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MOBI Safety Device Approved for Fleet Implementation

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS030303-04
Release Date: 3/1/2003 12:12:00 PM

By Chief Journalist David Nagle, Naval Sea Systems Command Public Affairs

WASHINGTON (NNS) -- A lifesaving device that will revolutionize the way the Navy handles man overboard situations is coming to a ship near you.

The Man Overboard Indicator, or MOBI, will soon be implemented throughout the fleet, based on results of evaluations aboard selected deployed ships and the recommendations of fleet maintenance officers.

MOBI is a water- or manually-activated personal alarm system designed to improve the safety of Sailors involved in operational situations with the potential for falling overboard. MOBI uses a transmitter to aid in the detection, location and recovery of Sailors who fall overboard.

A Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA)-managed program, MOBI was tested aboard 20 ships in the USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) and USS George Washington (CVN 73) Carrier Battle Groups and the USS Nassau (LHA 4) and USS Belleau Wood (LHA 3) Amphibious Ready Groups, along with USS Constellation (CV 64). BriarTek, the company producing MOBI, began installing the devices in February 2002 for the ships to evaluate during their deployments.

"We asked the ships to use it for an entire deployment to ensure it would stand up to the rigors of an at-sea environment and would have a positive effect on saving lives," said Don Neuman, NAVSEA's program manager for MOBI. "All 20 ships responded in a positive way, saying that a MOBI system would help save lives. I believe that's a credit to the design of the system, the efforts of BriarTek and the thoroughness of the Navy team."

"We are very pleased that our testing was so successful," added Rear Adm. Paul Sullivan, NAVSEA deputy commander for ship design integration and engineering. "Cooperation from the ships, from Briartek and from the NAVSEA engineers combined to make this a great success. We are very optimistic about this lifesaving device."

Ship crews identified a number of minor problems with MOBI's design that were already or will be incorporated in the final configuration. Some of the design changes include resetting the electronics to saltwater activation, only to prevent an accidental activation from rain water, and recessed on/off buttons to prevent accidental activation when Sailors lean against a bulkhead.

"There are several other changes we've either made or intend to make that will make MOBI more rugged, reliable and easier to use," said Neuman.

Sailors like Electronics Technician 2nd Class (SW) Jeff Rollins aboard USS Tortuga (LSD 46) helped evaluate the MOBI system and said it will enhance shipboard safety.

"It makes our people feel safer when they're doing deck or flight operations," said Rollins. "They no longer have to depend solely on lookouts spotting you, especially late at night. Because of the saltwater activation, the ship's MOBI system can now detect if a Sailor falls overboard."

NAVSEA, BriarTek and Coastal Systems Station Panama City, Fla., will meet in March to develop a plan to implement MOBI throughout the fleet. The goal, said Neuman, is for BriarTek to begin installation and crew training in the fall of 2003.