McMurdo has signed on as the official Safety and Rescue Products Partner for the 2013 Atlantic Cup presented by 11th Hour Racing, the United States’ premier dedicated Class 40 sailing race. The 2013 race will kick off in Charleston, South Carolina on May 11.

The crews aboard the participating Class 40 yachts will be provided with McMurdo Fast Find 220 Personal Locator Beacons (PLBs) to assure their safety on each of the offshore legs of the 2013 race.

"In shorthanded offshore racing personal safety is of the utmost importance and the gear you carry has to be 100% reliable, so we are delighted to be partnering with McMurdo for the Atlantic Cup. McMurdo's PLB's will provide the vital extra layer of safety and security our competitors need,” said Hugh Piggin, Atlantic Cup Founder and Race Director.

The McMurdo Fast Find 220 is a powerful distress beacon providing a direct method of alerting search and rescue authorities where no other forms of communication are available, using the 406 MHz search and rescue satellite communication system, COSPAS SARSAT. Also transmits a 121.5MHz homing signal. Waterproof to 10 meters and able to operate in temperatures as low as -4° once activated, the 220 will transmit continuously for a minimum of 24 hours at a powerful 5 watt output. The compact beacon weighs just 5.4oz and measures 1.34” x 1.85” x 4.17”. A LED flash light assists with rescues during limited visibility or at night. Full six year battery life. Floats with buoyancy pouch (included).

From Charleston on May 11, the Atlantic Cup competitors will race double-handed to New York City. There will be approximately a 4-5 day stop-over in New York before the race restarts and competitors sprint to Newport, Rhode Island. Once in Newport, skippers will race an inshore grand prix. The combined overall winner of all three stages will be crowned Atlantic Cup Champion.

Additionally, the Atlantic Cup will again be one of the most environmentally sustainable races in the United States. The 2012 edition of the race was the very first carbon neutral race in the United States and the 2013 race will also aim for carbon neutrality.

To learn more visit: www.atlanticcup.org or  www.mcmurdomarine.com