History of Sirius Signal

Founding members Roberts Simon and Anthony Covelli discuss the feasibility of designing and producing an SOS Electronic Flare built to 1979 CFR 161.013-5 — to eliminate the need for recreational boaters to carry toxic marine flares. No manufacturer had ever built to this standard. The technology to build such a device would not exist until some 30 years after 1979.

Winter
Many revisions and renditions later, the model C-1001 was born and the company, Sirius Signal, started with the goal of becoming the leader in marine safety signaling products. VPs of Engineering Software and Sales were hired. A top university intern program was started with young fresh faces contributing. Internet technology was taken completely in-house.

May
National Safe Boating Week. Sirius Signal launches the world’s first and only 161.013-5 CG-approved for carriage SOS distress light. Sales were phenomenal and Sirius ramped up production in the Trenton, NJ factory to meet demand. Sales were so successful that nearly 1,000 units were sold during the Annapolis Boat Show. This topped sales of any single marine product in any category in such a short period of time!

Sirius Signal receives all major industry awards for innovation. Sirius Signal partners with Intrepid Marina in San Diego to create the nation’s first flare-free marina. Sirius Signal refocuses on innovation with the AF-1 aerofoil daytime distress signal and the X-1 non-pyrotechnic smoke signal; both work nicely, but a new Coast Guard standard is on the horizon — one in which a new type of LED light might be accepted as both a day and night signaling device. Anthony and VP of Engineering Richard Gunderson join the RTCM committee to contribute their engineering prowess with other safety product manufacturers. Their efforts, along with with those of other committee members, help birth a new two-color SOS eVDSD standard providing better conspicuity against certain scattered white backgrounds. It is a long and arduous process spanning many years.

The first story comes out of a Sirius Signal C-1001 saving lives by providing a signal a Coast Guard aircraft spotted from above. Improvements in manufacturing and increased LED efficiency lead to more performance.

Competitors enter the market. Reviews from top marine electronic editors place the made in America Sirius Signal model C-1001 best overall!

Taking suggestions on how we might make our C-1001 better, Sirius plans a new, improved model C-1003. Improvements include a redesigned float to better position the light when in the water, a more ergonomic handle to improve grip when wet and a more efficient LED that improves brightness. Quietly, Sirius Signal introduces the world’s first CG-approved for carriage two-color SOS eVDSD, model C-1002, with enhanced features and mobile app.

San Diego Sunroad Boat Show is the first opportunity to elicit direct boater feedback on the improved C-1003 and the world’s first two-color eVDSD, the C-1002. It is both immediate and positive. The first C-1002 production run sold out in 48 hours. Dozens of C-1003s are sold during the four-day show, mirroring our success on Amazon since late November 2019, where we’re now listed as “Amazon’s Choice” for electronic flares. Most rewarding is the boater feedback on the C-1002; despite the large difference in price between the two products, boaters realize the C-1002 marks a revolutionary step forward for boater safety when used with the Sirius Signal alert and notification app. The app allows seamless communication of float plans, instant communication of immediate location through the Check Me function as well as a graphic indication of an SOS distress call. The First Aid function gives graphic and verbal instructions for most medical needs.