Ocean Signal Backs Solo Sailor Lizzy Foreman in Transat

Ocean Signal is supporting ambitious solo sailor Lizzy Foreman in the 2015 Mini Transat by equipping her with vital safety devices for the challenging 4020nm race.

The safety and communications specialist is providing the 25-year-old Brit with an Ocean Signal SafeSea® E100G EPIRB, a rescueME PLB1 and a SafeSea S100 SART for the two-legged crossing which departs from Douarnenez in France on Saturday, September 19 and is due to finish in Guadeloupe in mid-November.

Sailing alone in a Pogo 2 boat which is just 6.5m long and 3m wide, Lizzy needs the reassurance of reliable equipment enabling her to alert the rescue services quickly and transmit her location in the event of an emergency. Safety devices for herself and her boat, Hudson Wight, are critical for a race which will be physically and mentally testing. Lizzy will have to cope with constant discomfort and minimal sleep, and at times will be cut-off from all communication during the race.

With over 4,000nm gained sailing solo and fully qualified for the Mini Transat, Lizzy has worked hard to secure the support of sponsors and raise enough money to fully fund her campaign to secure a place on the starting line.

“I was very much in need of safety equipment, so it is fantastic to have the support of Ocean Signal,” said Lizzy. “The EPIRB and PLB will be a huge comfort to me, especially in any particularly challenging conditions we may encounter. The SART is an additional safety measure, as I will pack it inside my life raft for easy access from the water should the boat be turned over so that I would have a way of raising the alarm if I am unable to access my EPIRB.

“The Mini Transat is a really good training ground for offshore racing, you have to manage the whole project, from finding the sponsors to boat preparation to the actual racing. I could not start the race without the support of all my sponsors and all the people who have helped fund this adventure and I am extremely grateful to everyone.”

After first sailing at the age of just 3, Lizzy hopes the Mini Transat will be another stepping stone to achieving her ambition to compete in the Vendée Globe. She has already built up a wide range of sailing experience, including selection as the only woman in the Artemis Offshore Academy squad in 2012.

Lizzy has prepared for the Mini Transat with several races, including the double-handed, 150nm Lorient BSM and the 300nm Pornichet Select, the 500nm Mini in Mai, 220nm Trophee MAP, Douarnenez, and the JP Morgan Asset Management Round the Island Race. Her schedule over the last few months has included the completion of fund raising, logistics, packing, boat work and formulating a tactical race guide.

Her aim for the race is to finish in the top half of the fleet, as the first Pogo 2 if possible, but ultimately to “finish well, not break anything and not lose a mast or a rudder”.

James Hewitt, Ocean Signal Sales and Marketing Manager, said: “We are very pleased to support Lizzy in her Mini Transat campaign. She has already achieved a great deal to secure her place on the starting line and we are proud to back such an inspirational young sailor. We hope the Ocean Signal safety equipment will provide Lizzy with peace of mind during the race and we wish her all the best.”

Taking place every two years, the 20th edition of the Mini Transat Iles de Guadeloupe race departs from Douarnenez in France on September 19. The 4020nm race is split into two legs, with the first leg to Lanzarote expected to arrive from September 25 onwards. The second leg to Pointe a Pitre, Guadeloupe, departs on October 31 with arrival expected from November 14.

You can follow Lizzy on Twitter @LizzyRacing, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/lizzyoffshoreracing

The SafeSea E100G EPIRB, rescueME PLB1, SafeSea S100 SART and further Ocean Signal products including the rescueME MOB1 and rescueME EDF1 electronic distress flare are available at this year’s Southampton Boat Show from 11th to 20th September on Marine Super Store Stand F006 and Cactus Stand G076.

For further information, visit www.oceansignal.com