OLAS stands for Overboard Location Alert System and has been developed and built on innovation for performance lighting and safety products for the marine industry by UK based Exposure. The OLAS system uses Bluetooth technology to provide a scalable and affordable wireless safety system for motor and sailing vessels up to 80ft in length. OLAS creates virtual tethers to crew, family, pets and onboard equipment ensuring that if they fall overboard an alarm is triggered. In a Man Over Board (MOB) situation OLAS will sound an alarm and record the latitude and longitude of the incident. 

The OLAS product range is split into 2 product functions; OLAS transmitters and OLAS receivers. Crew members must be wearing an OLAS transmitter, either an OLAS Tag an OLAS Float-On (a smart water activated lifejacket LED light with MOB technology incorporated inside) or the all new rechargeable OLAS T2 Tag which will be available from May/June 2022.

These transmitters are tethered and synchronised by Bluetooth to one of the OLAS receiver units, either the OLAS CORE, OLAS GUARDIAN, or the all new OLAS N2K unit before leaving the vessels berth. The OLAS system is capable of tracking up to 25 OLAS transmitters around a vessel. If an OLAS transmitter goes missing or the manual MOB button is pressed, the OLAS system will trigger an alarm via the inbuilt 85DB alarm in the unit and also via the vessels onboard NMEA connected devices when connected by the OLAS N2K. The alarm will also sound on all crew members smartphones that are logged on to the system using the free OLAS App.

The range of a Bluetooth signal has greatly been improved since the technology was first used in MOB systems and now sufficient for the system to work reliably on yachts up to 80ft in length. Any blind or troublesome signal spots can be easily fixed utilising the OLAS Extender, which can be used to cover/boost areas where transmitter signal may be blocked. This minimises false alarms and allows the system to be installed on larger vessels up to 80ft and the ability to scale the system up if required.

The OLAS system works because water absorbs electromagnetic waves very efficiently. The connection or tether is broken even if the tag is just under the water surface. By using this method of a permanent connectivity by Bluetooth, the OLAS MOB system effectively has an in-built fail safe. If a transmitter becomes out of range to the receiver (which will happen when the vessel is on the move and the transmitter is overboard or becomes out of range) then the alarm will be triggered. The OLAS system can therefore also be used for security, by simply attaching a transmitter to the vessels equipment such as a MOB flotation device, a liferaft or the yacht tender, ( and naming the transmitter as "Tender", Liferaft or Horseshoe Buoy" using the APP) you can always be aware if something has gone missing. A very useful additional feature for example when on passage and towing the tender!

The OLAS MOB system alerts crew members via it's inbuilt 85db speaker or additionally over the ship’s speakers (when connected via the vessels NMEA network using the OLAS N2K unit) and will also trigger a high-power emergency red light, providing clear visual indication of an alert whilst also acting as a light to illuminate the surrounding area. The OLAS GUARDIAN or OLAS N2K can even stop the engine, if the vessels engine is fitted or permits a kill switch function. This is something usually only seen fitted on vessels with outboard engines, but a really good and practical option for all sailing vessels. After 5 seconds the kill switch is deactivated enabling the engine to be restarted and full MOB crew procedures to be carried out.

In summary, the OLAS MOB system from Exposure represents the very latest innovation in crew overboard technology with portable and hard wired & networked to vessel options and includes many additional features, all at a low cost for an essential item of onboard safety equipment.

What is OLAS?

OLAS stands for Overboard Location Alert System. It has been developed to provide a scalable wireless safety system for motor and sailing vessels up to 80ft in length. OLAS creates virtual tethers to crew, family, pets and objects ensuring that if they fall overboard an alarm is triggered. OLAS is split into 2 product functions; OLAS transmitters and OLAS receivers.

OLAS Transmitters

The OLAS Tag and the OLAS Float-ON are considered OLAS transmitters. They emit a Bluetooth signal, which is monitored by any OLAS receivers, creating a wireless tether.

The transmitters are portable devices to be carried, worn or attached to crew, family and pets

OLAS Receivers

The OLAS receivers track the OLAS transmitters. OLAS receivers are:

Guardian

Installed wireless kill switch and overboard alarm

Core

Portable overboard alarm

Extender

A repeater to increase the range of the Guardian and Core up to 80ft

How does it work?

OLAS transmitters are synced up with the receivers whilst in dock. The system then operates in the background, continuously checking to ensure all crew, family and pets are still within range. When the virtual tether is broken between a receiver and a transmitter, the receiver triggers an alarm, emergency light and OLAS mobile application.

Instant alert to an overboard incident enables rapid recovery to be actioned.

The OLAS Mobile Application

The OLAS mobile application allows the OLAS transmitters to be used as a MOB/proximity alarm creating a portable system that can be taken from vessel to vessel without costly installation. When an OLAS transmitter goes out of range an alarm is set off and overboard screens are activated.

When the OLAS mobile application is connected to the Guardian or Core it allows greater control over the OLAS transmitters that are being tracked, whilst also acting as an extra alarm and rescue aid.

The OLAS app has 4 key rescue features, automatically activated when the MOB alarm sounds:

1. Records and displays MOB Alert GPS position (no cell phone signal required)
2. Displays MOB mayday call with custom vessel information and MOB Alert GPS position
3. Clear arrow directing back to the MOB Alert GPS position
4. Solo mode – automatic SMS to custom number with MOB Alert GPS position

Key Features 

• Connects up to 15 OLAS Transmitters (OLAS Tags or OLAS Float-On)
• Connect up to 6 tags to 1 phone or tablet
• Connect 1 tag to multiple phones / tablets
• Low battery alert
• Rechargeable battery feature with the OLAS T2 Tag
• Cost effective & expandable MOB system
• Engine kill system with the OLAS Guardian or OLAS N2K
• NMEA 2000 integration with the OLAS N2K
• Dedicated MOB button with the OLAS N2K
• Additional navigation features including SOG, COG, bearing to waypoint, course to steer and a compass
• APP records and displays MOB Alert GPS position (no cell phone signal required)
• APP displays MOB mayday call with custom vessel information and MOB Alert GPS position
• Clear arrow directing back to the MOB Alert GPS position
• Solo mode – automatic SMS to custom number with MOB Alert GPS position
• Extender compatible to boost the system to cover up to an 80ft long vessel.
• Portable and compact along with low power consumption – 5V USB
• Inbuilt Emergency Light
• System feedback
• Assist to clearly and concisely transfer relevant information to the coast guard

Advantages

• Long battery life - 5 months and user replaceable (rechargeable battery for the new T2 model)
• Versatile attachment solutions - watch strap, life jacket, or MOB device
• The markets most cost effective crew tag available and includes free App
• A portable solution or hard wired and networked into vessels systems 
• Additional navigation features including SOG, COG, bearing to waypoint, course to steer and a compass
• Connect multiple tags to 1 phone or tablet
• Connect 1 tag to multiple phones / tablets
• Low battery alert

Uses

• Protect and track crew onboard
• Portable system to take with you whilst chartering or sailing on other vessels 
• Versatile - use for crew, pets, or MOB devices such as Danbuoy, Horseshoe Buoy or liferafts
• Free App to use to monitor crew and onboard equipment with additional navigation features including SOG, COG, bearing to waypoint, course to steer and a compass
• A portable solution or hard wired and networked into vessels systems 
• Create a large and very cost effective onboard MOB system to monitor up to 15 crew or objects
• Monitor live navigation data whilst cruising or racing
• Significantly increase the chance of self-rescue in a Man Overboard emergency