Crew Overboard Alarms
Crew Overboard Alarms
A crew overboard alarm system is an essential safety device designed to provide immediate alerts if a crew member falls overboard. West Marine offers high-quality crew overboard alarms from trusted brands like Fell Marine, ACR Electronics, and 1st Mate. These systems are designed to prevent accidents and increase response time, helping you quickly locate and recover someone who has fallen into the water.
How Crew Overboard Alarms Work
Crew overboard alarms consist of a base unit and individual wearable FOBs (or tags) that are worn by each crew member. These systems are electronically tethered to each crew member, and if someone falls overboard, the system immediately sounds an alarm, alerting the crew. In addition to sounding an alarm, certain systems such as those from Fell Marine and 1st Mate can also stop the boat’s engine, reducing the risk of the person being hit by the propeller or left behind in dangerous waters.
Types of Crew Overboard Alarm Systems
- Basic Crew Overboard Alarms: These systems simply sound an alarm when the crew member falls overboard. They are easy to install and provide an essential safety feature to help you respond quickly to emergencies.
- Engine Cutoff Systems: Some systems go a step further by automatically stopping the boat’s engine when a crew member goes overboard. This feature prevents the boat from continuing its path, minimizing the risk of further accidents.
- Smartphone-Connected Alarms: Modern systems like ACR Electronics’ MOB alarms connect to smartphones, providing real-time alerts and even the option to add redundancy with a base station. This system allows boaters to monitor their crew’s safety from a distance and provides greater flexibility in terms of alerting multiple users.
Choosing the Right Crew Overboard Alarm
When selecting a crew overboard alarm, consider factors such as boat size, crew size, and whether you want additional features like engine cutoff or smartphone integration. For smaller boats, a basic alarm system may be sufficient, but for larger boats or vessels with more crew members, a system with engine shutdown capabilities and real-time notifications could be more beneficial.
Crew Overboard Alarm FAQ
A crew overboard alarm system is a safety device that sounds an alarm when a crew member falls overboard. It consists of a base unit and wearable tags (FOBs), and can also feature automatic engine shutdown for additional safety. These alarms are crucial for improving reaction time and ensuring the safety of crew members at sea.
Crew overboard alarms work by attaching a small tag (FOB) to each crew member. If a person falls overboard, the system detects the absence of the tag and sounds an alarm to alert the remaining crew. Some systems also include engine shutdown features to stop the boat immediately, preventing further risk to the person in the water.
Yes, certain crew overboard alarm systems are equipped with an engine cutoff feature. When a crew member falls overboard, these systems can automatically stop the boat’s engine to prevent further risk to the individual. This feature is available in advanced systems such as those offered by Fell Marine and 1st Mate.
Maintaining your crew overboard alarm system involves ensuring that the base unit and tags (FOBs) are fully charged and functioning. Test the system periodically to verify that it is operating properly. Check the battery life of the FOBs and replace them as necessary. Follow the manufacturer’s maintenance guidelines to ensure that the system works reliably when needed.
Yes, modern crew overboard alarm systems like ACR Electronics’ MOB alarms are compatible with smartphones. These systems can send real-time alerts to your phone, making it easier to monitor the status of your crew members. Some models offer additional features like base station integration for added redundancy and alerting flexibility.