Virtual Lifeline Alarm & Engine Shut Off Systems (Patented)
VL and Cast wireless lanyard systems meet or exceed ABYC standards for Emergency Cut-Off Devices (ABYC A-33).
Thanks to Virtual Lifeline “wireless lanyard” System, for the first time ever everyone onboard can have falls overboard protection without the hassles caused by old school tethers or proximity based devices. Each person, (pets too!) wears a small, durable, reusable sensor allowing you freedom to move about the boat, Only upon submersion the sensor immediately activates – sending a signal to the onboard control module, which sounds an audible and/or visual alarm and shuts off the motor(s). Someone remaining onboard may quickly activate Rescue Mode, restart the motor and safely retrieve the person in the water. It’s that simple!
Virtual Lifeline (VL) is easy to install and is the only “wireless lanyard” system that meets or exceeds ABYC standards for Emergency Shut Off Devices (ABYC A-33). Being ABYC compliant, you can be assured VL will not compromise the safe and normal operation of your vessel or any of its onboard systems. Virtual Lifeline will only enhance the level of safety for everyone onboard!
Introduced in 2005, VL has received multiple industry awards for its function and effectiveness. This “wireless lanyard” system has become industry’s choice to help combat the hazards associated with falls overboard.
Virtual Lifeline is available for all engine configurations and can be customized to meet most any special request. Easy to install and maintain, VL should be the first safety enhancement made to your boat. When it comes to protecting your most precious cargo, you can trust the original award winning “wireless lanyard.” Industry and those who patrol our waterways do!
From entry level to OEM, Virtual Lifeline Systems are affordably priced and available in Standard and Helm Mount (OEM) versions. VL can be ordered factory direct, at your local dealership, or at the boat manufacturer of your choice in the following configurations.
All of our systems are FLW approved.
Virtual Lifeline Pricing and Configuration
Standard Mount (Available in these configurations only)
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| Description |
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MSRP |
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| Single Motor- Inboard/Stern drive (1 sensor) |
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$249.00 |
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| Single Motor- Outboard (1 sensor) |
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$249.00 |
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| Dual Motor- Outboard (1 sensor) |
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$289.00 |
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Helm Mount (Available in any configuration. Customization avail.)
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| Description |
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MSRP |
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| Universal System - applicable to: Single Outboards, Dual Outboards, Single Inboard/Stern Drives & Diesel (w/specs) (2 sensors) |
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$599.00 |
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| Dual Motor- Inboard/Stern drive (2 sensors) |
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$639.00 |
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| Dual Diesel (specs required) (2 sensors) |
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$639.00 |
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| Triple Motor- Outboard (2 sensors) |
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$679.00 |
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| Quad Motor- Outboard (2 sensors) |
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$719.00 |
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| Additional Activation Outputs (ea.) |
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$69.00 |
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| VL Alarm Only |
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$539.00 |
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Additional Sensors
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| Description |
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MSRP |
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| VL/CAST – Standard Sensor (each) |
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$69.00 |
| Sensor Refurbishing |
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$39.00 |
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FAQs
Q. How many sensors can be used with Virtual Lifeline?
A. There is no limit to the number of sensors you may use with Virtual Lifeline.
Q. How do I get more sensors?
A. You may purchase more sensors from your marine factory direct, at your local dealership, or at the boat manufacture.
Q. May I reuse the sensor?
A. Yes, sensors may be reused as many times as battery life allows (approximately 2-4 years).
Q. How does the sensor work?
A. Inside is a wafer thin circuit board that “senses” when it’s submerged. This accumulation of water activates the circuitry and immediately sends a radio signal to the control module which responds accordingly.
Q. Does Virtual Lifeline work in salt and fresh water?
A. Yes.
Q. Does Virtual Lifeline compromise the existing kill switch in any way?
A. No, Being ABYC A-33 compliant, VL does not “piggy back” onto the existing kill switch, nor do you take the kill switch out of service. VL simply integrates into the ignition system (in series or parallel) as is the current kill switch.
Q. Why is this important?
A. If you take a device and “piggy back” onto another, you’ve increased the potential to compromise both devices. If one is damaged or fails, both devices will become incapacitated. By properly integrating into the ignition system, you maintain system independence. Both the current kill switch and VL can function as designed, shutting off the motor when activated. This also provides the operator with a redundant (or back up) safety system and maintains the standards by which the boat was built to.
Q. Why did Maritech Industries choose “submersion” over “proximity” based technology?
A. Actually, years prior to introducing Virtual Lifeline, we tried proximity based technology as a means to shut off a boat’s motor(s). The outcome of our engineering and accident reconstruction reports found “proximity” inconsistent with the normal and safe operation of a boat. To help clarify this, you should know how “proximity” works.
Proximity is based on a continuous signal being sent by a transmitter to a receiver. Loss of that signal will cause the receiver to respond according to its design. This is always associated with distance. We found this acceptable for alarming purposes only, not as a means to shut off a boat’s motor(s). On a boat, loss of a signal could be achieved in many other ways non-conducive to a motor being shut off, such as low batteries or simply compromising line of sight by (i.e. doors, walls, towels, people etc). These scenarios caused numerous false activations.
One other concern was the outcome to our “circle of death” evaluations. Simulating a person in the water, we put a boat into the “circle of death” pattern. Due to the boat remaining close to the victim, signal strength was maintained. Thus, the motor did not shut down placing the victim in a hazardous position.
These are just a few of the reasons Maritech Industries chose not to develop a “wireless lanyard” using “proximity” based technology during emergency conditions.
In 2004 the USCG Office of Boating Safety asked us to once again look into this safety issue. This time we decided to develop Submersion based technology as a means to shut off a boat’s motor(s). Submersion is based on maintaining an accumulation of water to generate a signal from a transmitter to its receiver causing a designed response.
Utilizing the same engineering and accident reconstruction criteria, we found this methodology was consistent with the normal and safe operation of a boat. One year later, Virtual Lifeline was introduced.
Q. What about false activations with Virtual Lifeline?
A. As with most "proximity" based alarms and/or shut off devices, false activations are very common. All you have to do is block the (always on) signal by a towel, going around a corner, or even by your on board passengers. Also, how many times have you accidently pulled the tether by reaching for something? Virtual Lifeline has been designed to eliminate false activations. VL will only activate if you simulate a submersion. Only then will VL shut off the motor and/or alarm. Simulating a submersion may cause an inadvertent activation, but definitely not a false one. However, being ABYC A-33 compliant, you can restart the motor(s) very quickly. Simply go to neutral, press the Rescue Mode switch and start the motor. It's that quick!
Q. What is Rescue Mode?
A. Rescue Mode deactivates the motor shut down circuitry of VL enabling the quick restarting of the engine to recover the person overboard.
Q. What types of motors work with Virtual Lifeline?
A. Virtual Lifeline may be used with any type of propulsion system, whether you have one or several motors.
Q. Are there any other options available for Virtual Lifeline?
A. Yes, VL can be customized for many uses. Below are just a few options our customers have requested:
Activation of exterior audible and/or visual alarms.
Activation of man overboard circuitry on some chart plotters.
Activation of man/officer in distress radio frequencies.
Alarm only for boats, dock side employment and family swimming pools.
Modified for fleet requirements.
If you have any other questions, or if we can help in any way, please don’t hesitate to contact us at your earliest convenience.
Safety Concern:
According to US Coast Guard’s Boating Accident Reporting Database (BARD), 53% of all boating injuries and death are related to falls overboard (FOB). The most recent statistics disprove the notion that a falls overboard event is isolated only to the boat operator. It is now estimated 34% of all FOB events are the passengers going overboard, while the operator is at the helm. A secondary safety concern is the potential danger and damage a runaway boat could cause. These scenarios are why the USCG Office of Boating Safety and the marine industry is working diligently toward the implementation of strategies to enhance the level of safety on your boat.
Our response to this safety issue was the development and introduction of the Virtual Lifeline ”wireless lanyard” System.
Virtual Lifeline was the very first “wireless lanyard” ever introduced to the marine industry, is a multiple award winning system and is the choice of industry to help combat the hazards associated with falls overboard.
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The Virtual Lifeline XL
