Iridium easyRESCUE-IPRIB

The new Weatherdock easyIPIRB is the world first emergency beacon combining Iridium® distress call functionality (based on the state-of-the-art Iridium® satellite network) with the local alerting by AIS (Automatic Identification System) and the VHF radio based DSC distress call alert.

Iridium®

The easyIPIRB uses the Iridium® satellite network with the 100% worldwide coverage to alert its location globally. In case of activation, an Iridium® SBD (short burst data) is transmitted into the Iridium® satellite system immediately containing current GPS position (accurate to within 5-15 meters) as well as Unit ID and safety message. The distress call is forwarded in real-time to ground station and from here to the MRCC (Iridium® GMDSS system).

Iridium® handshake

By means of bi-directional satellite communication every time an Iridium® SBD is transmitted, the beacon receives a handshake from the satellite that the message is transmitted well and forwarded immediately.

AIS

After the unit is activated and the GPS fix is established the easyIPIRB starts transmitting an AIS safety related message containing the text "SART active". This AIS transmission can be received by every AIS system within the range of up to 15nm and the position is displayed on every ECDIS with a red circle and a red cross inside it. The current position of the device is updated every minute and transmitted into the AIS system. First responders of the GMDSS rescue chain will get an updated pinpoint and can easily navigate directly to the AIS target and the IPIRB location.

DSC

Within seconds after the easyIPIRB is activated, a DSC distress call is sent out to the motherships DSC radio. The MMSI number of the mothership and up to 8 different vessel MMSI can be programmed into the unit by an app via Bluetooth. For the first 10 minutes, the DSC distress call stays local.