Recovery-module deployment moves onto the yacht network
Ocean Safety’s Jon Buoy Smart Release is designed to connect the company’s Mk 6 Recovery Module with a yacht’s onboard electronics. When linked to a compatible NMEA 2000 network, the recovery module can be triggered remotely from multiple positions or incorporated into the vessel’s wider man-overboard process.
The aim is to reduce the time between an MOB alert and deployment of flotation and recovery equipment. Instead of requiring somebody to reach the stern-mounted module physically, the system allows activation from the bridge or another convenient control position while the crew begins the recovery manoeuvre.
Remote release can operate with or without NMEA 2000
The Smart Release includes an illuminated control panel and can operate from the yacht’s 12V or 24V electrical system. NMEA 2000 integration adds networked functionality, but Ocean Safety’s operating instructions make clear that the recovery module can still be deployed from the dedicated MOB control if the network connection is unavailable.
That separation is important for safety equipment because a network fault should not remove the basic release function. The unit provides status indication for system power and NMEA activity, allowing the crew to confirm whether the network connection is active before getting underway.
Installation can extend across larger yachts
Ocean Safety supplies the system with a 10m cable between the plunger and control box, while extension sets allow the run from the control box to the Mk 6 container to reach as much as 50m. That gives installers flexibility to place the control hardware and recovery module where they best suit the yacht’s deck and helm arrangement.
The Smart Release is a single-use emergency device after active deployment and is serviced in conjunction with the Jon Buoy Mk 6 Recovery Module. An inline connector allows the plunger box and recovery module to be disconnected from the vessel for servicing without dismantling the rest of the installation.
Integrated safety systems are moving onto common networks
NMEA 2000 is already used extensively for engines, navigation, tanks and environmental data on modern yachts. Connecting MOB recovery equipment to the same network extends that integration into a safety function where seconds can matter, while retaining a dedicated manual activation route.
For owner-operated and short-handed yachts, the concept is particularly relevant because fewer crew may be available to handle the vessel and deploy recovery equipment simultaneously. A networked release cannot replace MOB procedures and training, but it can remove one physical step from the initial emergency response.
