Europe - Clear-Com recently celebrated the successful implementation of its Equip intercom system at Merlin Theme Parks, enhancing ride operations, safety, and guest satisfaction through improved team communication. As a long-standing trusted technology partner, Tyrell introduced Merlin to Clear-Com’s Equip system, a hands-free, full-duplex intercom solution designed to streamline real-time conversations between ride operators, loaders, and platform staff.
From the outset, Tyrell worked closely with both Merlin and Clear-Com to scope the technical requirements, facilitate product demonstrations, and ensure each deployment was tailored to the unique footprint of individual attractions.
Kiran O’Connor, continuous improvement lead at Merlin Theme Park, highlights the communication challenges the park faced: “People would stand at a phone or a point on the ride having conversations, they weren’t checking bars or batching people into lanes. That was a bottleneck we set out to solve. We needed a hands-free, full-duplex communication system without the need to press a button or pick up a phone. After evaluating several suppliers, Clear-Com’s Equip system hit everything we were looking for.”
The system’s integrated battery life lasting a full operating day, with no trailing battery packs, and natural full-duplex conversation capability have revolutionised communication for the teams.
“Initially, some team members were hesitant, wondering if they should talk because suddenly everyone could hear them. But very quickly, they settled in and understood when the right time was to have those conversations. Things that previously required stopping operations to speak to a ride operator can now happen instantly over the headset,” said O’Connor.
Clear-Com has partnered closely with Tyrell throughout the rollout, customising the solution for each attraction’s needs. “Tyrell has been instrumental in making this project a success,” said Ben Turnwell, EMEA regional sales manager. “They have been involved at every stage, from technical planning to on-site support and aftercare.”
“At each new attraction, Clear-Com visits our site, understands our operation, and makes bespoke recommendations on transceiver placement and cabling routes to optimise performance,” explained O’Connor.
A recent example is the rollout of the new Hyper coaster at Thorpe Park, where Clear-Com’s system ensured flawless communication from day one, contributing to peak throughput performance.