ACR Electronics has won a DAME Design Award in the ‘Life Saving and Safety Equipment’ category for its ResQLink View RLS Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) at this year’s METSTRADE in Amsterdam.

As the only PLB capable of displaying Galileo GNSS Return Link Service (RLS) alerting technology via a digital display screen, the ACR Electronics beacon was selected as one of the Category Winners of the 30th anniversary DAME Awards 2021 following judgement by a panel of top naval architects, boat, interior and industrial designers, plus user experts.

Mikele D’Arcangelo, Vice President of Global Marketing and Product Management for ACR Electronics, said: “We are delighted that the DAME jury has recognized the innovations and technology incorporated in our new ResQLink View RLS PLB. The Galileo Return Link technology will help save more lives and aid the rescue services, so we are proud to combine the service with all the other unique features, benefits and functionality that ACR Electronics has meticulously incorporated into our beacons over the years.”

ACR Electronics’ next-generation Cospas-Sarsat approved ResQLink™ Personal Locator Beacons (PLB) with Return Link Service (RLS) offer survivors vital reassurance in a life-threatening emergency. The Galileo Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) Return Link alerting technology will be available with the ACR Electronics ResQLink View RLS and the ResQLink 410 RLS.

The groundbreaking ResQLink View RLS is the world’s first PLB with the capability to provide the user with a clear confirmation message via a digital display screen, verifying that the international satellite system Cospas-Sarsat has received their distress message and location. The ResQLink 410 RLS has a confirmation light to indicate that a signal has been received.

The ACR Electronics ResQLink 410 RLS and ResQLink View RLS are available now in Europe, but are not yet approved for use in the U.S. They will be launched in specific countries, pending approval of the use of RLS in each country.

The latest advanced ACR ResQLink PLBs were developed by safety and survival specialist ACR to offer more user-friendly features and functionality than any beacon on the market to assist in saving lives across the world. They were specifically designed to offer users the leading personal locator beacon solution for providing the valuable reassurance of Galileo’s unique RLS and introducing two-way confirmation between a 406 MHz distress beacon owner and Search and Rescue authorities.

Incorporating a multi-constellation receiver utilizing both the Galileo GNSS as well as the GPS Satellite network for faster location and improved accuracy, the ACR PLBs operate on the three Cospas-Sarsat satellite systems including the new MEOSAR. This ensures they will offer the near instantaneous signal detection and transmission enabled by the global MEOSAR satellites and upgraded ground-station components. Using the next-gen network, anyone activating a ResQLink PLB can expect their beacon to be located within 100 meters (328 feet), 95% of the time, within 5 minutes of the distress signal.

ACR Electronics’ ResQLink PLBs incorporate multiple industry-first solutions to provide a range of adventurers with a trusted and affordable link to rescue in a life-threatening situation. The ResQLink View with Optical Display Technology adds even more reassurance and peace of mind to outdoor enthusiasts, with the screen displaying all the beacon’s operational activities, including GPS coordinates, operating instructions, usage tips, transmission bursts, as well as battery power.

Compact, lightweight and easy to carry, the new ResQLink beacons feature a protected activation button located away from the test button, multiple wearable mounting options including a belt clip and oral inflation clip for easy access in an emergency, and an easier-to-release antenna enclosure. All the new design changes were suggested by members of the ACR Electronics SurvivorClub free beacon replacement program. The PLBs also include a new infra-red strobe light in addition to the ultra-bright strobe light to assist rescue crews using night vision goggles. ACR’s ResQLink Skins are another customer-led feature for people who want to personalize their PLB. With built-in buoyancy, the ResQLink PLBs feature an operating life that exceeds 24 hours.

The ResQLink series does not require any subscription but are required to be registered with the country’s national authority. Optional subscriptions for testing are available via ACR’s patented 406Link.com technology.

The ACR ResQLink 410 RLS is available at a price of approximately €355.00.

The ACR ResQLink View RLS is available at a price of approximately €415.00.

For more information on ACR Electronics beacons and other safety equipment, go to www.acrartex.com.

Notes on Worldwide Country Approvals for RLS Personal Locator Beacons

This product is not available in the USA. ACR Electronics strongly believes that RLS technology is a benefit to the worldwide search and rescue system. ACR encourages your support in facilitating the approval of RLS in the USA by contacting the United States Coast Guard* and NOAA** (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) for the latest information on RLS approval in the country.

The full list of countries that have approved RLS to be sold and used in their territory can be found on this link: https://cospas-sarsat.int/en/beacon-ownership/rls-enabled-beacon-purchase

There may be a delay in countries informing Cospas-Sarsat, so many countries not on the above list may also allow RLS-enabled beacons. Cospas-Sarsat recommends to check directly with the national/territorial authorities for the latest information on what is allowed.

* The USCG can be contacted here https://www.dco.uscg.mil/Our-Organization/Assistant-Commandant-for-Response-Policy-CG-5R/Office-of-Incident-Management-Preparedness-CG-5RI/US-Coast-Guard-Office-of-Search-and-Rescue-CG-SAR/NSARC/

** NOAA can be contacted here https://www.sarsat.noaa.gov/