Emerald Marine Products’ blog is full of important and relevant information regarding man-overboard recovery, man-overboard alert systems, water rescue training dummies, and more. From our ALERT system and OSCAR water rescue training dummies to our other marine products, learn everything you need to know about our man-overboard recovery products and more. You’ll also find blog posts that describe how weather impacts man-overboard situations and rescue operations, that detail the release information for new Emerald Marine products, and that discuss the benefits of the OSCAR Water Rescue Training Dummy. Check back often to stay current with safety and training procedures—there’s always something new to learn! Or better yet, subscribe to our periodic email newsletter that presents current marine safety industry information and product updates that highlight man-overboard alerting, training and retrieval procedures.
Emerald Marine Products announces a significant advancement in MOB protection: the state-of-the-art ALERT418® Man-Overboard Receiver. Integrating fully with current and first-generation ALERT transmitters, it’s ideal for commercial applications such as workboats, gas and oil platforms, ports and marine terminals, and shoreside construction sites. The innovative device leverages the latest advancements in electronics technology, while maintaining its predecessor’s proven and enviable safety record.
When an ALERT transmitter is submerged, the ALERT418 receiver instantly flashes and sounds a piercing alarm in a wheelhouse or shoreside…
Once again the headline reads, “Man Vanishes from Fishing Boat.” Unfortunately, this story repeats throughout the year. Either a lone fisherman or someone working their watch falls overboard and no one is aware of the situation until far too late.
Recently a 55-year old fisherman from New Bedford, Massachusetts became the latest fisherman fatality due to a fall overboard. This fisherman left behind a wife and daughter. Coming from a family of fishermen, he knew of the dangers of the industry, having…
Recovering someone who has fallen into the water is no easy task, especially if the victim is unconscious or lethargic due to cold temperatures. Training is essential to prepare potential rescuers for how difficult it can actually be. The OSCAR Water-Rescue Training Dummy™ from Emerald Marine Products is used by safety instructors across North America for teaching people what it’s like to retrieve a lifeless, 180 lb. adult.
“It’s definitely eye-opening,” says Alaska Marine Safety Education Association (AMSEA) instructor and US Coast Guard civilian commercial fishing vessel safety examiner Steve Kee. “It drives the point home that it’s not easy…
Safety is important on any boat, even more so when scientists and inexperienced students are working on deck. The School of Oceanography at the University of Washington protects those on board its two research vessels with Emerald Marine Products’ ALERT Man-Overboard (MOB) Alarm Systems™. If someone should fall overboard, an alarm instantly sounds, providing critical extra time for a successful recovery in the cold Pacific Northwest waters and points beyond.
The university purchased ALERT2 systems for its 274′ R/V Thomas G. Thompson and 66′ R/V Clifford A. Barnes. Each is equipped with an ALERT2 Receiver, 18″ whip antenna, seven Transmitters…
Employers who invest in an ALERT418™ Man-Overboard Alarm System from Emerald Marine Products demonstrate a firm commitment to safety for their employees. Workers at marine terminals and construction sites are protected when working around water, especially when out of sight of each other.
The ALERT system also addresses the serious issue of liability. It’s an added layer of protection for both the employee and the company. It can also make recruiting and retaining quality employees easier.
Emerald Marine Products announces the release of the ALERT418™ Man-Overboard Transmitter. Made in the USA, the enhanced unit is based on the company’s proven ALERT2 Transmitter, and is compatible with its Man-Overboard alarm system receiver and portable direction finder.
Designed for working mariners, the ALERT418 Man-Overboard Transmitter is smaller and lighter than its predecessor: only 4.25? L x 1.5? W x 1? D and 3.6 oz. For normal working conditions, it’s worn attached to a PFD. A Spray Tight Pouch is available for wet environments.
Emerald Marine Products (EMP) attended the American Waterways Operator’s (AWO) Summer safety meeting in Pittsburgh on August 16-17th. EMP was pleased to witness a lot of discussion about fall-overboard situations. Specifically, The AWO Safety Committee held a panel of inland fleeting operators who spoke about the unique challenges of fleeters preventing falls overboard. We’d like to share some key learnings we took away from that panel discussion.
There is a lot of hype about an AIS (Automatic Identification System) device as being the solution of a Man-Overboard Alarm device. The truth is, an AIS device is not necessarily the best solution for a Man-Overboard (MOB) situation because of the lag-time associated with its technology. The ALERT2 Man-Overboard System is all about knowing a MOB has occurred in seconds, the greatest chance of rescue is from the vessel the MOB fell from.
Here are the differences:
Event
ALERT2 Man-Overboard Alarm System
AIS
Fall Overboard (event)
Upon immersion the MOB wonders what the heck happened.
Upon immersion the MOB wonders what the heck happened.
MOB comes up for air (+10 sec.)
Luckily MOB is coherent and now above the waves. MOB looking at surroundings trying to get barrings. At this point the ALERT2 is already transmitting to ALERT2 Receiver.
Luckily MOB is alert and now above the waves. MOB looking at surroundings trying to get barrings. Hopefully not panicked, MOB needs to remember how to activate AIS.
What is happening on vessel? (+20 sec.)
ALERT2 Receiver howls and crew take action to search for MOB. If the boat has ALERT2 Receiver wired for engine kill, the boat has stopped moving.
If MOB is successful, AIS is turned on. If first attempt fails, other manual activation may be required. Once activated AIS searches for GPS coordinates.
Search & Rescue (+30 sec.)
Crew on vessel are looking for a visual of MOB. Once sighted, a crew member will lock-on to MOB as others begin rescue.
Once GPS coordinates are located, the transmission to AIS-enabled receiver receives broadcast. Furthermore, the AIS icon may appear on the chart plotter as a vessel, not a MOB – so crew may still not be aware of person overboard.
1 minute has passed
Vessel traveling 6 knots has separated 600 feet from MOB! ALERT2 MOB has either been sighted or ALERT2 Portable Direction Finder is able to home in on signal.
Because of lag-time, MOB will probably no longer be in sight. All rescue will be dependent on following GPS coordinates.
3 minutes have passed
With transmission of alarm automatic, evasive action has commenced and rescue is well on way.
Emerald Marine Products (EMP), manufacturer of the ALERT2 Man-Overboard Alarm (MOB) family of marine safety products for over 18 years, has joined The American Waterways Operators (AWO) as a Sole Proprietor.
There are a dozen products on the market that are identified as fall-overboard locator beacons. Our product, the ALERT2 Man-Overboard Alarm System™ has two functions that differentiate from the other fall-overboard locator beacons on the market.
For a vessel moving 6 knots, a person who has fallen overboard will drift 100 feet in 10 seconds, 600 feet in 60 seconds. In between that 10 and 60 seconds, even on a clear day, they are no longer visible to the crew on the boat they just fell off of. When time is of the essence, ALERT2 is far superior to the…
