Ocean Signal, AMI Marine Unveil E101V Float-Free EPIRB

Marine communications specialist Ocean Signal and VDR manufacturer AMI Marine will introduce a new float-free EPIRB with integrated voyage data recorder (VDR) memory capsule at this year’s SMM in Hamburg.

The Ocean Signal E101V provides a reliable and innovative solution for commercial vessels of 3000+ gross tonnage to store recorded data in a float-free capsule within their VDR systems, as required for compliance with the revised recommendation on performance standards for VDRs.

Developed by communication and safety at sea experts Ocean Signal in partnership with AMI Marine, world-leaders in VDR design and manufacturer of marine electronic equipment, the E101V’s leading design and technological capabilities reflect the knowledge and experience brought together by the unique collaboration of two UK companies at the forefront of their respective sectors.

The E101V is supplied with AMI’s regulation X-Series VDR which incorporates IEC61162-450 network protocol, applicable to the collection, storage and playback of important data. It also functions with AMI’s new X-VHFR recorder. The Ocean Signal float-free EPIRB will be available on an OEM basis to selected VDR manufacturers and suppliers for integration with their own VDR systems.

Cospas-Sarsat and MED certified, the E101V is approved to IEC61097-2 as a float-free EPIRB with memory capsule and incorporates notable market-leading features including an improved hydrostatic release unit with automatic disconnection of the interface cable on release, integral 66-channel GPS receiver, flexible blade antenna, 5-year battery life and 2-year warranty. The battery operating life is greater than 168 hours at -20°C.

In addition, the E101V is significantly smaller and lighter than similar products on the market, due to the use of low current technology developed by Ocean Signal for its current EPIRBs. The compact design also allows easy accessibility without damaging the product.

The separate VDR storage module incorporated in the E101V has a memory capacity of 64GB.

James Hewitt, Ocean Signal Sales and Marketing Manager, said: “The development of the E101V is a result of many months of collaboration with AMI, one of the first companies to supply VDRs to commercial vessels and one which continues to lead the way in this sector, so we are very excited to be launching this new product to the market.

“We felt there was significant demand for an improved float-free EPIRB incorporating the VDR memory capsule, providing a trusted solution for new generation VDRs which comply with the latest IMO mandates. The opportunity to form a partnership with AMI offered the perfect combination of skills to develop the E101V, enabling us to use both companies’ separate engineering and technical areas of expertise to develop a product which showcases the skills of two innovative British maritime businesses. The result is a product which incorporates significant benefits for OEMs and manufacturers.”

The E101V has been developed for integration with VDR systems used by commercial vessels of 3000+ gross tonnage to enable ship owners and operators to meet new mandates for VDRs as defined by IMO Resolution MSC.333(90), enforced 1 July 2014.

Martin Cox, sales director at AMI Marine, added: “The introduction of the IMO resolution, along with IEC61996-1 Ed 2.0, heralded a new chapter in VDR requirements with both a fixed and float free capsule required, each holding a minimum of 48 hours of data. The E101V float-free capsule is a welcome addition to the AMI X-VDR system, allowing for easier and cheaper shipping with its refined compact design.

“Our X-VDR has been designed from the ground up to meet and exceed the requirements of the 2014 IEC 61996-1 Ed 2.0 regulations. We have partnered with select manufacturers and ship owners to create a product that is reliable, user friendly, economic and future proof. Completely European in its manufacture, all of the equipment is designed and built in the UK and Germany, with all but the fixed capsule being of an AMI Marine bespoke design. When the E101V float-free EPIRB is incorporated into a VDR system such as the AMI X-Series, the result is a flexible and functional system which meets the new regulations and ultimately provides an improved tool for accident investigators and ship owners.”

The X-VDR system is designed for commercial vessels in order to identify the cause of any accident, evaluate decision making on-board at the time of an incident, greatly improving safety and also assisting in accident avoidance, training and other areas of maintenance, monitoring and analysis.

AMI’s new X-VHFR recorder for vessels under 3000 GRT will be launched at this year’s SMM. It is designed to function with the E101V, assisting with safe recording and playback of basic vessel data in the event of an incident, or for general data analysis purposes.