CHIP Verichip (MM)

Digital Angel (the ๏ฟฝCompany๏ฟฝ) (NASDAQ:DIGA), an advanced technology company in the field of rapid and accurate identification, location tracking and condition monitoring of high-value assets, announced today its McMurdo FastFind Plus GPS Personal Location Beacon (PLB) aided in the rescue of a yachtsman on January 4 who activated his PLB off the coast of Africa when his yacht ran into difficulties in severe storms. McMurdo has also launched two groundbreaking new PLBs, the FastFind MAX and the Fastfind MAX G (with integral 12-channel GPS). The MAX range adds new dimensions to safety with a maximum 48-hour operational battery life from activation, and it operates at temperatures as low as -20๏ฟฝC. Twenty-two-year-old boat builder James Baker was sailing from Portimao, Portugal to the Caribbean. He activated his McMurdo FastFind Plus PLB, which alerted the Maritime Coastguard Agency (MCA) and Falmouth Coastguard in Cornwall. The latter then coordinated the rescue operation and contacted the authorities in Morocco, Portugal and Spain. Following alerts to a number of vessels in the vicinity, an Orion aircraft from the Portuguese Navy found the yacht 74 miles west-north-west of Casablanca. Naval staff then directed a German commercial vessel, the MV Wappen Von Bayern, which recovered Baker around midday. Mark Thomas, Falmouth Coastguard watch manager, praised the PLB, saying, "This is another incident where the use of an EPIRB to call for help proves to be immensely valuable. We would advise all sailors to have one." Joseph J. Grillo, President and Chief Executive Officer of Digital Angel, said, ๏ฟฝThis latest rescue proves the importance of PLBs to outdoor enthusiasts. To that end, we have introduced two new products to continue to ensure their safety. The FastFind MAX range of PLB products from McMurdo provide professional and recreational mariners, fishermen, light aircraft pilots and those involved in outdoor adventure activities with the best chance of being found without delay in the event of an emergency. With their attractive price tags, the MAX and MAX G are the latest additions to the popular FastFind range of McMurdo PLBs. They are designed to be carried by individuals as a safeguard against life threatening incidents that could occur anywhere in the world.๏ฟฝ Once activated the MAX and MAX G transmit a unique identification signal along with current position via the international search and rescue satellite system operated by COSPAS SARSAT on 406 MHz. The signal is then quickly passed to regional search and rescue authorities who can rapidly get to the scene. FastFind MAX battery packs have a five-year storage life and are easily user-replaceable. FastFind MAX G๏ฟฝs integral 12-channel GPS navigation receiver gives a typical positional accuracy of +/- 62 meters and new position updates every 20 minutes, significantly reducing the normal search area down from a 28 square nautical mile area, when given a clear view skyward. It also has a visual indication of GPS position acquisition. McMurdo, a division of Digital Angel, is a world leading producer of EPIRBs, PLBs Search and Rescue Transponders (SARTs), VHF Radios and NAVTEX for the maritime and leisure markets, including shipping, yachting, aviation and outdoor adventure pursuits. The high quality product range is manufactured in the UK utilizing the very latest technology available, and in partnership with the world๏ฟฝs safety regulatory organizations. About Digital Angel Digital Angel (www.DigitalAngel.com) is a leading provider of radio frequency identification (RFID) and global positioning system (GPS) technologies that enable the rapid and accurate identification, location tracking and condition monitoring of people, animals and high-value assets. Digital Angel๏ฟฝs products are utilized around the world๏ฟฝin such๏ฟฝapplications as pet identification using its patented, FDA-approved implantable microchip; livestock identification and tracking using visual and RFID ear tags; and GPS search and rescue beacons for use on aircraft, ships and boats, and by adventure enthusiasts. Digital Angel is the owner of a majority position in VeriChip Corporation (NASDAQ:CHIP). For further information please contact: ๏ฟฝ Press information and high-resolution photographs Marina Johnson, ClearLine Communications Ltd t: +44 (0)1590 670011 m: +44 (0)7774 623539 e: marina@clearlinecommunications.co.uk Company information Jeremy Harrison, McMurdo, a division of Signature Industries Ltd t: +44(0)23 9262 3905 e: jeremyharrison@mcmurdo.co.uk This press release includes forward-looking statements, including but not limited to statements regarding growth expectations for the Company๏ฟฝs McMurdo division and the performance of the Company๏ฟฝs PLBs. This information is also qualified in its entirety by cautionary statements and risk factor disclosures contained in the Company๏ฟฝs Securities and Exchange Commission filings, including the Company๏ฟฝs annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006 and its quarterly reports. The Company can offer no assurances that any projections, assumptions or forecasts made or discussed in this release will be met, and investors should understand the risks of investing solely due to such projections. The Company undertakes no obligation to revise any forward-looking statements in order to reflect events or circumstances that may arise after the date of this press release.