Custom Divers Seeker SMB

The SEEKER Radar detectable inflatable surface marker buoy is a visual marker combined with a radar detectable device and is ideal for all types of adventure sports as well as divers, snorkelers, swimmers and other applications for search and rescue situations.

The SEEKER Radar detectable surface marker buoy is detectable using radar systems from boats/helicopters or any radar seeking equipment. This system has a proven radar range of one and half miles from boats and a two mile range from helicopters in mild to moderate sea conditions but its signal may continue to be received intermittently in more severe circumstances. This particular system has been designed to work inside inflatable surface marker buoys. Using a conductive material and shaped to receive and send back radar signals the marker buoy reflects the radar signals enabling search and rescue services to locate the position within a distance of two miles and would be ideal to locate personnel in emergencies such as fog and night time rescue situations.

The SEEKER system can also be used by snorkelers and swimmers who may possibly not be seen by oncoming vessels and would also be detectable if lost at sea. The SEEKER system is configured within an inflatable buoy which is tubular in shape, and is manufactured from high visible flow orange waterproof polyurethane coated in nylon. In addition, many high visible colours will also be made available. The SEEKER radar conductive shape is positioned inside the top part of the inflatable buoy and is welded to the inside walls of the buoy. When the SEEKER buoy is inflated the radar construction inside unfolds and is formed to operate. The SEEKER buoy may be inflated in four different ways:-

1. By blowing through the oral tube.

2. The oral tube has a non locking nipple fitting which the user can connect to hold a scuba divers low pressure inflation hose fed from a first stage regulator.

3. By replacing the blanking plug system which comes as standard and inserting a din pillar then fitting 0.1 litre air cylinder to releasing the air from the cylinder into the buoy. This is an otional extra and the bottle and fitting do not come with the SMB.

4. By inserting a scuba divers second stage regulator and purging into the bottom of the SEEKER buoy.

Both the oral tube and the bottom of the SEEKER buoy have non-return valve systems to prevent the air from escaping. To avoid over inflation, an overpressure valve is fitted to the SEEKER buoy. The same overpressure valve has a pull cord which facilitates deflation of the system. When the SEEKER buoy is fully inflated it may also be used as an additional flotation device at the surface. Once the SEEKER buoy has been fully deflated it can be rolled and fastened neatly for storage.

Reel, bottle and bottle fitting not included

Patent No: Pending

Review:

Custom Divers revolutionary ‘Seeker’ D-SMB gets you picked up quicker

 

“It can be quite a scary thought (when you are sitting beneath a Delayed Surface Marker Buoy decompressing) wondering if the boat has seen you, or if you are adrift on your lonesome”, stated Alex Vassallo, Custom Divers CEO.  “On a long deco your imagination can play horrible games with you.  I tend to keep mine occupied by thinking of things that will make diving safer, and this was where the Custom Divers Seeker radar detectable D-SMB was conceived.  I wanted to be assured that the boat had seen my D-SMB, so the solution was to make it radar detectable.  Basically, the Seeker is a traditional D-SMB which contains a conductive material shaped to receive and send back radar signals.  It sounds simple but the Seeker took over three years of research, development and testing until we were truly satisfied we had a full patent pending product that will revolutionise diver safety.

 

During the development phase it was tested every time I went diving, and over a number of months we were getting good results but I felt it was not enough.   I wanted to improve the detectable distance of the Seeker.  With further modifications to the design and materials the Seeker was then re-tested by various Skippers on the English South Coast to verify its performance on their radar, and thanks guys for all your support.  After several evolvements one Skipper phoned to say “this model is brilliant”! and so we felt it was appropriate to run broader and more extensive tests and at this stage we involved the RNLI (Royal National Lifeboats Institution) and Her Majesty’s  Coastguard.  I am delighted to confirm that the Seeker D-SMB showed up on boat radars from 1.5 miles away and from 2 miles on helicopters.  The tests were conducted in British seas, over a long period of time in various conditions and included a simulated pitch black/fog search.  The Skipper would navigate purely using the radar (with a watcher looking out of the windscreen to check he didn’t run into anything) and on each occasion the boats/helicopters located the buoy with ease, ending up within a few feet from the Seeker.  From the Skipper/Rescue Services point of view the great thing about the Seeker radar detectable D-SMB is that because it is fully compatible with every radar system there is no need for any additional kit.

 

For the diver, a key feature of the Seeker is that it has a four-way fill option.  Having seen many a diver forget to fill their D-SMB crack bottle I wanted to come up with a number of filling solutions.  Firstly, it can be easily orally inflated, by blowing into a tube.  Alternatively we have fitted a non-locking nipple fitting to the oral tube that connects to a low pressure inflator hose.  Then there is the system that a number of divers already use, which is cracking a small air cylinder to fill the D-SMB.  (The diver needs to replace the Seeker’s blanking plug with a DIN or A Clamp Pillar Adaptor before an AP Valves 0.1 litre, 232 bar bottle is attached).  Finally, the diver can fill the Seeker D-SMB in the traditional manner by purging a second stage into the bottom of the buoy. 

 

“So now just knowing that the Skipper can see my blob has given me great peace of mind on long hangs”, stated Vassallo, “and it’s great knowing we’ve helped divers improve their safety”.  If you want to be safe in the knowledge your Skipper can easily see your Delayed Surface Marker Buoy, log onto www.customdivers.com for more information and technical specifications on the Seeker radar detectable Delayed Surface Marker Buoy.

 

Notes to Editors:

 

The Custom Divers Seeker Delayed Surface Marker Buoy SRP £86.00

 

The Custom Divers DIN Adaptor SRP £16

The Custom Divers A Clamp Adaptor SRP £13.50

 

AP Valves 0.1 Litre Crack Bottle DIN £76.09

AP Valves 0.1 Litre Crack Bottle A Clamp £73.88

 

Custom Divers was formed in the early 1990’s as a result of the founder’s frustration with the shortcomings of equipment available at the time. This initial drive to improve the range of kit specifically designed for cutting edge diving has been maintained throughout the company’s history, resulting in the wide range available today. In the future we will continue to enhance and extend the range with products built upon the company’s driving ethics of innovation, design, quality, durability and service. However you aim to extend the boundaries of underwater exploration, our equipment will be there to help you reach your goal.