new EPIRB regulations

[Dusky Mike]

has anyone heard about these. I read an article in the paper that said the older EPIRBs are now useless , but some of the digital (400 mHz?) ones are still good.

[The BEAST]

There are two types of EPIRB. One type transmits an analog signal on 121.5 mhz. The other type transmits a digital identification code on 406 mhz and a low-power "homing" signal on 121.5 mhz.


All 121.5 mhz EPIRBs, often referred to as Category B (Mini B) are manual activation units. Although these units do work with the low-earth orbiting satellite system, they do not work as well as 406 mhz (Cat I/II) beacons, and they can not be detected by the geostationary satellites that provide instantaneous alerting for 85% of the globe. Furthermore, 121.5 mhz beacons are a large source of wasted effort by SAR forces. Most 406 mhz false alerts can be resolved easily with a phone call. In contrast, every 121.5 mhz false alert must be tracked to the source using direction finding equipment. These reasons (and more) have lead the international Cospas-Sarsat Program to phaseout 121.5 mhz satellite alerting on February 1st, 2009. Thus, if you have a 121.5 mhz EPIRB it will no longer work with the Cospas-Sarsat Satellites after that date and you will need to make the switch to a 406 MHz (Cat I/II) EPIRB!

Capt. Jim
The BEAST

[CaptKen]

Thanks Jim !
any name brand preference ? ACR any good ?
I have been wanting one.
I have been told to stay away from the $650.00 one as you need to hold it up like a hand held GPS to get it to lock on, be kinda hard in 6' seas swimming along with the makos... I was told by someone you cant even get it locked standing in a parking lot.
I was told to get the $900.00 yellow one with the antenna sticking out the top. any thoughts ????

[LIGHTINING STRYKER]

blue boat you should just spend a little more an get a g-perb with the hydrostatic release. IT will activate when it goes into the water. bought mine at the electronics place on andrews ave.They have a big selection.

[LIGHTINING STRYKER]

P.S. why the big saftey kick lately is the blue boat ok? Or are you just gettin old? LOL

[CaptKen]

Originally Posted by LIGHTINING STRYKER

P.S. why the big saftey kick lately is the blue boat ok? Or are you just gettin old? LOL

What are you laughing about ? Dont forget I have seen your liferaft .lol I cant imagine what your epirb looks like, You get it at a Georgia Flea market ?

[The BEAST]

Originally Posted by CaptKen

Thanks Jim !
any name brand preference ? ACR any good ?
I have been wanting one.
I have been told to stay away from the $650.00 one as you need to hold it up like a hand held GPS to get it to lock on, be kinda hard in 6' seas swimming along with the makos... I was told by someone you cant even get it locked standing in a parking lot.
I was told to get the $900.00 yellow one with the antenna sticking out the top. any thoughts ????

Capt. Ken,

I have had both and now I have the small ACR Aquafix w/integrated GPS. Fits great in my ditch bag with the handheld VHF and handheld Garmin GPS, etc. ACR is based in Ft. Lauderdale which makes for easy repair or battery changes etc.

The antenna is longer than the little rubber one on the larger models. I don't know who told you about having to hold it in the air or about how long it took to get a fix. Probably the same guys who say cat boats aren't stable in rough seas! Funny how people will relay BS as fact simply because they heard it from someone who heard it from someone else. How would they know if it had a fix? Who would turn on an EPIRB long enough (false alert) to test all that. USCG would not be very happy when they make that phone call. ????????? The only differences I know of is they make 2 types, the larger CAT I and CAT II for bulkhead mounting or the personal or P-EPIRB Aquafix. Both can be had with either GPS interface (needs to get relay from boats GPS) and the integral GPS (built in GPS). The GPS interface gives immediate GPS coordinates stored from your boats coordinates at that time when removed and deployed. The integrated GPS gets its own fix, slower, but continues to relay your present postion with each signal sent. Personally with last nights current running 4.2 mph, I would rather have the integrated GPS EPIRB than have them begin searching for me 2 hours after the alert went off, 8.4 miles south, where I first ditched. Get me out of this critter filled water NOW!


Capt. Jim
The BEAST

[Dusky Mike]

Thanks for the details, Jim...I've gotta check on the one I've got--I'm not sure about its frequency!

[CaptKen]

Thanks for the info Jim.
I can tell you that it was a firsthand friend that went to buy one, It was the small flip antenna type, {$650.00 model}They took it outside to do the selftest or whatever you call it and it wouldn't work, brand new off the shelf. Went back inside and came out with the yellow one with a fixed antennae{$900.00 model} worked first time and Thats what he bought.

And just for the record Pontoon boats do suck !! .lol Im kiddin, I like Cats
Again thanks for the info, I am about to bite the bullet on one and like to hear the pros and cons. If $ wasn't an issue I would get the $900.00 no questions asked. Married with children and 1 paycheck, know where Im comming from ?
Thanks

[The BEAST]

Originally Posted by CaptKen

Thanks for the info Jim.
I can tell you that it was a firsthand friend that went to buy one, It was the small flip antenna type, {$650.00 model}They took it outside to do the selftest or whatever you call it and it wouldn't work, brand new off the shelf. Went back inside and came out with the yellow one with a fixed antennae{$900.00 model} worked first time and Thats what he bought.

And just for the record Pontoon boats do suck !! .lol Im kiddin, I like Cats
Again thanks for the info, I am about to bite the bullet on one and like to hear the pros and cons. If $ wasn't an issue I would get the $900.00 no questions asked. Married with children and 1 paycheck, know where Im comming from ?
Thanks

Capt. Ken,

When I purchased my ACR Aquafix, I noticed that the instructions frowned on self tests. I attribut this to the fact that a self diagnosis would require complete start up to include GPS lock on which would mean the sat signal is being sent the entire time the GPS is locking in. This could/would result in a false alert being sent out. I believe that ACR would have checked and double checked the units prior to shipping as the liability aspect of a unit not operating right out of the box would be astronomical. The units that do a self test in a matter of a flash are usually those that have no integrated or internal GPS therefore only need to test that the sat radio signal was sent. Make sure they are comparing apple to apples.

Either way, do your homework and make the choice that is the best for you. I get no compensation for sales. I also understand whole heartedly about buying within your family means. Look over your shoulder, I'm in the same boat as you are.

Capt. Jim
The BEAST

[Mdenyse]

The following short narrative about the switch to digital Emergency Positioning Indicating Radio Beacons (EPIRBs) will dispel all the rumors as well as answer a few questions that have been popping up on blogs throughout the net. Please read and enjoy.

Out with the old, in with the new; emergency distress signals go digital
Story by Petty Officer 3rd Class Michael De Nyse, U.S. Coast Guard

Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons (EPIRBs) have helped to save countless lives at sea. EPIRBs are portable radio beacons designed to alert the Coast Guard of a vessel's position in the event of an emergency.

Beginning Feb. 1, the U.S. Coast Guard and other search and rescue agencies will only receive distress alerts broadcasting the digital 406 MHz signal.

The digital 406 MHz EPIRB's signal is 50 times more powerful than the analog 121.5/243 MHz beacon boaters have been using for many years.

"This transition will reduce the number of false distress alerts and allow search and rescue resources to give real alerts the attention they deserve," said Lt. Danielle Renoud, a search and rescue coordinator stationed at the Coast Guard District Fourteen Joint Rescue Coordination Center in Honolulu. "The 406 MHz beacon is superior to the 121.5/243 MHz beacon because the location information is much more accurate and the signal carries registration information with it."

406 MHz EPIRBs broadcast a unique code that identifies each vessel. Proper registration of an EPIRB will make it much more effective during an emergency. When a 406 MHz beacon signal is received, search and rescue personnel can retrieve information from a registration database. This includes the beacon owner's contact information, emergency contact information, and the vessel's identifying characteristics.

EPIRBs fall into two categories: Category I units are designed to float free from a sinking boat and will automatically activate themselves; Category II units must be manually activated by someone on the vessel. There are new units on the market that now include built-in Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers. The GPS-EPIRBs broadcast more accurate position information about the vessel.

"Our hope is that all mariners and pilots will carry a 406 MHz beacon and keep all contact information updated on the beacon registration Web site," said Renoud. "Doing these two things will ensure the best possible chance of rescue during an emergency."

The regulation applies to all Class A, B, and S 121.5/243 MHz EPIRBs. It does not affect 121.5/243 MHz man overboard devices that are designed to work directly with a base alerting unit only and not with the satellite system.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration maintains a database for EPRIB registrations. In the event a beacon is triggered, the contact information is used to call the owner's home or business. This information is critical for search and rescue coordinators to find those in distress as quickly as possible. Properly registered EPIRBs can significantly take the search out of search and rescue.

To register an EPIRB, please visit: Emergency Beacon Registration Redirection Welcome Page or call 1-888-212-SAVE. Registrations must be updated at least every two years or when information, such as emergency contact phone numbers, changes.

The Coast Guard urges all who work and play on the water to keep proper safety equipment onboard their vessels at all times. Coast Guard-approved life jackets, flares, fire extingushers, and a VHF-FM radio are just a few examples of life-saving equipment every boater should own.

For more information about EPIRBs, please visit: Emergency Position Indicating Radiobeacon (EPIRB) - USCG Navigation Center
For a photo of a 406 MHz EPIRB, please visit 081231-G-8030T-500

For more information about this story, please contact Petty Officer 3rd Class Michael De Nyse at 808-535-3235.

Very Respectfully,

Michael De Nyse
PA3 Michael De Nyse
Commander, 14th Coast Guard District (De) PJKK Federal Building 300 Ala Moana Blvd., Suite 9-122 Honolulu, HI 96850-0219
808-535-3235
14th District Public Information Site YouTube - D14PUBLICAFFAIRS's Channel

[weekley rehab]

good stuff guys, I keep thinking about getting one also , know I feel much better about dropping dime on one.

[GT Fish]

I have the 406 manual one and a liferaft...If you are gonna spend 80k + on a nice boat why not spend the extra on safety.I take my family on long trips to bahamas and tortugas.It just makes sense..I usually rent a SAT phone when we goto the tortugas just in case..

[freezorburn]

Yeap I spent almost a grand for the ACR 406.

The little green test light works Great!!!

I hope never, ever to use it for more then just looking at the little green test light. Also it is very nice to have when you go out on a freinds boat that dosn't have one.