Shop EPIRBs and PLBs

EPIRBs (Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons) and PLBs (Personal Locator Beacons) are rescue beacons that send out an emergency 406 MHz radio signal to rescue agencies. They should only be used when there is immediate danger to lives or the chance of losing your boat.

Boats need a way to send a reliable message to rescue agencies that says, “I am in trouble!” While an emergency message can be transmitted by voice, using a VHF, HAM or SSB radio, there are may be times when your batteries are dead, or you need to be rescued from a life raft that does not have a voice radio.

EPIRBs and PLBs have the following attributes:

1. They are waterproof.
2. Their batteries are self-contained.
3. They transmit an internationally recognized 406 MHz emergency signal that is monitored by satellites and that can be relayed to rescue agencies most anywhere in the world. In addition, they also transmit 121.5 MHz homing signal which aids rescue agencies to zero in on your location.
4. They have saved the lives of thousands of boaters and commercial seamen.

Now let’s discuss the two types of EPIRBs that West Marine sells and the difference between them.

Category I and Category II 406 MHz EPIRBs

The 406 MHz frequency is specifically reserved for marine distress calls and is monitored via satellites around the world. Early models of EPIRBs could identify a boat’s position to within a radius of about one mile, however recent versions of EPIRBs, those that can be linked to an onboard GPS or those that include an integral GPS, greatly speed up the time in which agencies can respond and in addition, narrow the search radius to within 100 yards.

EPIRB Activation Methods

Float-free (Category I) EPIRBs have a hydrostatic release which automatically deploys when submerged in water. These styles are designed to be mounted in an open cockpit location, where they can actually “float free” if necessary.

Manually activated EPIRBs (Category II) should be mounted or stored in an easily accessible location. Remember that if the EPIRB is safely stowed in a locker, it will likely not see the light of day if the boat sinks quickly.

EPIRB Registration

EPIRBs require registration to a government database. Registration includes providing important information such as the boat’s name, boat type, safety equipment onboard and emergency contact information. When an EPIRB transmits, rescuers can quickly identify the boat and can phone emergency contacts to verify its itinerary. EPIRBs are intended strictly for marine use and have around a 48-hour battery life once activated.

How PLBs Differ from EPIRBS

While EPIRBs are for boats, PLBs are for personal use. PLBs are smaller than EPIRBs and when activated have a shorter battery life. Like EPIRBs, they operate on the 406 MHz and 121.5 MHz frequencies and provide the same worldwide coverage. They also require registration to a government database; but rather than being registered to a boat, they are registered to a person, which gives you the ability to take your EPIRB from boat to boat or wherever you wish.

Brands of EPIRBs and PLBs

West Marine offers EPIRBs and PLBs by ACR Electronics and Ocean Signal.