Overall winner of the 2012 Pittman Innovation Awards is the Kannad Marine SafeLink R10 SRS (Survivor Recovery System) from McMurdo Ltd
This is the first year an overall winner of the Pittman Awards (named in honour of SAIL magazine’s technical editor for 14 years, who died in 1996) has been selected by the judges.
The SafeLink R10 is a man-overboard product that integrates AIS and GPS into a personal distress beacon and is a significant innovation in sailing safety.
Designed for use with a lifejacket, the wearer, while in the water, activates it by sliding off the safety tab and lifting an arming cap that deploys the antenna.
The compact, lightweight unit sends alert messages, GPS position and a special identity code directly to AIS receivers within approximately a four mile radius.
A unique, built-in, high precision GPS receiver – which updates every 60 seconds – assures accuracy of the transmitted data.
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.
It can also be fitted to the lifejacket and a flashing LED light aids location at night. The R10 SRS 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 meters.