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Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB)
Automatic Identification System (AIS)

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EPIRB's help save lives by transmitting an alert to rescue authorities that
contains beacon unique identification & current location

FCC ship station license no longer required to purchase or carry an EPIRB

Planning offshore or extended boat trip & do not own an EPIRB?
Rent one from BoatUS Foundation 406 MHz EPIRB rental program

Registering EPIRB or DSC Radio is FREE & provides Rescue Authorities
access to important vessel / owner information, so be sure to
keep Registration Information up-to-date

EPIRB Types:

Category I & II 406/121.5 MHZ

Detectable anywhere in world
Recognized by GMDSS
Available with integral GPS receiver
Category I  -  Automatic-activation; hydrostatic release 'Float-free' bracket
Category II  -  Manually activated; activates in water if removed from bracket

Inmarsat E - Currently not sold in U.S.

1646 MHZ  -  Float-free, automatic-activation.  Detectable by Inmarsat.  Recognized by GMDSS.  FCC considering recognizing.

Class A, B & S - Phased out; No Longer Recognized

121.5/243 MHZ

Class C - Phased out; No Longer Recognized

VHF Channel 15/16

Category I & II 406 MHz EPIRB's  -  USCG recommended & only units sold in US certified by USCG

Best units have integral GPS receiver
If properly & professionally installed, USCG prefers Category I to Category II
Best EPIRB available

406 MHz designated for distress use internationally.  406 MHz EPIRB's with integral GPS receivers sends identification & accurate location information to rescue authorities immediately upon activation.  A 406 MHz EPIRB can be located within 2 to 5 km & provides vessel identification from an encoded signal anywhere in world (no range limitation).  These units also include a 121.5 MHz homing signal to allow air & rescue craft to quickly locate them.

The signal from a 406 MHz EPIRB can be detected by COSPAS-SARSAT satellites as well as GOES weather satellites.  EPIRBs detected by GEOSTAR system send rescue authorities an instant alert, but without location information unless EPIRB is equipped with an integral GPS receiver.  EPIRBs detected by COSPAS-SARSAT (e.g. TIROS N) satellites provide rescue authorities distress location, but receiving this information may be delayed as much as two hours.

EPIRB Testing

EPIRB should be periodically examined for water tightness, battery expiration date & signal presence.  406 MHz EPIRBs can be tested through self-test function, which is an integral part of device.  406 MHz EPIRBs can also be tested inside a container designed to prevent reception of its signal.  Testing a 406 MHz EPIRB by allowing it to radiate outside such a container is illegal.

EPIRB Battery Replacement

406 MHz EPIRBs use a special type of lithium battery designed for long-term low-power consumption operation.  Batteries must be replaced by date indicated on EPIRB label using model specified by manufacturer.  It should be replaced by a dealer approved by manufacturer. If replacement battery is not proper type, EPIRB will not operate in a distress for duration specified.

EPIRB Registration (406 MHz)

406 MHz EPIRBs should be registered with NOAA & information update if owner, boat, address, phone number, etc. change.  If EPIRB is sold, make sure purchaser re-registers it.

Registration is mandated by Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to help save lives & strictly enforced by USCG, since unregistered units have caused loss of lives.  USCG routinely refers unregistered EPIRB non-distress activations (e.g. hoax, gross negligence, carelessness or improper storage & handling) to FCC, but has suspended forwarding non-distress activations of properly registered units, unless activation was due to hoax or gross negligence.  FCC prosecutes cases based upon evidence & will issue warning letters or notices of liability with fines up to $10,000.

Registration information is used to confirm that a distress situation exists & arrange appropriate rescue efforts.  GOES weather satellites (see below) can pick up & relay distress alerts to USCG well before COSPAS-SARSAT (see below) can provide location information.  If EPIRB is properly registered, USCG can use registration information to immediately begin action on case. If EPIRB is unregistered, a distress alert may take as much as two hours longer to reach USCG.  If an unregistered EPIRB transmission is abbreviated for any reason, EPIRB's location will be unknown & USCG will be unable to respond to distress alert.

Registration information Use

Registration information is entered into Beacon Registration Database maintained  by NOAA/NESDIS from which information is automatically sent to appropriate USCG SAR Rescue Coordination Center (RCC) if EPIRB is activated.

When RCC personnel contact emergency phone numbers, they will have all information provided on registration form.  You should let listed contacts know as much about your intended voyage as possible (i.e. route, stops, area you normally sail/fish/recreate, duration of trip, number of people going, etc.).  The more information contacts have, the better prepared SAR personnel will be to react.  Contacts can ask RCC personnel contacting them to be kept informed of any developments, if they so desire.

How To Register 406 MHz EPIRB

Online
Download registration form
Request registration form by fax (301-817-4565) or phone 1-888-212-7283 (outside U.S. call 301-817-4515)
Same phone numbers may be used to ask questions or request information
Send or fax completed form to:

SARSAT Beacon Registration
E/SP3, Room 3320, FB-4
NOAA
5200 Auth Road
Suitland MD 20746-4304

THERE IS NO CHARGE FOR THIS SERVICE & IT MAY SAVE YOUR LIFE
For more information see NOAA SARSAT Homepage

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International Satellite System for Search & Rescue

COSPAS (Space System for Search of Distress Vessels - Russian acronym) - SARSAT (Search & Rescue Satellite-Aided Tracking) System was established by U.S., Russia, Canada & France to locate EPIRB's transmitting on 121.5, 243 & 406 MHZ.  COSPAS-SARSAT has 406 MHz EPIRB repeaters on geostationary satellites & ground stations capable of receiving 406 MHz signal.

GEOSAR 406 MHz part provides global coverage using polar-orbiting satellite & with assistance from COSPAS-SARSAT is capable of providing global coverage of 406 MHz EPIRBs distress alerts except for areas between United Kingdom & Norway, south of Australia east coast, area surrounding Sea of Okhotsk near Russia & polar areas.

GEOSAR System cannot:

1. Detect 121.5 MHz alerts

2. Route unregistered 406 MHz alerts to appropriate rescue authorities

3. Calculate location of an alert received, unless beacon has integral GPS receiver

ININMARSAT E EPIRB

Sends distress signal that includes registered identity similar to 406 MHz EPIRB & location from GPS navigational receiver inside EPIRB.  INMARSAT EPIRBs may be detected anywhere in world between 70 degrees North & 70 degrees South latitudes.  Alerts are transmitted nearly instantly to rescue coordination center associated with earth stations receiving alert.  Alerts received over INMARSAT are routed to USCG.

Automatic Identification System (AIS) / AIS Online

AIS (47 CFR 80.5 Definition) is shipboard broadcast system operating in VHF maritime band that is capable of handling well over 4,500 reports per minute & updates as often as every two seconds.  Self-Organizing Time Division Multiple Access (SOTDMA) technology is used to ensure reliable ship-to-ship operation.

A Lifejacket Floats, You Don't - Wear It, We Do!

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Last Updated:  February 07, 2012 20:24

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