo. For his new video, SVB has therefore kitted him out with essential safety equipment that he can use to call for help in an emergency. If a crew member goes overboard, rapid response is the most important factor for a rescue.
In his video, Hugo explains the functions of two marine distress beacons, which are essential for the prompt rescue of a person in the water. The first lifesaver that Hugo always carries with him is the rescueMe AIS-MOB1. When triggered, this distress transmitter sends signals to all neighbouring boats and ships with an AIS receiver so that they can initiate rescue measures. They then receive the position of the MOB to an accuracy of 2 metres.
Hugo also always has the rescueMe PLB1 distress beacon on his person. Perfect for offshore sailing in unfrequented waters, the rescueMe PLB1 distress beacon transmits information about your crew and voyage as well as the position of the distress call to over 200 countries when triggered so that help can be sent. It is particularly important to register the emergency transmitter before use so that it can be assigned to the person who will be wearing it.
Although each of these two systems provides a high level of safety on their own, Hugo recommends wearing not just one, but both emergency alert systems on your person - and in different items of clothing. After all, who hasn't been in the situation where if it gets too warm or you are below deck for a short time, you take off your jacket, and now your marine transmitter is no longer close by!
Before setting off on your next cruise, you should always find out what options you have for sea rescue and get the right equipment to ensure you always sail safely!
„Be safe! Get a personal AIS MOB!“ - The Sailing Frenchman
PLB vs. AIS MOB: Overview of the two rescue systems
PLB: PLBs are personal locator beacons that can be worn by individuals to transmit their position in an emergency. They also transmit a distress signal via satellite, but can be activated manually and are therefore ideal for personal use. In order for a PLB to be assigned to its owner, it must be registered prior to operation. Wearing a PLB as a safety system on board is an absolute must.
AIS MOB: An AIS MOB uses an AIS signal to transmit the position of a person who has fallen overboard (MOB) to all ships that are equipped with an AIS receiver over an area of several miles. An AIS emergency transmitter determines the exact position of the person in the water using its integrated GPS and relays this constantly. The recipient of the AIS emergency signal receives this on his/her AIS receiver/plotter displayed as a special emergency SART symbol. An AIS MOB is a useful addition to the PLB.
