Are EPIRBs going to be irrevelant?

T

thataway

Active member
In catching up with my forum reading on Panbo, I came upon a series of blogs, including Doug Ritter's Equipt to survive about RTCMS conference (Radio Technical Commission for Maritime Services) and SEND units. (SEND =Satellite Emergency Notification Devices). Doug's blog concerns if CoPas SatSar ( 406 mhz EPIRB co-ordination organization with support from US, Canada, France and Russa) co may become irrevelant, with more modern private techniques of two way communication. See: http://www.equipped.org/blog/?p=331

The SEND units include the latest generation SPOTS, The DeLorme "In Reach" (not yet released), Ocean Science two way communications to satellites, etc. which include emergency location and dispatch. There is a committee to standardize the response of the private organizations, and a correct path to actual rescue units. National Search and Rescue Committee (NSARC), is also working on the problem of providing response to the end user who is in distgress.

The Ritter Article (as well as Panbo) are both well reading, as we see the
environment of two way satellite messagening, which can be used for rescue is evolving.
 
Things do change. Seems that the innovation has been with private companies. One other change that I thought I'd never see is the move away from paper charts. Frankly, I've always been a "gotta have paper charts onboard," but the iPad has completely changed my belief in that. I can have all the charts for any given area AND a back-up chart plotter with a 10 hour independent battery... including zoom capability. Ain't technology grand? :wink:

Best wishes,
Jim

(Side Note: some airlines and corporate flight departments have gone to paperless cockpits, with charts, including approach charts, on the iPad.)
 
Canada still requires paper charts on boats navigating in its waters. One wonders if this is more to enhance revenue than anything else...

Warren
 
As you read the article, you realize that in fact the government is behind the time--the only reason that Sat Sar is still popular is that it is required on commercial vessels. This might change--as two way communication becomes affordiable, and reliable. There is a new director, and hopefully he will incorporate both the private and government fields. The Governments have extensive databases--plus can send AMVER vessels to rescue--which private cannot do at this time. But AMVER may become involved in this SEND protocol shortly. (AMVER is Automated Mutual Assistance Vessel Rescue System, which is co ordinated by US CG, and can send a merchant or other vessel which is nearby to save life (but often property is not saved--small vessels are abandoned, and at times sunk to avoid being a hazard). This mostly affects boats which cross oceans--but occasionally a small boat will drift way out to sea, and be rescued by an AMVER vessel.
 
Especially in regards to small boats (like ours) that may not be crossing oceans but are still going away from the beaten path, it seems that the private services that allow two-way messaging are not only more cost-effective, but give far-away family members a sense of security. Many of us here have/are using the SPOT device as a way to let family know we are OK. Since that is not possible with the current epirb, I think many agree that the preference is towards a SPOT-like device. Peace of mind for those you leave behind carries a lot of weight in the decision of where to spend your money.

Is there any data on how the private services do when a true rescue is required? I see the SPOT newsletters that come via e-mail that always have a rescue story, but never see any information about those who may have pressed the "911" button who didn't receive the proper assistance.

Another interesting technology unfolding.

Best wishes,
Jim
 
I've had a PLB (portable EPIRB) for years, but I've never liked that one has no way of knowing that it actually works. You can test the battery and do a rudimentary self-test of the device, but you don't actually know if it works. I have a SPOT also, and I like that one can play with it once in a while and be sure it's working. I don't know if I'm willing to trust the private service to properly handle a real emergency, so I'm keeping both units around. Plus, it's nice to have a backup.

I have fancy chart plotters on the boats and I keep a simple hand help GPS along as backup (they're so cheap now it seems hard to argue against a spare). I also keep at least some rudimentary paper chart and a compass along. I think it would be foolish not to. Maybe a cheap compass and charts that aren't up to date, but at least something...

Electronics fail. Sometimes guests break them for you. Batteries and chargers fail. The GPS system could fail perhaps. Government agencies get into budget battles and temporarily shut things down. Whatever... A paper chart (even if out of date) and compass could be really handy some day.
 
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