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We’re always on the lookout for new and innovative safety gear and found these smartly engineered products at the 2025 Miami International Boat Show.
ACR ResQFlare PRO
The term “PRO” tacked onto the end of the newest version of ACR’s ResQFlare electronic visual distress signal (eVDSD) doesn’t do it justice because this is an entirely new product. ACR’s original ResQFlare is a simple, high intensity strobing white LED light. Its new ACR ResQFlare PRO is heftier, more rugged, and strobes red-orange or cyan in an “SOS” Morse code pattern combined infrared light, which is especially visible to the night vision tech used by search-and-rescue teams. When coupled with the proper flag for daytime distress signaling (included), it meets the U.S. Coast Guard’s distress signal carriage requirements for boats under 65 feet operating within 12 miles of U.S. waters, or within the Great Lakes.
$199.95 | acrartex.com
FLIR Ocean Scout Pro
This handheld thermal night-vision monocular delivers higher capabilities at a lower price compared to previous night-vision tools from FLIR. The Ocean Scout Pro has a 32-degree-wide field of view and can detect human heat signatures in the water from up to 500 meters (more than a quarter mile) away. The display can be switched between four color palettes (white hot, black hot, sepia, and heat). Imagery can also be livestreamed via Wi-Fi to another device so the whole crew can see at once. The high refresh rate makes viewing nearly lag-free.
$2,395 | flir.com
Yacht Beam
Why doesn’t anyone make a super potent LED marine spotlight? Until now, only metal halide or Xenon bulbs could get beyond 200,000 candle power, but the new Yacht Beam LED-PS has a 12 LED array that produces a blinding 750,000 candle power in a 4.5-degree beam. That provides a range of more than a half mile with a bright 5700K color temperature. A floodlight mode spreads out 250,000 candle power over a 22-degree angle. Beyond its brightness, Yacht Beam can also perform 90-degree auto sweeps, has automatic centering, a lighted joystick control pad, and can be powered via either 12 or 24 volts.
We tested one at the show and the level of control from the helm is impressive, with the ability to set the speed to three increments including 1, 12, and 30 degrees per second. That allows you to fine-tune the exact spot you’re trying to illuminate, even from a long distance. You can also control elevation at 5 degrees per second to quickly home in on something. One of the biggest differences between LEDs and metal halide or Xenon is bulb life; this is where Yacht Beam has a serious advantage: The expected life is 40,000 hours, more than double the rating you’ll see for most metal halide and Xenon bulbs.
$4,999 | yachtbeam.com
*MSRPs current at time of publication. Prices subject to change.