If someone goes over the side, raising the alarm quickly matters, and it's the alerting system built into the rescueME PLB3 that has just earned Ocean Signal a King's Award for Enterprise 2026 in the Innovation category. The beacon is sold in New Zealand through Lusty & Blundell.
The PLB3 is the first PLB in the world to combine a 406MHz distress signal with AIS, and the AIS transmission is what changes things for anyone still within range of their own boat. When activated, vessels with compatible AIS equipment within VHF range will pick up the beacon as an AIS target on their display, a position that may include the casualty's own boat. The AIS, 406MHz and 121.5MHz signals all work together as part of the same alerting sequence, so a nearby crew isn't waiting on one system before the others respond.
The 406MHz distress signal transmits through the Cospas-Sarsat satellite network, the same system used by EPIRBs, notifying search and rescue authorities of the beacon's position. The 121.5MHz homing signal helps rescuers locate the PLB once they've reached the search area, since a beacon can drift from where it first transmitted.
Return Link Service confirms the distress message has been received and the location detected, shown to the user as a flashing blue light on the unit. NFC is also fitted, so holding a compatible phone against the beacon opens Ocean Signal's free app, showing battery life and test history.
Ocean Signal has built the PLB3 to integrate into most inflatable lifejackets, where it activates semi-automatically once correctly installed and the jacket inflates. A visible strobe and an infrared strobe are included for use at night or in poor visibility. Ocean Signal says the beacon has proved popular with coastal and offshore sailors, solo sailors, inshore and offshore fishers, and those out on lakes and rivers.
The award was officially recognised at a St James's Palace reception on July 8, where King Charles III personally congratulated industry leaders and pioneers. Ocean Signal's Chief Technical Officer and founding member, Simon Nolan, attended on the company's behalf, with Princess Anne, President of the RYA, also present.
"Receiving the King's Award for Enterprise in Innovation is a tremendous honour for our team," Nolan said. "The rescueME PLB3 reflects years of engineering focus on improving survival outcomes through faster, more reliable distress alerting."
The PLB3 was also the overall winner of the METSTRADE DAME Design Award in 2022.
