Article by Capt. Steve Katz
EPIRB's
An Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon or EPIRB is a critical part of safety equipment for most coastal boaters.
An EPIRB is an electronic transmitter used to alert search and rescue agencies in the event of an emergency. This is accomplished by the self-contained EPIRB, a small, battery powered, waterproof floating communication device that transmits an electronic message signal on the 406 MHz distress frequency to orbiting satellites. These same satellites then communicate to Mission Control Centers (MCC) who then relays the event to the closest Rescue Coordination Centers (RCC).
Modern EPIRB’s are required to meet international standards and can be used around the world with global coverage. There is no cost to register your EPIRB and there is no “subscription” cost to ensure that your EPIRB transmission will be acted upon. The only costs involved are the purchase and maintenance of your EPIRB.
In the USA, every new or used EPIRB must be registered with NOAA (National Oceanographic Atmospheric Administration), this is a Federal requirement. If you change any information on your registration (such as phone number, address, bought a new boat, etc.) you must update the registration with NOAA. Also, if you sell your EPIRB please notify NOAA that you have done so; inform the buyer that they must register the beacon for themselves. Registration with NOAA is easy, using the internet or mailing a registration form.
The world’s most advanced EPIRB, the ACR GlobalFix V6 has just received authorization from the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and approval from the U.S. Coast Guard. The previous model ACR GlobalFix V5 with AIS was approved earlier in 2023. Already Cospas-Sarsat approved, the beacons exceed new International Maritime Organization (IMO) Maritime Safety Committee EPIRB regulations for vessels under SOLAS regulations.
These two new models, V5 and V6 have a 10-year battery life, includes GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) positioning, 406 MHz Cospas-Sarsat distress signals with MEOSAR compatibility and 121.5 MHz local homing signal. They are compatibility with the ACR Return Link Service (RLS) alerting ensures the beacon owner will receive a notification to confirm that the international satellite system has received the distress message and location.
By incorporating AIS within its beacons for the first time in the GlobalFix V5 model, ACR Electronics can now offer EPIRB owners an additional method of communicating their location so that other nearby vessels will also be alerted in an emergency and can respond with immediate assistance.
The GlobalFix V5 and V6 include NFC (Near Field Communication) with the free ACR mobile app, delivering a new way for beacon owners to monitor their beacons, review self-test results, view GNSS test locations, and monitor beacon performance and maintenance. These new EPIRB’s have an infrared strobe, as well as visible light, to facilitate rescue in poor visibility or at night.
When it comes to choosing an EPIRB, there is often confusion between the category I vs category II versions of each model.
The differences are in the deployment and not the activation.
Category I EPIRB Deployment is automatic. The EPIRB is stored inside a plastic case with a hydrostatic release. This is designed to be mounted on the exterior of a vessel in an unobstructed area that will allow the EPIRB to float free after it is submerged 10-15 feet underwater. Once the case‘s hydrostatic release opens the housing, the EPIRB will float to the surface of the water and begin transmitting automatically or can be manually switch on if needed. Category II EPIRB is deployed manually; this type of EPIRB is usually mounted in a convenient location to the crew near the helm or other easily accessible area, where it can be located in an emergency.
Some boaters store their EPIRB in a “ditch bag” – any location is good if you can quickly get to it in the event of an emergency. The EPIRB will begin transmitting automatically if floating on the surface of the water or it can be manually switched on if needed.
All EPIRB’s are required to activate automatically when they are wet, (floating in the water). An EPIRB in its case or mounting bracket will not automatically activate. All EPIRB’s also have an “on” switch, allowing you to manually activate the EPIRB.
The EPIRB antenna system is designed to use the water as part of its ground plane (antenna system) and works best when floating upright in the water. If needed due to sea conditions the EPIRB can be brought aboard and held or secured upright, though keep your hands and body away from the antenna and do not let any objects touch the antenna to maximize the transmission signal. Once activated, do not turn it off until the rescue authorities have arrived on scene. The signal from the EPIRB is used by satellites and local rescue assets, such as airplanes, helicopter, and boats.
An EPIRB is an important safety device for all boaters. Street prices begin at $600 for a modern EPIRB. §
