Shakespeare Marine inflatable antenna

Global leader in marine antenna design, Shakespeare Marine, introduced the first ever inflatable emergency VHF antenna last year with incredible success within the marine industry – including winning the highly-acclaimed DAME Award in the lifesaving and safety equipment category last year, and the Innovation Award at the inaugural Maritime UK Awards. It is now being introduced to the kayak sector – so we wanted to know more.

Sea kayakers

Proving itself to be a popular piece of safety equipment with sea kayakers and kayak fisherman, the GALAXY INFL8 has received positive acclaim for its innovation and ease of use, as well as the benefit of working with VHF – which is becoming more engrained in leisure activities.

When out on the water, safety is of paramount importance and if an emergency occurs, individuals need to be as prepared as possible. With kayaking rising in popularity as a leisure activity, there is a clear requirement for better safety equipment to be more widely available on the market.

Marine Band (156-162MHz)

The GALAXY-INFL8 revolutionises the market due to its compact and powerful design, and use of the latest technology. When deployed, the inflatable antenna automatically inflates to 1.6 metres via an imbedded canister or manual tube. Once activated, it is tuned into the Marine Band (156-162MHz) and matches the performance of any standard 3dB antenna, offering a range up to three times greater than any existing helical emergency antenna, ensuring there is no opportunity for error during an emergency at sea. In test, it is reported to have picked up traffic further than our kayakers have found before or with another product.

Thanks to its expert design capabilities and cutting-edge technology, the inflatable antenna is super lightweight at only 500g and can be stored in a small space of 250mm, extending to 1.6m 3dB antenna when in use. It can be stowed on the outside of the kayak or inside in a polybottle for example, ensuring it is always in easy reach. Its dedicated dry bag keeps the inflatable antenna nice and compact, and is openable with one hand – for multitasking or use in times of emergency.

reusable

The innovative antenna has been designed with multiple features to enhance users’ safety whilst on the water, including contrasting colours to allow it to be seen day and night. The antenna is mounted with hook and loop straps allowing for quick and easy installation in any weather, and thanks to its inflatable design and manual valve it is reusable, so it can be deflated and stowed away safely until it is needed.

search and rescue

Particularly in the case of an emergency situation at sea, the aerial on the GALAXY-INFL8 is a fantastic aid when search and rescue teams are searching for kayakers. The added height of the aerial will be larger than most waves and therefore increase detection significantly. And whilst some emergency signally devices (pyrotechnic and electronic) can pinpoint locations in an emergency, a small kayaker that is low to the water – or even in the water – is much more difficult to find, so these benefits are tenfold.

This pioneering technology has been patented to Shakespeare Marine and to date, the GALAXY-INFL8 has now been awarded seven prestigious awards for innovation, technology and safety within the industry. More than 1,000 units have been shipped around the world since its launch and even more are being processed.

Established in 1897, Shakespeare® Marine is a global antenna brand with a reputation for superior quality, performance and durability.

Find out more on the website, www.shakespeare-marine.com or contact the European offices on +44 (0) 1253 858 787.