Originally Published: October 20, 2015 | Courtesy: Globalstar
Covington, LA (October 20, 2015) – Globalstar, Inc. (NYSE MKT: GSAT) and its subsidiary SPOT LLC will be showcasing their affordable satellite communications solutions for the marine market at the upcoming Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, November 5 – 9, 2015. Douglas Snider of Pensacola, Florida will be at the booth on November 5 and 6 to share his reliance on SPOT since the device saved him and three other crew members after nearly capsizing during extreme, unpredictable weather conditions.
Satellite technology is essential in today’s marine world, where cell service often becomes patchy or unavailable. For those who need to maintain constant connectivity and want it over the world’s newest mobile satellite network, the Globalstar GSP-1700 (now FREE on select airtime plans) is the smallest, lightest satellite phone on the market. It also boasts both the clearest voice quality and data speeds 4x than the competition. Paired with the new Globalstar 9600, customers can use their existing devices to send and receive email over the Globalstar satellite network. Many boaters are also enjoying the convenience of the new Globalstar Sat-Fi® hotspot, which pairs with your existing Wi-Fi enabled device, e.g. smartphone or tablet to make calls, send texts or email from beyond cellular.
“I just got introduced to the Globalstar GSP-1700 satellite phone and 9600 data hotspot so I can stay connected all summer long as we continue to reel in tuna. I’ll have the ability to make calls, send emails and should an emergency occur, contact first responders. After trying it out over the last few weeks, I have to say it’s a “must-have” for every boat out there. And because of communicating with the other boat using our sat phone, we moved and caught a 700 pounder,” commented Captain Dave Carraro, Wicked Tuna Competitor.
Boaters like Douglas Snider also rely on SPOT’s life-saving technology, which has helped to initiate 3,900+ rescues around the globe. SPOT Gen3®, the latest generation of the SPOT Satellite GPS Messenger®, offers the same custom messaging, check in, tracking and SOS functionality as previous iterations, but also enhanced tracking features, improved battery performance and more power options. SPOT Trace®, the newest addition to the SPOT family, is already helping thousands of boaters keep tabs on their high-value vessels. Users can receive theft-alert SMS texts or emails when movement is detected. Show attendees will be able to secure both devices for absolutely FREE with the purchase of a service plan.
Snider was part of a crew who recently found themselves in unpredicted bad weather as they headed from North Carolina to Pensacola, causing damage to their sails and rigging. “If the boat had been parallel with the waves, we would have capsized,” said Captain of the vessel Frank Rawley. “We were 63 miles offshore in 30 foot breaking seas with wind gusts at 50 miles per hour. We deployed a drogue, but eventually the waves ripped it off.”
Within two hours of the SPOT S.O.S. activation, both Navy and Coast Guard helicopters had located the damaged vessel. Due to such poor weather conditions, it was not an easy rescue. One, by one, the crew jumped off the boat in life jackets, each carrying a strobe light to assist with visibility. Thanks to the courageous efforts of both the crew and the rescue teams, all four individuals were brought to safety. According to Rawley, “No other piece of emergency gear would have helped us survive our ordeal. Self-rescue is not always possible and getting the professionals on the way is the only option. I will not go offshore again without a SPOT Gen3.”
To learn more about Globalstar/SPOT products and services, or to meet Douglas Snider and learn more about this rescue, please stop by booths #310 and #311 in the Bahia Mar Electronics Tent. To schedule an appointment, please contact Erica Kelt.
Below: Globalstar rescue video.
Above: SPOT rescuee, Frank Rawley, to be on hand at 2015 Ft. Lauderdale Boat Show booth #310/311 in the Bahia Mar Electronics Tent to speak about the technology that saved his life.
