Leading marine safety manufacturer, McMurdo, has launched two new Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons (EPIRBs). The innovative new Smartfind Plus G5 (with GPS) and the Smartfind E5 are both compact, accurate and robust, offering peace of mind to users of all sea going vessels.

The Smartfind EPIRBs are GMDSS compliant, have high-bright LED flashing locator lights and comprehensive diagnostic and self test facilities. The Smartfind Plus G5 offers an additional high level of accuracy with an integral GPS receiver, ideal for craft venturing further afield – the GPS receiver ensures the exact position of a casualty is relayed to the rescue services which can save vital time in a recovery. This is further aided by a 121.5MHz homing transmitter.

The Smartfind Plus also gives visual indication of GPS acquisition and has a battery status monitor. Both EPIRBs have a 6 year warranty along with a 5 year battery change interval.

McMurdo is the official supplier of safety equipment to the Offshore Challenges Sailing Team and Ellen MacArthur was one of the first sailors in the UK to see the new Smartfind Plus. Her first impressions were good.

“Safety equipment on board is something we rely on in a time of crisis, the rest of the time it needs to be readily available but unobtrusive. The new McMurdo Smartfind EPIRB is practical and compact and most importantly I have confidence that it would alert the rescue authorities in a life-threatening situation.“

The Smartfind EPIRBs work by transmitting radio signals which are detected by the COSPAS-SARSAT satellite network. A distress signal is automatically relayed through an automatic ground station to a control centre where it is decoded and the distress and registration details are passed on to the relevant search and rescue authority.

Both Smartfind EPIRBs are the result of an extensive research and development programme offering state of the art technology for both recreational and commercial craft.