Archive for July 2008

• 27 July 2008
  BMF hosts useful collaborative meeting with NMEA, BMEA and ICOMIA
  

  The British Marine Federation (BMF) hosted a meeting of the National Marine Electronics Association (NMEA), the British Marine Electronics Association (BMEA) and the International Council of Marine Industry Associations (ICOMIA). The meeting was timed to coincide with a UK visit by the American NMEA and to discuss how to work together to ensure a global education and certification programme for those involved with Electronics installation and maintenance.

  

  Further discussions are planned at METS this year to align the BMET (British Marine Electronics Technician) certification programme with the American CMET (Certified Marine Electronics Technicians) certification programme.

  Image (Pictured L-R) - Nik Parker (BMF), Tony Rice (ICOMIA), Tony Johns (BMEA), Udo Kleinitz (ICOMIA), David Morschhauser (NMEA), Steve Spitzer (NMEA), Sarah Dhanda (BMF) and Paul Holland (Energy Solutions and BMEA)

• 24 July 2008
  Three UK fishermen’s lives saved by McMurdo manufactured MOB Guardian
  

  The lives of three fishermen have been saved thanks to the McMurdo MOB Guardian man overboard and vessel locater alert system. The system was designed by the RNLI in partnership with McMurdo, one of the world’s leading suppliers of emergency distress beacons.
   
  This is the first time that the McMurdo manufactured system has demonstrated its full effectiveness in helping to save lives in a real emergency situation.

  The RNLI, which operates the MOB Guardian, received a vessel overdue alert off Sark at 6pm, Tuesday 24 June, in its Operations Room in Poole, Dorset. After verification the alert was transferred to the agencies responsible for coordinating maritime search and rescue – first to Falmouth Coastguard, who then passed it to the Channel Islands Search and Rescue authority. The RNLI St Peter Port lifeboat from Guernsey was then tasked to search for the missing fishing vessel, FV Guyona.

  Using the last MOB Guardian verified position and taking into account weather and tides, the RNLI lifeboat worked out the likely position of the fishing vessel. At the time the lifeboat was on exercise only 12 miles away from the predicted position and the fishermen were located in a liferaft at 6.50pm, five miles south-southwest of Sark, 25 minutes after the lifeboat was alerted.

  Guyona was fitted with the new system only three months previously. The incident has clearly demonstrated the effectiveness of the RNLI MOB Guardian safety system, which is designed to save fishermen’s lives. The crew of the Guyona had deployed their liferaft as their vessel sank, however they had also been in the water for 20 minutes and were battered and bruised by their ordeal.

  Crew member David McMurdo had strong praise for his namesake. He said: ‘It saved our lives, no doubt about it. If it wasn’t for that, nobody would have known where we were.’

  On average 20 fishermen lose their lives every year in UK waters. In the light of this successful rescue it is hoped that more UK fishermen will now decide to take advantage of the MOB Guardian scheme, which is heavily subsidised by the RNLI.

  David McMurdo, along with fellow fishermen skipper Tristan Northway and Leo Piper, were safely brought ashore where they received medical attention. The Guyona, 11.9 metres in length, was based at Brixham, Devon.

  The MOB Guardian system gives an early alert to an emergency, helps reduce search time and provides the rescuers with an up to date position for the vessel or man overboard by satellite. If a single-handed fisherman falls over the side of their vessel, the system will automatically alert search and rescue agencies. Also fishermen can wear a fob incorporating a panic button, so should a crew member become ill or caught in machinery, they can easily request help. The system is confidential so location information about a particular vessel is not available publicly.

   

• 18 July 2008
  Raymarine sponsors Torbay regatta
  

  Raymarine has been announced as a day sponsor of the first Ocean BMW Torbay Week.  The marine electronics manufacturer will sponsor the events taking place on the Saturday of the main Torbay championship with prizes and a substantial financial package worth.

  The brand new event is attracting vast amounts of interest from sponsors – among other companies to see the benefits of the event are National Boat Shows which is sponsoring the dinghy national championships held as part of Ocean BMW Torbay Week.

  Among the local companies which have signed up are Pedros Yacht Refinishing. Bayside Marine and Michelmores Solicitors.

  Tim Whitehead, race director for Ocean BMW Torbay Week, said: “Raymarine are sponsoring the Saturday for the IRC, sportsboat and keelboat classes with a superb sponsorship package. To have Raymarine, which is recognised as one of the world leaders in marine electronics, as a major sponsor in our first year of the Ocean BMW Torbay Week is a great success for the event.”

  The six-day event will replace Torbay’s existing sailing regattas  – Babbacombe, Royal Torbay, Paignton and Brixham – and will take place between Friday 22nd and Wednesday 27th August 2008, featuring a three-day championship for all classes, the traditional RNLI pursuit race and a two day Admiral’s Cup team event and is designed to appeal to all, whether they are serious racers or those with more limited racing experience.

  Ocean BMW Torbay Week will not only provide world-class racing for yachts and dinghies in the Tor Bay area but also a full schedule of après-sailing entertainment around the Bay’s three harboursides.

  Organisation of the event is being undertaken by a management team comprising representatives from the Babbacombe, Brixham, Paignton and Royal Torbay clubs as well as the Torbay Development Agency.

  Throughout the week there will be free berthing at town moorings and free launching for any dinghies taking part. There will also be the usual parties, live music and après-sail after racing in Babbacombe Corinthian Sailing Club, Brixham Yacht Club, Paignton Sailing Club and Royal Torbay Yacht Club.

  It has already sparked much interest from local sailors as well as those further afield. Entry can be made online for the event at www.torbayweek.co.uk

• 12 July 2008
  Raymarine launches new Super HD Digital Radar, new SPX autopilots and ST70 Autopilot Head at
  

  Raymarine will be launching a selection of new products on stand G88 at the Southampton Boat Show.  New at the show will be Raymarine’s Super HD Digital radar.  Designed to operate with the G series or E series Multi Function Displays, this revolutionary technology gives improves target detection with clear, full colour images on screen, making it significantly easier for users to operate and understand radar images.  Raymarine’s Super HD Digital radar gives the equivalent of top end commercial radar quality to leisure boaters, while using 25% or less power than conventional radars.   

  Also new at the show is Raymarine’s new generation range of SPX autopilots.  Designed to suit every size of boat from small powerboat to world class racing yacht, SPX pilots are suitable for wheel or tiller installation.   A key feature is that every SPX pilot comes complete with integrated rate gyro.  Easy to install and calibrate, the SPX’s superior technology offers sophisticated features as standard.  These include Advanced Steering Technology, which intelligently monitors the yaw of the vessel and can anticipate directional changes to ensure razor sharp course keeping, and AutoLearn, where the pilot automatically understands the vessel’s steering characteristics, making calibration easier and allowing the vessel to constantly adapt to changing sea conditions.  These features not only make the autopilot safer, enabling for example easy handling in sailboats while running downwind, with the kite up, and a rolling sea, but for powerboats also reduces fuel consumption by improved course keeping when under engine power.

  Raymarine’s new ST70 instrument system is also extended with the ST70 AP Autopilot Head, on show for the first time at Southampton.  This full colour display is compatible with the new SPX autopilots and existing ST1 course computers.  The large clear screen can be selected to show digital data, compass rose or 3D isometric screens.  It can be used as a master display or a colour repeater, and enables one touch autopilot operation.   The ST70 autopilot head also offers a choice of frequently used autopilot functions – such as fishing patterns, box pattern search, and  full 180 or 360 degree turns.

  Designed for high performance and ease of use, Raymarine’s award winning products are available through a global network of dealers and distributors

   

• 5 July 2008
  Multimedia - What is DSC?
  

  An introductory video explaining what DSC or Digital Selective Calling is.

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  Requires Windows Media Player.
  Please allow some time for the video to stream.

• 5 July 2008
  Multimedia - DSC - How Does it work
  

  An overview on how DSC or Digital Selective actually works, whether it be an emergency situation or a routine call.

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  Please allow some time for the video to stream.

• 5 July 2008
  Multimedia - Icom Marine Line up
  

  A quick look at the VHF/DSC transceivers that Icom has to offer.
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  Please allow some time for the video to stream.

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