Marine weather forecaster PredictWind has introduced a new app called Man Overboard, aimed at enhancing offshore safety for DataHub Pro users. This innovative application addresses a critical issue, as 60% of man overboard incidents occur without witnesses, and every moment before someone realizes a person is missing increases the distance between the boat and the individual in the water. Unlike traditional beacons that require activation by the person overboard, the Man Overboard app operates passively, utilizing crew members’ smartphones or smartwatches to maintain a Wi-Fi connection to DataHub Pro.
When the connection is lost, the app records the boat’s GPS location and initiates a series of escalating alerts. Initially, the disconnected device alerts its owner, followed by notifications to all other connected devices on board, the boat’s chartplotter, and designated emergency contacts onshore. This rapid response system ensures that crew members can return to the precise location where someone fell overboard, rather than where the boat was at the time of the alert.
The app’s alert sequence includes immediate notifications to the owner of the disconnected device, followed by confirmations from other crew members within 30 seconds. If the disconnection persists for about a minute, a full man overboard alert is triggered, generating loud alarms on crew devices and displaying a warning on the chartplotter. This system functions independently of cellular or satellite networks, relying solely on the boat’s own network, although alerts to shore contacts do require internet access.
Designed to complement existing safety measures, the Man Overboard app integrates seamlessly with PredictWind’s suite of offshore safety tools, including AIS and Anchor Alert. The company emphasizes that it enhances crew awareness, allowing for swift action in emergencies. Users are advised to conduct thorough tests of the system with their equipment before relying on it while at sea.
