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Two-way radio communications manufacturer Icom has launched the world's first marine VHF hand-portable radio with an integrated AIS receiver as well as DSC and GPS.

The IC-M94DE is the first handheld marine radio that offers users receive information broadcast by other AIS-equipped vessels. The IC-M94DE provides vessel traffic information shown on the radios large display. With its new design and simple to use features, this, says ICOM, is a game-changing device for anyone who ventures out to sea for recreation or work.

The  Icom IC-M94DE is the world's first marine VHF handportable radio with an integrated AIS receiver as well as DSC and GPSThe Icom IC-M94DE is the world's first marine VHF handportable radio with an integrated AIS receiver as well as DSC and GPS

Other features include 6W of RF power, class-leading 1500 mW of audio output with improved acoustic sound clarity, ensuring clear communications no matter the environment. This hand portable has more battery power (approx. 10 hours) for extended operations. You can also assign up to 50 favourite destinations, fishing spots etc. as waypoints with the enhanced Navigation feature.

The radio features Icom's own Float'n Flash and AquaQuake, keeping your radio operational if it becomes submerged. The Man Overboard function is included for operator protection. Pressing the distress button while Float'n Flash is activated will transmit the MOB distress signal, allowing the operator to be more quickly and easily located.

The IC-M94DE will be available from CH Marine in Ireland from mid-April.

Published in News Update
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Measuring just under 13cm in height, ICOM claims that its IC-M23 is the smallest and lightest buoyant handheld VHF radio on the market.

The IC-M23 is powered by Icom's most "eco-friendly" marine battery yet. The BP-266, a compact 3.7V,
1500 mAh Lithium-Ion battery pack helps reduce the overall volume and weight of the IC-M23. Yet thanks
to a newly developed PA circuit within the radio, boat users can still expect a full 5 Watts of transmit power
and up to 10 hours of typical operating time.

The new transceiver can match the audio and battery performance of comparable models. What's more, the IC-M23 sports a bright red LED which flashes if dropped in water, even if the radio is turned off making it easy to find, day or night.

600mW (typ.) of audio output makes the radio easy to hear, even when in a loud cabin or out in stormy conditions. There are volume loud/mute functions that temporarily change the IC-M23's volume
to the maximum/minimum level with two touches of a button.

Depending on the background noise level, you can easily change the volume level to capture the received
message. The IC-M23 contains well known Icom features including favourite channel feature, dual/tri watch, one-touch "Tag" scanning and a 4-step battery life indicator. It also contains Icom's unique AquaQuake feature, which uses low-frequency sound waves to clear water away from the speaker grille.

An optional extended 3 year waterproof warranty is available free of charge to customers who register on-line.

The IC-M23 is available now with a special introductory offer price of Euro 199.95 (inc.VAT) from sole Irish
leisure market distributor Western Marine (phone 01 2800321) and from all good chandlers.

Published in Marketplace
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Irish Marine Firms Western Marine and 53 Degrees North have announced the opening of a 'watersports superstore' at the Western Marine premises at Bulloch Harbour, Dalkey.

53 Degrees North, Ireland's Outdoor Adventure Stores with branches already at Carrickmines and Blanchardstown - caters to Climbing, Hillwalking, Biking, Camping, Hiking, and of course watersports including Kayaking, Sailing, Surfing and Swimming.

Western Marine, Ireland's Largest Marine Distributors, was established in 1966 and is based at Bulloch Harbour since 1968. Western Marine caters to all marine markets, from sailing and motorboating to commercial workboats, and specialises in inflatable boats and RIBs as well as a huge range of marine equipment, lifesaving equipment etc.

Commenting on the new store, Western Marine's MD, Hogan Magee said "We're very enthusiastic about this venture - 53 Degrees North carry a full range of clothing, footwear and equipment from value for money through to top end premium quality products and that fits very well with our own philosophy of providing of premium quality at affordable prices.

The two ranges are complimentary, with very little product overlap, and the result is a truly comprehensive watersports display that we think is unparalleled anywhere in Ireland".

53 Degrees North MD Alan McFarlane said "We're really excited about this. Western Marine has a superb reputation in all marine markets, and the combination of the Western Marine and 53 Degrees North brands will give us both a wonderful opportunity to grow our businesses.The huge range of watersports gear which we offer now has a waterside home, and a whole new customer base. With free car parking spaces available in the adjacent boatyard, shopping with 53 Degrees North at Western Marine could not be easier"

Among the huge range of brands now available under one roof are worldwide leaders including Zodiac inflatable boats and RIBs, Teleflex steerings and engine controls, Skipper and Besto lifejackets & buoyancy aids, Icom VHFs, Gleistein yacht ropes, McMurdo EPIRBs, Harken, Lewmar, Garmin GPS, Pains Wessex Flares, Musto, Helly-Hansen and Henri-Lloyd sailing clothing, Dubarry marine footwear, O'Neill wetsuits, Oakley eyewear, surfboards by Cortez, and kayaks by Islander and Wilderness.

The new store is open 7 days a week throughout the Summer, with opening hours 9am to 6pm Monday through Saturday, and 1pm to 6pm on Sunday

Published in Marine Trade

The 2024 Vendée Globe Race

A record-sized fleet of 44 skippers are aiming for the tenth edition of the Vendée Globe: the 24,296 nautical miles solo non-stop round-the-world race from Les Sables d’Olonne in France, on Sunday, November 10 2024 and will be expected back in mid-January 2025.

Vendée Globe Race FAQs

Six women (Alexia Barrier, Clarisse Cremer, Isabelle Joschke, Sam Davies, Miranda Merron, Pip Hare).

Nine nations (France, Germany, Japan, Finland, Spain, Switzerland, Australia, and Great Britain)

After much speculation following Galway man Enda O’Coineen’s 2016 race debut for Ireland, there were as many as four campaigns proposed at one point, but unfortunately, none have reached the start line.

The Vendée Globe is a sailing race round the world, solo, non-stop and without assistance. It takes place every four years and it is regarded as the Everest of sailing. The event followed in the wake of the Golden Globe which had initiated the first circumnavigation of this type via the three capes (Good Hope, Leeuwin and Horn) in 1968.

The record to beat is Armel Le Cléac’h 74 days 3h 35 minutes 46s set in 2017. Some pundits are saying the boats could beat a sub-60 day time.

The number of theoretical miles to cover is 24,296 miles (45,000 km).

The IMOCA 60 ("Open 60"), is a development class monohull sailing yacht run by the International Monohull Open Class Association (IMOCA). The class pinnacle events are single or two-person ocean races, such as the Route du Rhum and the Vendée Globe.

Zero past winners are competing but two podiums 2017: Alex Thomson second, Jérémie Beyou third. It is also the fifth participation for Jean Le Cam and Alex Thomson, fourth for Arnaud Boissières and Jérémie Beyou.

The youngest on this ninth edition of the race is Alan Roura, 27 years old.

The oldest on this ninth edition is Jean Le Cam, 61 years old.

Over half the fleet are debutantes, totalling 18 first-timers.

The start procedure begins 8 minutes before the gun fires with the warning signal. At 4 minutes before, for the preparatory signal, the skipper must be alone on board, follow the countdown and take the line at the start signal at 13:02hrs local time. If an IMOCA crosses the line too early, it incurs a penalty of 5 hours which they will have to complete on the course before the latitude 38 ° 40 N (just north of Lisbon latitude). For safety reasons, there is no opportunity to turn back and recross the line. A competitor who has not crossed the starting line 60 minutes after the signal will be considered as not starting. They will have to wait until a time indicated by the race committee to start again. No departure will be given after November 18, 2020, at 1:02 p.m when the line closes.

The first boat could be home in sixty days. Expect the leaders from January 7th 2021 but to beat the 2017 race record they need to finish by January 19 2021.

Today, building a brand new IMOCA generally costs between 4.2 and €4.7million, without the sails but second-hand boats that are in short supply can be got for around €1m.

©Afloat 2020

Vendee Globe 2024 Key Figures

  • 10th edition
  • Six women (vs six in 2020)
  • 16 international skippers (vs 12 in 2020)
  • 11 nationalities represented: France, United Kingdom, Switzerland, Germany, Italy, Belgium, Hungary, Japan, China, USA, New Zealand (vs 9 in 2020)
  • 18 rookies (vs 20 in 2020)
  • 30 causes supported
  • 14 new IMOCAs (vs 9 in 2020)
  • Two 'handisport' skippers

At A Glance - Vendee Globe 2024

The 10th edition will leave from Les Sables d’Olonne on November 10, 2024

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