ACR Electronics Debuts New Products at Posidonia

ACR Electronics’ new GlobalFIX V4 EPIRB is a new professional grade design EPIRB, offering the latest in marine electronic lifesaving technology and featuring high-efficiency electronics for reliable performance which owners and operators in the commercial shipping and offshore industries can trust to ensure the safety of their crew.

Significantly increasing probability of survival at sea, the ACR EPIRB’s robust internal 66-channel GPS provides faster acquisition from a cold start, accurately fixing the exact location of the vessel in distress. The coordinates are then transmitted via a 406MHz distress signal to search and rescue authorities, with a 121.5MHz homing signal further guiding searchers to the position.

Manual activation of the EPIRB is simple and there is a protective keypad cover to help prevent false alarms.

The full-featured ACR device has an all-new, user-replaceable battery pack which has a 10-year replacement interval, reducing the overall ownership cost. It also has an energy efficient, four LED array strobe light and a new wrist strap for hands free carrying in an emergency evacuation.

The GlobalFIX V4 has two functional self-tests to monitor the beacon’s transmission, power and battery performance and GPS acquisition.

Also introduced at Posidonia is the Pathfinder PRO SART, a new search and rescue transponder that expands the range of commercial maritime survival products offered by ACR.

The Pathfinder PRO is a fully-approved SART that complies with IMO SOLAS regulations and is suitable for all commercial vessels that are mandated to carry a SART, including vessels that must conform to GMDSS and those carrying more than one life raft.

Enhancing search and rescue efforts, the manually-activated ACR device can be used on ships, lifeboats and life rafts. It transmits a series of pulses which are displayed on a ship’s radar screen as a line of dots, providing a bearing to the survival craft. When powered on, the SART remains in a standby mode until it is automatically activated by an X Band Radar sweep which may come from any vessel in the vicinity.

The user replaceable, superior lithium battery provides over 96 hours of operating life in standby mode and provides 12 hours of active operating life while being interrogated by radar. The batteries have a five-year storage life before any significant reduction in capacity. The Pathfinder PRO SART should not need servicing during its lifetime with the exception of changing the battery before the marked expiry date.

Compact for easy life raft packing, the Pathfinder PRO SART is supplied with a mountable storage bracket and a black telescopic pole, which conveniently connects to the bottom of the SART allowing maximum height and visibility out of a life craft. 

The SART is waterproof to a depth of 10 meters and operates between -20°C and +55°C.

Gerry Angeli, President of ACR Electronics, said, “As mandatory equipment for most commercial vessels, a SART is a very important safety device which drastically increases probability of survival in an emergency. We are therefore very pleased to introduce the Pathfinder PRO SART to commercial operators. Featuring all the capabilities of the Pathfinder 3, our PRO SART offers the latest components and has been developed to ensure it is compact, easy to use and maintain, and reasonably priced.”

ACR Electronics’ new series of waterproof LED personnel distress lights launched this year’s Posidonia include the new C-Strobe and water-activated C-Strobe H20 strobe lights, as well as the new LED C Light and C Light H20 steady-on personal distress lights.

The USCG/SOLAS-approved, multi-function ACR C-Strobes feature very bright 45 lumen LED that operate typically for 120 hours continuously in strobe mode. The slim, lightweight and versatile design fits easily in a pocket or attaches to life jacket, with integral lashing loops and Velcro strap available for mounting flexibility. The device also comes with an impact-resistant case.

Available in two models, the manually-activated C-Strobe features an easy twist on/off activation. The water-activated C-Strobe H20 model features three modes of operation – strobe, steady-on and SOS. It can be activated with a simple push of the on/off button or, when in the armed position, can be activated automatically when immersed in water.

ACR’s new USCG/SOLAS-approved LED C Light and C Light H20 waterproof steady-on personal distress lights have a bright 20 lumen LED that operates typically for 30 hours continuously. The lights are slim, lightweight and easy to store and carry, providing a versatile solution for a range of activities.

The C-Light is manually activated, while the C Light H20 version can be activated by pushing the on/off button or is activated on immersion in water when in the armed position.