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EPIRBs and PLBs are crucial lifelines in a boating emergency – if they’re working properly. Here’s how to ensure they’ll summon help when needed and why buying one is a smart investment
Photo: U.S. Coast Guard
The only thing worse than not having crucial safety gear on board is to have it fail when it’s needed. This is especially true for Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons (EPIRBs) and Personal Locator Beacons (PLBs), both of which are expected to work flawlessly in an emergency, every time, despite minimal maintenance and constant exposure to the marine environment.
When activated, these emergency beacons transmit a coded message on the 406 MHz distress frequency, which is relayed via the Cospas-Sarsat global satellite system and earth stations to the nearest Rescue Coordination Center (RCC). Modern units, which have an internal GPS, can provide a location accuracy of approximately 100 yards. Here’s how to keep your beacons at the ready.
Testing and maintenance
EPIRBs and PLBs should be inspected monthly or prior to any extended cruise. When inspecting and conducting any test, exercise extreme caution to avoid inadvertent activation and generation of a false distress signal. (See BoatU.S. Foundation, “Mayday? Maybe Not” on page 40 to learn more about how to avoid false alarms.)
- Exterior inspection. Start by thoroughly inspecting the exterior of your PLB or EPIRB for any physical damage such as corrosion, cracking, or water ingress. Cracks or damage to the case can admit water and cause the unit to malfunction or fail.
If any damage is noted, the unit should be sent to an authorized service center immediately. If your unit needs cleaning, simply wipe it down with a soft cloth moistened with water. Never clean your PLB or EPIRB with household cleaners, bleach, sanitizers, soaps, gasoline, or anything else besides plain old H₂O.
- Mounting brackets. For EPIRBs, you’ll want to inspect the mounting bracket or housing. Cat I EPIRBs should be stowed in an unobstructed location so they can float free when released. Such installations will also have a Hydrostatic Release Unit (HRU) designed to sense water pressure if a vessel sinks, automatically releasing the mount and allowing the EPIRB to float to the surface. HRUs expire every two years, so note the expiration date during your inspection. If the EPIRB has a tether or lanyard, it should be in good condition, neatly stowed, and attached to the unit. It should not, however, be attached to the mounting bracket or vessel.
>> Battery expiration. Check the battery expiration date. This is shown on the beacon manufacturer’s label or possibly a separate sticker. Battery life for most units is five years, although some newer models exceed that.
- NOAA registration sticker. Verify the presence of a current National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) registration sticker. Federal law requires that all USA coded EPIRBs and PLBs be registered with NOAA. This registration provides search-and-rescue organizations emergency contact information so if your beacon is activated, they’ll know who they’re looking for. It also gives them someone to call to verify it’s an actual emergency and not a false alarm. This means you’ll need to update your registration if any of the information changes or if you buy a used unit. Visit sarsat.noaa.gov/register-your-beacon for easy online registration.
- Self-tests. Once the physical inspection is completed, conduct a self-test as per the manufacturer’s instructions. Following these instructions is crucial to ensure your beacon is working properly and to prevent accidental activation.
When conducting a 406 MHz beacon self-test, the EPIRB or PLB is allowed to radiate a single burst, one specially coded so that it is ignored by the Cospas-Sarsat system.
Most EPIRBs will have a visible test switch, one that’s spring-loaded (so it can’t be left on inadvertently, draining the battery). Depending on the unit, a combination of beeps, lights, or strobe flashes will indicate test circuits are operating properly. Many newer EPIRBs and PLBs will show tests and results via an integral display.
PLBs must be manually activated, and some units are not that intuitive to turn on. Routine testing not only serves to confirm proper operation, but also provides familiarization with activating the unit in the event of an emergency.
If your EPIRB or PLB is accidentally activated, turn off the unit and cancel the false alert by calling the nearest U.S. Coast Guard Station. They will contact the nearest RCC to cancel the alert.
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EPIRB vs. PLB
The popularity of PLBs has soared in recent years due to their portability and lower costs, so why not just skip an EPIRB altogether and go with something you can wear? Although PLBs and EPIRBs work in exactly the same manner, there are a number of differences between them beyond size:
- While PLBs transmit a distress signal for a minimum of 24 hours, transmit time for an EPIRB is double that (a minimum of 48 hours).
- Unlike a PLB, an EPIRB can also be configured to automatically deploy and activate in the event of an emergency. Category I EPIRBs are designed to float free from a sinking vessel and turn on automatically when they come into contact with water. A Category II rating denotes an EPIRB that is manually activated and deployed.
- As to downsides, unlike a PLB (which is registered to a person) an EPIRB is registered to a specific vessel, which means you can’t legally take it with you to use onboard another vessel. This highlights another sweet thing about PLBs. As they’re legal for use on both land and sea, you can take them on any adventure, from exploring the Amazon to hiking that remote mountain pass.
This diagram shows the sequence of events from (1) the time a 406 beacon, such as the PLB above, is activated anywhere in the world to (5) notification of the nearest Rescue Coordination Center and launch of search and rescue assets to the distress location.
Photo: Frank Lanier
Smart beacons for safer boaters
In the past couple of years, EPIRBs and PLBs have gotten smarter. Most beacons on shelves today include at least some increased capabilities relative to beacons of the past, so even if your beacon is only a few years old, consider upgrading to access this new tech that might just make the difference.
In addition to transmitting coordinates and vessel data directly to rescue authorities over the 406 MHz frequency, many beacons also now include AIS, making your distress signal visible to nearby boaters who may be able to respond faster. Some also include Return Link Service (RLS), allowing your beacon to show you not only that your signal is transmitting, but also that it has been received and that rescue operations are underway. And with Near Field Communication (NFC), you can pair your beacon with your smartphone to check on its status and access data about its programming, battery life, and previous self-tests before you hit the water. Here are a couple of the newest beacons that boast these features:
Photo: ACR
ACR GlobalFix V6
The newest EPIRB from ACR has AIS, RLS, and NFC capabilities. Boasting a 10-year battery shelf life, 48 hours of transmission time, and a five-year warranty, this high-tech beacon comes in both Category I (automatic deployment) and Category II (manual deployment) versions. $665.95 | acrartex.com
Photo: ACR
ACR ResQLink AIS
The newest PLB from ACR also has AIS, RLS, and NFC capabilities, all packed into a 0.42-pound body. Although it only has 24 hours of transmission time relative to the EPIRB’s 48, it’s a great option for boaters who operate near shore or as an addition to an EPIRB. Although this PLB doesn’t float, it can be attached directly to a life jacket or fitted with ACR’s Flotation Pouch. Comes in both manual and semiautomatic activation versions. $519.95 | acrartex.com — KELSEY BONHAM
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EPIRBs are registered to specific vessels, transmit for around 48 hours, and can be configured to automatically deploy and activate in an emergency. Photo: Frank Lanier
If the feces hits the rotary oscillator
When activated, some EPIRBs must be deployed and floating in the water for the antenna to operate at maximum efficiency. The manufacturer’s instructions will indicate if the EPIRB should be operating afloat or if it can, for example, be kept inside a life raft. PLBs on the other hand, should be kept clear of the water once activated and oriented with the antenna pointing toward the sky. Most PLBs do not float, but typically come with a flotation jacket of some type.
Finally, once activated, keep your EPIRB or PLB switched on until you are rescued. Never turn off the unit in an attempt to extend battery life. Doing so can reduce the ability of satellites to determine your position and prolong rescue efforts