New Wireless Man Overboard System
June 2006 ~ Raymarine has launched its first Man Overboard System designed to protect skippers, crew, family and pets. LifeTag is an automatic, wireless Man Overboard device that can be used as a stand-alone system, or integrated via Raymarine’s SeaTalk into a boat’s instrument or multifunction display system
The LifeTag can be worn around the wrist, attached to clothing, or hung from a lanyard. Its size means it is suitable for an adult or child, and can be attached onto a belt loop, or even a pet’s collar. While the tag remains within the wireless range, which is 9m (30 feet) from the LifeTag base station, the tags exchange messages to confirm the crewmember is safely within range. If the tag moves away from the base station, for example by it’s wearer falling overboard, an alarm will sound. The alarm can also be set off manually by actively pressing and holding down the red Man Over Board (MOB) button on the LifeTag for more than three seconds.
Up to 16 LifeTags can be protected by one base station, and the system can be extended with additional base stations for larger vessels. Two LifeTags are provided with each system, with additional LifeTags available from Raymarine.
Operating as a stand-alone system, that is quick and easy to install, the LifeTag base station is powered from the boat’s 12v power supply. Using Raymarine SeaTalk, the LifeTag can also be fully integrated with a vessel’s instrument systems, including the Raymarine C and E series displays, ST60 Plus Graphic and ST290 instrument system. This has the advantage that if the Man Overboard alert goes off, the Raymarine instruments will automatically switch to MOB mode, recording the exact position at which the signal was lost and indicating how to return to that spot. When integrated, the LifeTag base station uses power provided from the SeaTalk network.
The LifeTag has an LED light that indicates its operational status, and is powered using replaceable CR2 Lithium camera batteries. Battery life is around 12 months, equating to over 200 operational hours. When not in use, the LifeTags automatically power off to conserve the battery.
The LifeTag base station is connected to the extra loud external alarm using a simple two-wire connection. The base station also features a secondary output that can be used for activating third-party systems.
The LifeTag system from Raymarine is an affordable, reliable wireless Man Overboard alert system, with the LifeTag base station and two LifeTags costing around £350. Additional LifeTags cost around £55 each.
