Kannad Marine exclusively showcased the R10 SRS in action to members of the press and key industry figures during a special demonstration day held in the Solent. Here’s what happened...

On a sunny-showery day with calm waters, a small group set afloat to watch the first ever live demonstration of the R10 SRS, Kannad Marine’s brand new survivor location beacon with AIS technology.
As the dry-suit clad volunteer plunged off the side of the fishing vessel into the waters of the Solent, the audience held their breath momentarily as he resurfaced and his lifejacket inflated on cue. In the same instant, the short antenna of the R10 popped up to its optimum position, and a few seconds later the distinctive beep-beep of its transmission audible indicator could be heard, indicating that the R10 had begun transmitting and was in the process of establishing a GPS fix on its position.

Onboard, just moments later, the observers watched as the SART distress signal flashed up on the vessel’s multifunction display, correctly indicating that the person in the water was lying just a few metres away from the boat’s chart position.
Already those onboard could spot the R10 alert signal on the AIS receiver, and the data next to the SART distress symbol indicated the bearing and distance to the casualty But this was all a little too easy! In the bright sunshine and flat waters, we could see the person in the water. Time to put the R10’s capabilities to the test... Leaving the person floating in the water, our vessel motored into the distance. At a distance of 0.2 miles, already the high vis of his
lifejacket was barely discernable, and despite concentrated efforts by all onboard to keep him in sight, another half a mile later and the bobbing day-glo yellow dot was completely lost to view amongst the gentle rise and fall of the waves.
Rescue mission

At a mile distant, it was agreed by all onboard that the long suffering volunteer had been abandoned for long enough. It was time to turn the boat about and officially launch our rescue mission.
As the skipper navigated back towards the person in the water, the R10 continued to send data updates every few seconds. As the plotter displays the tidal drift of the casualty, in addition to his bearing and distance, it was simple to plot a course to intercept him. Nearing the MOB, our brave volunteer came into focus dead ahead of the boat, and a few moments later we arrived within hailing distance.

With AIS mandated on all vessels over 300 tonnes, and many smaller commercial craft and fishing boats, and the technology becoming an increasingly popular and affordable choice for leisure boaters, it is clear that a Survivor Recovery System which uses AIS to automatically contact the crew member’s vessel, gives the greatest chance of survivor location and recovery.

As our volunteer climbed gratefully back aboard the nearby safety boat, his relief at such a swift and precise recovery was clear. Although the R10 would have continued transmitting the distress signal together with his position information for at least another 24 hours, it seems the water was getting a little chilly – despite it being July!
The demo day was deemed a great success by all who attended.