20 top new gear ideas for 2020 – the best innovations for sailors
U SAFE
Described as an ‘aquatic robot’, the U SAFE Buoy was this year’s overall design awards winner for its deceptive simplicity and many potential uses for rescue and saving lives at sea. This robust lifebuoy has two in-built jet drives, one in each arm, and is operated by a remote handheld control with a joystick. It is designed to be sent out to a casualty.
A video by U SAFE (on Youtube) shows how it works, being driven out to a man overboard and assisting in recovery. The buoy can travel at 10 knots for around 30 minutes and has the power to pull back one or even two people.
According to U SAFE commercial director, Nick Bice, formerly head of the Volvo Ocean Race’s Boatyard facility, “For a fully grown adult, it can tow at approx 5km/h, a bit slower with two people.”
The buoy is a large unit and expensive, so best suited to larger yachts or superyachts. It is robust and sturdily designed, weighing 13kg, and features large grab handles on the outside.
The DAME jury felt it would also be useful as a safety device on beaches, marinas and harbours. This forerunner of what you might term ‘in-water drones’ is an exciting idea. The future use of drones in rescue is well-accepted, and if you imagine a future version linked with AIS or PLB data, it could change the face of onboard rescue gear.
Price: €6,500. www.usafe-global.com
The Garmin GPSMAP 86i was a clear winner of the marine electronics category. This neat, well-designed, water-resistant and buoyant handheld unit allows you emergency or small boat navigation on a sunlight readable 3in screen, tracking via Inreach satellite communications plus the means of sending two-way SMS or SOS messages via the Iridium network and receiving weather forecasts.
The unit can also be used as a remote control for a Garmin autopilot and Fusion audio system. If you’re using a Garmin chartplotter and instruments it will also sync with real-time boat data.
A well-designed, well-built unit that would be ideal as a system backup or for the emergency grab bag.
Price €499. www.garmin.com