Mantsbrite Supply Icom GMDSS Solutions to Blyth Catamarans

Mantsbrite has been a longstanding Icom customer over several decades. Established in 1964, Mantsbrite are suppliers of electronic equipment in the marine market's leisure, fishing, and commercial sectors. The company offer complete turnkey solutions to its customers from installation to completion including Icom GMDSS equipment on commercial vessels. The latest vessel to have Icom GMDSS radios installed is the "Lady Kathleen" for Blyth Catamarans.

Mantsbrite supply equipment to a wide variety of vessels, both leisure and commercial, from yachts and ribs going up to tugs and wind farm transfer vessels which can be up to 35 metres in size. Some of the vessels travel around the world. Others regularly work in A2 areas. Some of the vessels' conditions can be quite harsh and varied, for example, freezing temperatures, strong winds and rough seas.

Matthew Langham EngTech TMIET, Technical Director from Manstbrite, said, 'We choose Icom GMDSS radios because they work well and are reliable. When you need the equipment to perform in potentially lifesaving operations you want something you can trust. Over the years of using these radios we have always found they have performed the task well in various situations.'

Manstbrite has been working with Blyth Catamarans for 31 years since 1989 when their original model "Jo Jo" was first produced. Asked if there were any other considerations to be made when installing this equipment, Matthew said, 'When installing the recent equipment on the "Lady Kathleen" for Blyth Catamarans we had to consider the correct grounding for the GM800 SSB and the locations and appropriate runs. We supplied a suitable ground plate, ran copper tape and we also fitted DC Isolators inline to stop any potential corrosion as the vessel is made from Fiberglass. We also had the aerial cable for the TX/RX going to the ATU run along the same path as the ground to help reduce any potential interference.

He added, ‘Our customers have said Icom radios work really well. Some like the additional features such as the voice recorder which has been useful when they have only caught the end of a message'.

If you are looking for a similar installation or electronic solution for either your leisure or commercial vessel, call Mantsbrite on 01621 853 003 or email sales@mantsbrite.com. Alternatively, visit their website https://www.mantsbrite.com/.

Picture shows GM600 GMDSS VHF/DSC radio together with the GM800 GMDSS MF/HF marine radio and IC-M506GE Class D VHF/DSC radio.

10/05/2021