EPIRB or PLB?

Which beacon do I need … a PLB or an EPIRB?

Both EPIRBS and PLB’s operate in similar ways once activated as they are tracking transmitters which aid in the detection and location of boats ( EPIRBS) and people (PLB’S) in extreme distress. They both interface with the world wide service of Cospas – Sarsat, the international satellite system for search and rescue. When activated the devices send distress signals that idenitify the registered user and the Latitude and Longitude of the device.

The signals are monitored world wide and as your device is a registered Australian device your rescue will be controlled by AMSA (Australian Maritime Safety Authority) who has responsibility to track and respond to all beacon activations.

The basic purpose of both EPIRB’s and PLB’s is to help rescuers find survivors within the so called “Golden Day” – the first 24 hours following a traumatic event during which the majority of survivors can usually be saved.

Since the inception of Cospas Sarsat in 1982 distress beacons have assisted in the rescue of 28.000 people in more than 7,000 distress situations. In 2012 alone these beacons were instrumental in the rescue of 2,388 people in 641 emergencies.

EPIRBs

EPIRBs (emergency position-indicating radio beacons) signal maritime distress and are typically mounted in boats and yachts where they are activated in May Day situations. EPIRBS are specifically designed with longevity and flotation functions that are specific to boating.

PLBs:

PLBs (personal locator beacons) are for personal use and are intended to indicate a person in distress who is away from normal emergency services and unable to call for help in any other way. PLB’s are used by individuals who may be crews on boats, aircrafts, and others who are in remote environments including, Hikers, Back Packers, Gliders, Rock Climbers, 4 Wheel drivers, Cyclists, Motor cyclists, and other adventurers.

PLBs were designed to give people in trouble a good chance of being rescued, whether they get lost or hurt in the backcountry, fall overboard, or their vessel sinks from under them. They are designed to be with you at all times, carried in your pocket, backpack or lifejacket.

But, a PLB is not a substitute for an EPIRB aboard an offshore vessel, largely because PLBs have a battery life in the neighborhood of only 24 hours. While your approximate location may be determined by the satellite-signaling 406Mhz beacon, it is the 121.5Mhz homing beacon that will bring a rescuer close to you. If you are well offshore, it could be far longer than 24 hours before a surface vessel can reach you. Furthermore, PLBs were designed to be carried by an individual; they lack the robust construction and permanent-mounting capability of a full-sized EPIRB.