Ocean Signal rescueME MOB1 - Compact AIS Man Overboard Device with Automatic Activation, 7-Year Battery Life, 24 Hours of Operation, and Integrated DSC Transmitter

I haven't had to use it in anger, i.e., I haven't fallen off the boat and had to be rescued. But there was no issues programming it online, installing, and testing it.

If you are going offshore, you need this on your auto-inflate life vest. It issues a MOB signal over AIS which means any vessel within twenty miles will know you went overboard and will have your GPS coordinates. With that said, the device seems well-built and definitely works. However, following the instructions, we still managed to set these off each time we installed one. We installed them while at a calm anchorage. I could hear the MOB alarms go off on nearby boats. Until they improve the installation instructions, it is highly recommended that you install these while on shore.

This thing is expensive, but the design is genius.

Can’t program the DSC portion of the device and can’t get support to answer

Good product! Recommend!

Don’t believe the AI when it says easy or good attachment. Read below for added instructions. *Also the little antenna WILL fly out at you. Watch your face and eyes ! ! * And when the say counter clockwise to wind. Thats oriented from the top or you will bend the antenna. The instructions are meant for someone who understands the product, not for someone new. 1.) If you have thick or rough skin on your hands and or large hands don’t bother to try to thread the silk tape through the attachment buckle. You’ll need a helper. It will be a frayed, ruined mess otherwise, leaving you unable to complete the attachment, especially if your fingers are damaged and calloused. It really makes you wonder if it will deploy or last. Really infuriating 2.) If using just the clip and not the adhesive feather, use a rubber band or binder clip to hold the mess of bladder together and tight. Keep in mind how it will deploy so the manual inflator doesn’t get ripped off. 3.) If using the adhesive tether, get the ribbon in the end of the buckle BEFORE (unlike the instructions) you put it together with the adhesive patch. Also pay attention to which way the adhesive patch is oriented relative to the direction of pull. It’s perhaps better to be in a “tug of war” orientation versus “ripping off a band-aid” position. Either way, I doubt it’s going to hold and I would lap it (double it) with a reflective sticker from a truck stop. Truckers expect things to work and are working all the time. . . . yachts, well, they just sit mostly. Registering with MMSI failed initially. You need to hold it TOUCHING the computer screen very still and have the screen brightness up. There is no explanation regarding “group MMSI” perhaps you can put the Coast Guard in? The instructions most likely won’t be updated since they may need to submit them to the Coast Guard for review. Don’t expect an email back from support. No idea why they don’t include a few extra tethers with a $375 item. Keep in mind the MOB2 is now out, looks better, smaller and seemingly has an advantage regulatory wise in Europe. Great concept and product but poor execution and instructions. Not sure why I’m so mad about it, but it’s crazy making.

Used it in a swamped 19 foot Bartender just off the coast near Bar Harbor . Declared Mayday and this unit saved our lives we were in the water in July for 45 minutes before rescue. All of our safety equipment kepot us swamped but afloat

Bought 6 of these over time - as with other reviewer, the installation was straightforward. I was able to program my vessel's MMSI number into each of the units (so it would directly transmit the MOB signal to my radio and chart plotter) using the PC-emulator on my MAC and the optical interface method seemed to work fine. Once installed added little bulk to the one side of the vest and still allowed it all to be zipped back up. I have yet to test it by actually deploying the life vest (a bit pricey as I have to then recharge the whole thing again), but I will presume it will work! Hence no 5 stars!