Digital Yacht has launched the world’s first dedicated AIS man-overboard alarm system. The system relies on third-party personal AIS devices, such as those by Easy, Kannad Marine and McMurdo. Connect the AIS Life Guard to an onboard AIS transponder or AIS receiver, and you have a fully operational AIS-SART man-overboard system. The AIS Life Guard detects both message 1 and message 14, those reserved for AIS-SART messaging. When an AIS-SART transmission is detected, the Life Guard sounds an alarm and displays a red warning light. The AIS Life Guard is compatible with all Digital Yacht receivers and transponders and the new generation of AIS-SARTs that recently have been approved for global use by the International Maritime Organization. $299.95; digitalyachtamerica.com
The U.S. Coast Guard is asking all boat owners and operators to help reduce fatalities, injuries, property damage, and associated healthcare costs related to recreational boating accidents by taking personal responsibility for their own safety and the safety of their passengers. Essential steps include: wearing a life jacket at all times and requiring passengers to do the same; never boating under the influence (BUI); successfully completing a boating safety course; and getting a Vessel Safety Check (VSC) annually from local U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, United States Power Squadrons(r), or your state boating agency’s Vessel Examiners. The U.S. Coast Guard reminds all boaters to “Boat Responsibly!” For more tips on boating safety, visit www.uscgboating.org.
