Ocean Signal RescueME MOB2 AIS Man Overboard Beacon, Class M

AIS + DSC Man Overboard Beacon, Class M

The world's smallest Class M AIS man overboard device with integrated VHF DSC, built to sit inside your inflatable lifejacket.

Replaces the RescueME MOB1. The MOB2 is Ocean Signal's current-generation MOB beacon and the one we now supply. Single model, supplied ready to fit to a compatible inflatable lifejacket.

Overview

If someone goes over the side, how long can your crew keep eyes on them? In a chop or after dark, not long. The Ocean Signal RescueME MOB2 closes that gap. Fitted inside an inflatable lifejacket, it activates when the jacket inflates and sends its first alert within around 15 seconds.

Once it has a GNSS fix, the MOB2 broadcasts the person's position over AIS to plotters on your boat and nearby vessels, and sends a DSC distress alert to compatible VHF radios. Unlike the MOB1, it also has a DSC receiver, so it knows when the alert has been acknowledged. That's what makes it Class M compliant.

For Bay of Plenty skippers, racing crews heading out past Mauao, and anyone running crew offshore, it's the fastest way to turn a man overboard into a recovery your own boat can steer to.

Key Features

• Automatic activation on lifejacket inflation means the beacon starts transmitting without the person in the water having to do a thing, for crew who may be stunned or injured when they hit the water.
• AIS position broadcasts means your position is updated on AIS plotters roughly eight times a minute, for skippers who need a live target to steer back to rather than a single MOB waypoint.
• Two-way VHF DSC (Class M) means a distress alarm sounds on compatible DSC radios, and the beacon confirms when it's been acknowledged, for crews who want certainty the alert got through.
• GPS and Galileo GNSS means accurate positioning from two satellite systems, for faster, more precise recovery in open water.
• White and infrared strobes means the person is visible to the eye at night and to night-vision or thermal equipment, for the final, hardest part of any recovery.
• NFC app connectivity means you can check battery life, test history and program your vessel's MMSI by holding a phone to the beacon, for owners who want to know it's ready before every trip.
• 92 g and 134 x 38 x 27 mm means it fits even compact inflatable lifejackets without getting in the way, for crew who wear their jacket all day.

Applications

• Coastal cruising and recreational boaties
• Yacht racing and delivery crews
• Offshore passages, alongside a satellite PLB or EPIRB
• Commercial fishing and charter crews working on deck
• Coastguard and volunteer marine rescue crews

What's in the Box

• 1 x Ocean Signal RescueME MOB2 beacon
• Oral tube bracket
• Activation tape
• Fixing buckle and adhesive buckle patch
• Cord (tether lanyard)
• Antenna winder
• Protective 'ARMED' cover
• Quick Start Guide

Lifejacket not included. Some lifejacket designs need a different fitting method, so check your jacket manufacturer's instructions before installing.

Complete Your Setup

• Icom IC-M423G VHF Marine Radio: Ocean Signal has tested the Icom M423 with the MOB2 and confirmed it receives the MOB2's DSC distress relay call, so your own radio alarms when crew go over.
• Ocean Signal RescueME PLB1: the MOB2 alerts boats nearby over VHF. If you sail solo or offshore, add a 406 MHz PLB for satellite alerting to search and rescue.

Your boat needs an AIS-capable plotter or receiver and a DSC VHF radio for the MOB2 to do its job. Not sure if your gear is compatible? Talk to the team at MSL and we'll check it for you.

Key Specifications

Downloads

• Ocean Signal RescueME MOB2 User Manual (PDF)
• Ocean Signal RescueME MOB2 Quick Start Guide (PDF)

See How the MOB2 Works

Watch Ocean Signal's official MOB2 explainer video

The video shows the full sequence: the lifejacket inflates, the MOB2's antenna deploys and the strobe starts flashing. Within seconds an MOB target appears on the vessel's AIS plotter and the DSC radio alarms, giving the crew a live position to steer back to.

FAQs

Does the MOB2 alert search and rescue by satellite?
No, the MOB2 does not alert search and rescue by satellite. It has no 406 MHz transmitter. It alerts your own boat and nearby vessels over marine VHF using AIS and DSC. For satellite alerting, pair it with a PLB such as the RescueME PLB1.

Will the MOB2 activate automatically if I fall overboard?
The MOB2 activates automatically when your inflatable lifejacket inflates, as long as it has been correctly fitted and armed. Getting wet on its own won't set it off. You can also activate it manually.

Will the MOB2 work with my VHF radio and chartplotter?
The MOB2 works with AIS plotters and DSC radios that support MOB messages and calls. Class A DSC radios are believed to be compatible, and Ocean Signal has tested a list of Class D radios including Icom's M91, M323, M423 and M506. Older gear may not display MOB alerts, so check with us before relying on it.

How long does the MOB2 battery last?
The MOB2 battery has a five-year storage life and runs for more than 24 hours once activated, even at -20°C. Replace it by the expiry date marked on the unit, or after any activation. Battery changes must be done by an Ocean Signal authorised centre.

Does the MOB2 need to be registered like a PLB?
The MOB2 doesn't go on the 406 MHz beacon register the way a PLB or EPIRB does, because it doesn't transmit on 406 MHz. It carries a factory-set identity starting with 972, which marks it as a man overboard device. Ocean Signal recommends programming your vessel's MMSI into it through their app for DSC testing.

What's the difference between the MOB1 and the MOB2?
The MOB2 adds a DSC receiver, which is what makes it Class M compliant, plus an infrared strobe alongside the white strobe and NFC app connectivity. The MOB1 has a DSC transmitter only and has been discontinued.

A man overboard is measured in seconds. The MOB2 makes sure your crew spends them steering, not searching.