McMurdo extends its beacon portfolio with the new Smartfind S20 Personal AIS Beacon

SOUTH PETHERTON, U.K. - June 26, 2013 - PRLog -- McMurdo, a business of the Orolia Group (NYSE Alternext Paris – FR0010501015 – ALORO), has announced the launch of its innovative new Personal AIS beacon, the Smartfind S20, produced for the commercial market to assist location and recovery in Man Over Board (MOB) situations by using the latest AIS SART technology.

The Smartfind S20, which is intended to be attached to a lifejacket, is compatible with existing AIS enabled plotters and onboard navigation systems.  The compact, lightweight unit sends structured alert messages, GPS position and a special identity code directly to AIS receivers within approximately a four-mile radius.  A flashing LED light aids location at night.  

A built-in, high precision GPS receiver - which updates every 60 seconds – assures accuracy of the data transmitted from the S20. With precise location, distance and bearing data, fellow crew members (and nearby AIS-enabled receivers) receive all the information they need to locate the position of the person in difficulty and to enable a speedy recovery. The S20 will transmit continuously for up to 24 hours and has a seven year battery storage life. It is made of ultra-durable ABS and is waterproof to five metres.

Ross Wilkinson, General Manager at Orolia Ltd, comments: “ Continual development in AIS-SART technology has resulted in improvement and miniaturisation, enabling McMurdo to develop the S20 as a new addition to our range of AIS products – including the S5 AIS SART for use on Liferafts and the handheld S10 Personal AIS Beacon.  We are thrilled that our constant research and innovation capabilities have allowed us to produce these revolutionary products for the worldwide commercial marine market.”

The Smartfind S20 is available through McMurdo’s network of international distributors, details of which can be found at http://www.mcmurdomarine.com/en/where-to-buy