Ocean Signal appoints Australian distributor

UK-based company Ocean Signal, which specialises in communications and safety at sea, has announced the appointment of All Sat Communications as its new distributor in Australia.

The Melbourne-based company, specialising in satellite communications, will have exclusive responsibility for marketing and supplying Ocean Signal’s personal locator beacon to the outdoor, marine, aviation and industry-based markets.

The rescueME PLB1 is said to be the world’s smallest personal locator beacon, weighing just 116 g and with dimensions of 77 x 51 x 32.5 mm. It is designed to be small and light enough to carry or attach to clothing for instant access to emergency services at the press of a button.

As well as being a marine safety device, the product is also a suitable safety aid for a variety of land-based sports, as well as for flying. It has been designed to withstand the harsh marine environment and is waterproof up to 15 m, with an operating life of around 30 h even at -20°C.

Ocean Signal is targeting Australia as a key region for the product and is planning to increase awareness across sectors encompassing recreational, government and corporate users. According to Ocean Signal Managing Director Alan Wrigley, “Australia is a huge market for the rescueME PLB1 for all kinds of outdoor activities and also for workers in industries such as oil and mining who may be working in very remote regions.”

All Sat Communications Manager Ian Veitch said the company was “immediately attracted” to the rescueME PLB1, saying, “Its size and features make it a very attractive safety product within the marketplace. It is much in demand by lone and remote workers in particular and for reasons of occupational health and safety in general, as well as by anyone travelling or participating in any outdoor activity.”

The product provides three methods of communicating the location of a survivor to search and rescue services: the designated 406 MHz Cospas-Sarsat satellite system with position provided by a 66-channel GPS; a 121.5 MHz homing beacon; and a high-intensity (1 candela) strobe light.