Recreational boaters can ensure their safety, especially when far off shore, by having a GPS-enabled Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) aboard, and Personal Locator Beacons (PLBs) attached to crew members. These devices, which are lightweight, compact and easy touse, can instantly summon help and provide rescuers with precise location information.
EPIRBs are ideal for voyages where traditional communications are spotty. Once activated, either manually or automatically by submersion in water, 406 MHz GPS-enabled EPIRBs broadcast a repeating SOS signal
with integrated GPS location from virtually any point on earth for 48 continuous hours. The signal is received by Cospas/Sarsat satellites, which identify the beacon's position within a few hundred yards in mere
minutes. Search and rescue personnel are then contacted and know exactly where to look.
The 406 MHz PLBs are like small EPIRBs, except that the PLBs can only be activated manually and are secured to the individual crew member, not the boat. They use the same satellites and send an SOS signal with GPS position to summon help. However, their smaller batteries are effective for only 24 hours of continuous operation once activated.
PLBs make a great addition to an EPIRB, providing greater peace of mind when it comes to the safety of crew members, especially when on deck, on night watch, or solo cruising. They are also suitable for paddlers making outback voyages to remote locations.
Paddlers and boaters who find the price of these devices prohibitively expensive have the option of renting them from the BoatU.S. Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water, which is a nonprofit organization.
For more information about these devices go to the Foundation site:http://www.BoatUS.com/foundation/epirb>.
Source: BoatU.S. Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water
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