McMurdo launches NEW Fast Find 220 Personal Locator Beacon (PLB)

The next generation of the hugely popular Fast Find range

McMurdo, a business of the Orolia Group (NYSE Alternext Paris – FR0010501015 – ALORO) has extended its range of leading emergency distress beacons with the launch of the NEW Fast Find 220 PLB (Personal Locator Beacon).

Available from May 2012, the ground breaking Fast Find 220 satellite PLB is a stylish and versatile 406 MHz GPS emergency beacon with GPS as standard, enabling a typical positional accuracy of +/- 62m. The 220 also benefits from new contemporary styling, including retro refelective detailing for improved visibility in low light, a six year battery storage life and float pouch included as standard making it a must-have safety device for anyone who spends time on the water for work or leisure purposes. 

Commenting on the launch of McMurdo’s new PLB, Global Sales Director of Orolia Ltd, Ross Wilkinson said, “Our Fast Find range of PLBs are widely recognised as essential safety items by mariners all around the world from fishermen and merchant seaman to transatlantic rowers and solo round-the-world sailors, and have been instrumental in a vast number of documented rescues world-wide. In 2010* alone 2338 people were rescued globally using information provided by the COSPAS SARSAT system.

“We are excited to launch the new Fast Find 220, representing the next generation of our PLB range, with styling and usability enhancements as well as GPS as standard to offer even further peace of mind to all safety conscious sailors.”

The Fast Find 220 is a powerful distress beacon, which provides a direct method of alerting the search and rescue authorities where no other forms of communication are available, using the 406 MHz search and rescue satellite communication system, COSPAS SARSAT*. As well as sending out a distress signal by satellite the 220 also transmits a 121.5MHz homing signal.

Waterproof to 10 metres and able to operate in temperatures as low as -20˚,once activated, using a simple three-stage activation, the 220 will transmit continuously for a minimum of 24 hours at a powerful 5 watt output. The beacon is also small in size weighing just 152g and measuring D34mm x W47mm x L106mm, and features a LED flash light to assist with rescues at night or during limited visibility.

The Fast Find 220 PLB has no subscription charges and  is available from £225 + VAT, €252 + TAX, $299 + TAX with a flotation pouch (plus lanyard and universal carry pouch) included. For further information and a list of stockists, visit www.fastfindplb.com.