Brennan Marine Installs ALERT2 MOB Alarms On Six Vessels
La Crosse, Wis.-based Brennan Marine said it values preparedness. Because of this, the company invested in Emerald Marine Products’ ALERT2 man-overboard (MOB) alarm system. Any fall is dangerous, but when it’s into the cold waters of the Upper Mississippi River, response time is critical, the company said.
The innovative device instantly alerts the company’s crew and employees, providing the crucial extra seconds needed to successfully manage a MOB rescue operation.
Operating on the river 24/7, six Brennan vessels currently run the ALERT2 system. Each of the company’s crew members wear the small transmitter on their personal flotation devices.
When immersed in water, the ALERT2 transmitters communicate directly to the on-board receiver and sound a piercing shipboard alarm. The system is also wired via a VHF radio to Brennan Marine’s dispatch center. The combined response provides the resources needed for the MOB rescue, but most importantly, the extra time to keep an accident from becoming a fatality.
Unlike AIS, the response of the ALERT2 is instantaneous. There is no lag time connecting with satellites. Due to its simple design, the device can be wired to stop engines, set a waypoint or trigger other actions, such as what Brennan implemented.
“Seconds mean everything in a man overboard situation,” said Adam Binsfeld, Brennan Marine chief operations officer. “We took it a step further and set it up to alert our dispatchers, who can then mobilize additional support if needed. It really quickens our overall response.” According to the company, Brennan Marine has an excellent safety record and hasn’t experienced an MOB situation. It conducts monthly testing and the systems function flawlessly.
