Briggs Marine has committed to investing in Personal Locator Beacons (PLBs) that will be fitted to all employees self-inflating life jackets. The investment forms part of the company’s continued drive to improve maritime safety. The PLB’s will increase a crew member’s chance of recovery should a person overboard situation arise.
Whilst not a mandatory requirement, the fitting of PLBs to lifejackets enables potential rescuers to be alerted to a distress signal which is automatically activated when the wearer enters the water. The electronic transmitting device is designed to send a continuous causality position to all vessels in the vicinity that are fitted with electronic finding equipment – significantly increasing the chances of a quick recovery, especially during the hours of darkness or bad weather conditions when visibility is poor.
Briggs Marine’s pledge comes from its Board of Directors and is a direct result of a positive safety suggestion being made internally using Briggs Marine’s online QHSE management system. Briggs actively encourages its staff to provide feedback on safety within the workplace and this is a good example of that system enabling continuous improvement in day-to-day operations.
Scott Ward, Briggs Marine’s Group HSEQ manager commented
“This safety initiative shows the positive safety leadership and commitment of the Board to listen and act on safety observations raised within the systems. The initiative was welcomed and unanimously agreed by the Board along with any associated necessary upgrade of life jackets”
He continued “Whilst it is not the industry standard to fit PLBs to all life jackets, Briggs Marine is keen to drive the standard as it has for the last 50 years”