SOS LED distress signal

[journey on]

RobL,

I certainly agree with your comment about a PC for navigation. I'd also like to mention the free OpenCpn navigation software for a PC. With the free NOAA charts, you can upgrade your Nav MFD to a 15" screen. OpenCpn uses an external GPS for a PC and can display AIS if you have a receiver. It will overlay radar with a Garmin or 3G radar. Really complete.

OpenCpn also has a version for Android operating systems for tablets. Just released.

Finally, looking at Judy's cell phone, it's hard to imagine what navigation info would be displayed on such a small screen. How does it look?

Boris

[thataway]

[hardee]

I agree that this is a cool idea, however, nowhere in the description, specifications or add copy does it expressly say that this light flashes the distinct Morse code SOS signal ( ... --- ... or dot dot dot dash dash dash dot dot dot), which would be a recognizable pattern, maybe even to a not so observant observer, nor does it say if it is a red or white producing LED, just that it is a CREE. Though it does say it is US Coast Guard approved.

It may be just a flashing strobe. In that case, it may not be recognized by that not so observant observer as an emergency signal. For years I have had waterproof, solas approved strobes on my PFDs. Now my spot light has a strobe function, as do my flashlights, my handheld VHF, and my cell phone. Everybody has a blinker, and we see them often. Do you call the USCG when you see a strobe flashing? Maybe more likely when on the water, BUT IF it was flashing ... _ _ _ ... and it was bright red, that would get some attention.

I like that it is an end to buying and disposing of expired flares, but I would not want to count on it entirely as my sole emergency night signal. Would I carry it, maybe as a redundant accessory, allowing me to not have to replace flares every other year.

As to swim caps, I carry 2 hunter orange watch caps for wear in the event of everything coming unglued. (I heard from a friend of mine in the USCG that looking for a coconut floating in the ocean is a bit challenging.)

Looking forward to your thoughts Bob.

Harvey
SleepyC

PS: I tried to call Sirius to confirm the light pattern and the color. Only able to leave a voice message. Will post if I get a call back.

[rogerbum]

[olsurfdog]

Concensus seems to be: these are will be good signaling devices to have but flares etc are still needed. I agree with that, flares are probably much more attention getting, if somewhat brief and these would be a good addition with much longer duration. Also nice to know you're never out of date!! I've got plenty of past expire date flares--even if, due to age they don't all go off, it is still more than just 3 current date flares. In this case I think that more is always better!!

[RobLL]

I got a 6 inch smart phone because I liked the camera on it. There is also a free program with charts, tides, and currents for the Pacific Northwest. It is easy to use and seems accurate. I have not used it this summer (or the boat) We got in the middle of selling a house with a LOT of paperwork, and searching for a condo in the Seattle area. We ended up finding what we wanted next to the Bremerton ferry terminal. I am looking forward to getting back on the water next month.

Chart plotter will have to be larger, cheaper, and better if they are going to stave off computers and pads. I am betting against them. They are, to put it simply, a more water and corrosion resistant computer with a display screen, with the capability for a variety on inputs.

My automobile Garmin is still a little simpler to use than my smart phone, but the smart phone does not repeatedly screw up finding destinations or misdirecting me onto impossible routes.

[BrentB]

OK thanks, if it will replace flares then I will buy one in 3 years when the flares are out of date

[hardee]

Just talked to a gentleman from Sirius and he confirmed that the Sirius SOS Signal light does emit a White Light and that it does flash in an SOS Morse Code pattern. Both of these are specific requirements stated in the requirements of the US Coast Guard (46 CFR 175.130) for marine distress signals.

Harvey
SleepyC

[thataway]

My initial thought was great, I don't have to keep buying those 3 (actually more than that), because of the C Dory and Caracal, plus dinghy)--and I have both hand held, and 12 mm aerial, plus the ditch bag self launching flares.

Visability and confusion seem to be to be issues. If the light is at water level, the range is line of sight (unless it is reflecting off clouds--which it may be)

The line of sight of an object on the water is 3 miles….if the observer is 6 feet off the water, then this "range is 4 miles.

I have an assortment of LED flashlights, some cheap, some high end. About 50% of them either have a strobe, a beacon or an SOS function. So kids are out playing with flashlights, and hit the SOS--people become accustomed to seeing the …---… and it no longer means anything. What percent of the population really knows what S O S means? Certainly mariners should--but I'll bet that it is no where near 100%.

So 10 miles--this assumes that the minimal height is 11 feet for the signal light, and 11 feet off the water for the person seeing the distress signal. This puts a lot of boats at far less range than 10 miles.

Lets look at the range of gun fired flares:



One can say that aircraft may see the Sirius signal at greater range--true, if they are looking downward. (Pilots comments?).

This is not a SOLAS grade, nor Transport Canada approved. Apparently it is in some EU countries.

The other major issue for me is the "day signal" The orange background with a black ball/square has been a standard for many years, yet very few boaters recognize this as a distress signal. Also the visibility of this is measured in less than a mile (depending on weather conditions). I feel that Orange smoke flare is probably the most effective daytime signal.

For offshore use, I believe that the SOLAS flares are the most effective, and well worth the cost. For near shore, certainly parachute flares are first, then meteor flares, and finally the hand held flares. Daytime, orange smoke is best.

I may buy one of these, and put it along with the ditch bag (which goes with me from boat to boat). The laser flares have some of the disadvantages, are more expensive, and are not CG or SOLAS approved.

One issue I noted at sea with strobes, is difficulty of localization. Steady lights are better. I would want to have a steady light also as well as this type of device if I was using it--but never would have it as the only device.

I have a 900 CP LED flashlight, which is slightly smaller than a 2 D cell mag light, and a small 310CP LED flashlight which have both strobe, and S O S functions. I certainly would use those in a pinch, if necessary. (Even the 310 cp is blinding at short range--I suspect that the Sirius signal is extremely bright and one would want to avoid looking at it!

[Marco Flamingo]

It seems that the value might be that it would keep me in Coast Guard compliance, not necessarily the best way of alerting other boaters to come to my aid. I could keep out of date flares for that. I've never had an out of date flare not go off.

Mark
Limpet

I once was heading into the San Juans with a boat I had chartered from Seattle. My parents and three other couples. Heard a bang and the engine stopped. Lifted the engine hatch and smoke came out. We didn't have a fire on board, luckily, but that was scary for me. I'm not sure my guests knew what a bad sign smoke in the bilge can be.

The owner had cross-threaded an oil filter, there was no functioning oil alarm, and the engine had thrown a rod through the oil pan and was only stopped from going through the hull by a stringer.

I couldn't raise anybody on the radio. There were some boats in the distance, so I used the international hand signal for distress. Everyone on board laughed at my attempt. But two guys that were fishing immediately came over. They were retired Coast Guard. It all worked out, but I wouldn't have been surprised if they had just waived back.

Same with using this gadget flashing SOS. Most would probably think that it's a cell phone camera or something.

[AstoriaDave]

thataway's response is a good summary of this device's shortcomings, and the narrow window of usefulness as well.

Localization is the deal breaker for me. SAR folks emphasize that blinking signals often produce very scarce visibility under rough conditions. Locally, with a 6 to 10 foot swell and seas running 2 to 3 feet, the waters are a very confused mess, so even a steady light produces lots of apparent blinking for observers on the water. Once the helo locates you, then, sure, the SOS LED signal facilitates zeroing in. But it is finding a lost boat or swimmer in the first place that is the difficult and time consuming part.

Used in conjunction with a PLB or similar, the device would be a good complement.

I'm sticking with smoke and aerial pyrotechnics for now.

[hardee]

The range of visibility is probably the greatest short coming on this device. For primary rescue I would count on the DSC radio (2 on board) and a handheld which is on the PFD. Once in the water (or preferably into the inflatable doughnut boat) the handheld would be on 16 and the strobe on the back of the PFD would be going. Those would be working because I know someone is already looking for me. (BTW, I'm taking lunch with me; it might be a long drift to Japan's coast.)

Thanks for bringing this one up, Bob.

Harvey
SleepyC

[Robert H. Wilkinson]

[BrentB]

Anyone knows if ACR/ARTEX is planning to release a similar device? They produce well made and engineered items, along with a well proven track record

[thataway]

Brent I had looked at the ARTEX website and saw nothing to indicate that they were going that way--Sirius Signal has been around for about 5 years. Still several certifications are lacking. My guess is not now from ACR.

Harvey, you might drift out of the Straits, but most likely down the coast. There is a counter current (Davidson) close to the Coast, but Japanese/Calif. go down the coast. I know of one 50 foot sailboat not too far from us when we were about 5 miles off the N. Calif. Coast, which was evacuated because of weather and injuries to crew. It ended up in the S. China Sea (don't remember the exact location) about 3 years later, pretty much interacts, sails shredded, but rig intact and surprisingly little water inside. The boat was salvaged.