New Cobham radio solution meets pending SOLAS fire rules
The world’s first marine portable radio made specifically for fulfilling new SOLAS regulations comes to the International Workboat Show 2017
International Workboat Show 2017, New Orleans – Cobham SATCOM’s SAILOR 3965 UHF Fire Fighter will be on display at its International Workboat Show booth (#2435) in New Orleans this week. Developed as the world’s first portable radio made specifically for fulfilling the new SOLAS Chapter II-2, Regulation 10.10.4 – ‘Fire Fighters Communication’, SAILOR 3965 UHF Fire Fighter is a simple and cost-effective way for workboat operators with vessels over 300gt to meet the new rules, which come into force in July 2018.
SOLAS Chapter II-2, Regulation 10 contains requirements for the fire fighter outfits needed on board, and how many outfits are required for a specific vessel, with a minimum of two. The SAILOR 3965 UHF Fire Fighter portable radio meets standards set out that require approx. 65,000 (existing) SOLAS vessels, including thousands of workboats operating in the Gulf of Mexico and globally, to provide intrinsically safe portable radios within the regulated fire fighter outfits on board. While designed specifically for SOLAS vessels, Cobham SATCOM’s new portable radio also supports a significant portion of the workboat sector operating non-SOLAS vessels, which still follow the regulations as a guideline to ensure operational safety.
The SAILOR 3965 UHF Fire Fighter portable radio is bright red in colour, signalling to crew members on board that the radio should not be used for daily operations and must stay as part of the fire fighter outfit. Uniquely, it is the only maritime radio system to accommodate spare emergency battery packs. As standard, it features an ATEX 1.800 mAh rechargeable Li-Ion Battery, IP67 battery pack, however, Cobham SATCOM also offers intrinsically safe approved non-rechargeable emergency batteries, providing an extra level of security to ensure communication is available when a fire breaks out, or rechargeable batteries run-down.
The SAILOR 3965 UHF Fire Fighter portable radio is a cost-effective response for workboat and ship owners to the logistical challenges of equipping their vessels between now and their first survey after July 2018. It is also a highly reliable and effective communication tool that can be counted on by fire fighters in extreme, hazardous environments on board. Based on highly reliable and intrinsically safe SAILOR radio technology, the SAILOR 3965 UHF Fire
Fighter portable radio features functions specifically designed to keep fire fighters safe including a high visibility screen, large tactile buttons and audio confirmations of i.e. channel changes in the operator’s compatible SAVOX or Peltor brand headset.
“The new SOLAS regulations apply to a significant portion of the workboat market and the SAILOR 3965 UHF Fire Fighter portable radio is a great way to ensure compliance, especially as our production has been designed to meet the expected demand in the coming months,” said Niels Peter Agdal, Business Manager, Maritime Radio Communications, Cobham SATCOM. “While the SAILOR 3965 UHF Fire Fighter portable radio helps owners and operators to easily access the required SOLAS equipment before the deadline next year, we have also ensured its design and functionality reflects recognised SAILOR quality, helping to keep designated fire fighters safe during emergency operations on board.”