EPIRBS and PLB's
- Thread starter rascal
- Start date
MichaelOnTheClaraMae
Moderator
I have an EPIRB on the Clara Mae. I installed it for my trip with my youngest daughter last August which included a couple of extended open water runs.
My opinion is that if you are going to spend any time off shore, an EPIRB should be standard equipment in spite of their cost. Most folks don't realize that when you are swamped or capsize, the boat's batteries typically discharge in short order. Not to mention the fact that if you are caught in weather strong enough to swamp your boat, it will likely be all you can do to hang on with the rocking and rolling going on.
Years ago I spent a few unplanned days and nights in the water off shore in the Gulf of Mexico. Even though the Coast Guard knew we were over due the first day, it took them several days more to find us. That was several days and nights of rough seas, swallowing salt water, sea sickness, chemical burns from the boat's submerged fuel tank, exposure, etc. Had EPIRB's been available then and we had one, I could have been home for dinner the first night.
Michael
My opinion is that if you are going to spend any time off shore, an EPIRB should be standard equipment in spite of their cost. Most folks don't realize that when you are swamped or capsize, the boat's batteries typically discharge in short order. Not to mention the fact that if you are caught in weather strong enough to swamp your boat, it will likely be all you can do to hang on with the rocking and rolling going on.
Years ago I spent a few unplanned days and nights in the water off shore in the Gulf of Mexico. Even though the Coast Guard knew we were over due the first day, it took them several days more to find us. That was several days and nights of rough seas, swallowing salt water, sea sickness, chemical burns from the boat's submerged fuel tank, exposure, etc. Had EPIRB's been available then and we had one, I could have been home for dinner the first night.
Michael
The TyBoo25 had an EPIRB on board when we got it, and I have been meaning to take it in and get it checked and reregistered. It is my understanding that the units are registered to the vessel/owner so they know who they're saving. Is that correct?
Thanks for the reminder.
Thanks for the reminder.
Islander has an EPIRB on board.
There are two basic types of EPIRBS, the latest and greatest (406MHz ?) uses GPS. The new EPIRB when activated sends the boats the Lat and Long up to a Satellite, which in turn relays the information to a central calling facility. The call center then is able to identify the name of the boat the owner and its position.
The draw back to the old style EPIRB is that soemone has to be listening to the distress signal frequency. In other words either a passing plane or another vessel. This can take much longer; 45 minutes or so than the new EPIRBs 10 to 15 minutues if memory serves correct.
Of course the newer technolgy EPIRBS cost more, but I think well worth the money if you are going offshore.
There are two basic types of EPIRBS, the latest and greatest (406MHz ?) uses GPS. The new EPIRB when activated sends the boats the Lat and Long up to a Satellite, which in turn relays the information to a central calling facility. The call center then is able to identify the name of the boat the owner and its position.
The draw back to the old style EPIRB is that soemone has to be listening to the distress signal frequency. In other words either a passing plane or another vessel. This can take much longer; 45 minutes or so than the new EPIRBs 10 to 15 minutues if memory serves correct.
Of course the newer technolgy EPIRBS cost more, but I think well worth the money if you are going offshore.
Islander has an EPIRB on board.
There are two basic types of EPIRBS, the latest and greatest (406MHz ?) uses GPS. The new EPIRB when activated sends the boats the Lat and Long up to a Satellite, which in turn relays the information to a central calling facility. The call center then is able to identify the name of the boat the owner and its position.
The draw back to the old style EPIRB is that soemone has to be listening to the distress signal frequency. In other words either a passing plane or another vessel. This can take much longer; 45 minutes or so than the new EPIRBs 10 to 15 minutues if memory serves correct.
Of course the newer technolgy EPIRBS cost more, but I think well worth the money if you are going offshore.
There are two basic types of EPIRBS, the latest and greatest (406MHz ?) uses GPS. The new EPIRB when activated sends the boats the Lat and Long up to a Satellite, which in turn relays the information to a central calling facility. The call center then is able to identify the name of the boat the owner and its position.
The draw back to the old style EPIRB is that soemone has to be listening to the distress signal frequency. In other words either a passing plane or another vessel. This can take much longer; 45 minutes or so than the new EPIRBs 10 to 15 minutues if memory serves correct.
Of course the newer technolgy EPIRBS cost more, but I think well worth the money if you are going offshore.
Hi all,
Here is a link to the US Coast Guard site page about EPIRB s and EPIRB registration.
http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/marcomms/epirb.htm
Scroll to the bottom of the page for a downloadable registration form.
By the way, Don't use an EPIRB unless its registered to you, the Coast Guard won't like it! :sad
Here is a link to the US Coast Guard site page about EPIRB s and EPIRB registration.
http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/marcomms/epirb.htm
Scroll to the bottom of the page for a downloadable registration form.
By the way, Don't use an EPIRB unless its registered to you, the Coast Guard won't like it! :sad
Pete in NY
New member
With the new mandatory 406mhz EPIRB regulations in effect since 1/1/2007 I was wondering if anyone is considering buying a new EPIRB and if so, which one. The new WEST marine flyer that came yesterday has small ACR units on sale. Does anyone know how long the standby battery life is on the new smaller units vs the larger boxy units also available? Any opinions on which to get?
Molly Brown
Member
We also have an EPIRB. Reregister every two years via email is simplest since they send you a reminder. Old style took 45 minutes to triangulate your position due to the need for multiple satellite flyblys. Those embedded with GPS info are best since they'll know who you are and the type of boat and be able to calculate your rate of drift before they ever get off the ground or leave the dock. We originally got ours because we were doing a lot of offshore boating but has since decided it's good to have anytime we go out since they are places on inland waters where if something catastrophic should happen it could be days before they find you. In addition, if you boat alone or with children, elderly folks they give you piece of mind that even if your incapacitated that help could be summoned. Highly recommended!
We carry two personaly locator beacons which are GPS enabled and have the internal GPS. The EPRIB will communicate with your boat's GPS and has a break away IR connection. The Personal locator beacons are good for 24 hours of battery power--the larger ones are fully automatic, float with the antenna above the water and last 48 hours.
The GPS enabled unit narrows down the search to about a square mile (we also both carry a submersiable VHF so we can communicate with rescue craft. The non GPS leave about 100 sq miles to be covered.
The 406 EPRIB has been around for at least 30 years(we started carrying one in 1978)--so it is not a New type. There were just 121.5 EPRIBs which were the air craft distress frequency. These are no longer officially tracked, but still are used for homing by SAR.
I feel that any boat going into remote areas or offshore should spend the $500 for the unit.
Yes, the unit is registered to a specific person, but boat information is there also. Most important is the contact information. Recently a boat caught on fire, and the CG contacted the spouse (contact person) within 5 minutes of the activation of the ERIPB--the SAR vessel was on scene within 30 minutes--pretty impressive.
If you think about Lake Powell (and lots of other areas)--VHF, Cell phones are not of any value over most of the lake. We will be carrying a satellit phone, because of an elderly parent--but for others the EPRIB is much less expensive and can be life saving in case of an injury.
There is a new generation out--so that the last years are on sale--nothing wrong with last years models!
The GPS enabled unit narrows down the search to about a square mile (we also both carry a submersiable VHF so we can communicate with rescue craft. The non GPS leave about 100 sq miles to be covered.
The 406 EPRIB has been around for at least 30 years(we started carrying one in 1978)--so it is not a New type. There were just 121.5 EPRIBs which were the air craft distress frequency. These are no longer officially tracked, but still are used for homing by SAR.
I feel that any boat going into remote areas or offshore should spend the $500 for the unit.
Yes, the unit is registered to a specific person, but boat information is there also. Most important is the contact information. Recently a boat caught on fire, and the CG contacted the spouse (contact person) within 5 minutes of the activation of the ERIPB--the SAR vessel was on scene within 30 minutes--pretty impressive.
If you think about Lake Powell (and lots of other areas)--VHF, Cell phones are not of any value over most of the lake. We will be carrying a satellit phone, because of an elderly parent--but for others the EPRIB is much less expensive and can be life saving in case of an injury.
There is a new generation out--so that the last years are on sale--nothing wrong with last years models!