Scott Nicholas
Cobham has unveiled a new portable radio under its SAILOR product line designed to support shipboard firefighting communications and help shipowners comply with new regulations by the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea.
Cobham said Wednesday the SAILOR 3965 UHF Fire Fighter portable radio is based on Cobham SATCOM‘s line of Global Maritime Distress and Safety System radios and equipment for potentially explosive atmospheres.
The company added it built the new radios to help shipboard firefighters meet SOLAS Chapter II-2 Regulation 10.10.4 safety requirements through communication functions.
The new regulation requires at least two firefighting outfits — which also cover portable radios that are explosion-proof, ready-to-use and compatible with the marine environment — for SOLAS vessels.
Cobham noted that an estimated 65,000 SOLAS vessels would require such radios after July 2018.
“We estimate that some 300,000 new radios will be required for the remaining SOLAS vessels to fully conform to the new regulations that effectively come into force in a little over two years’ time,” said Claus Hornbech, Cobham SATCOM business manager of maritime integration.
The company added that the SAILOR 3965 UHF Fire Fighter features a display for channel and battery information  as well as compatibility options with spare emergency battery packs and third-party accessories from SAVOX and Peltor.
