EPIRBS & Emergency Signaling Devices

EPIRBs are required if you are heading out more than two miles from the coast, while PLBs are more suited for those heading out relatively short distances. EPIRBs are registered to a boat while PLBs are registered to an individual. An EPIRB usually has more battery life, and always includes a strobe light. Both devices send out an SOS via satellite communications to aid in search-and-rescue operations.

The most important marine emergency signaling devices are EPIRBs and PLBs, visual signals, such as a flame, red flare or laser flare, orange smoke signal, or sound signals, such as a gun or signal horn and radio signals such as the morse group SOS, the international code signal NC, or the spoken word “Mayday” by radiotelephone.

EPIRBs are required if you are heading out more than two miles from the coast, while PLBs are more suited for those heading out relatively short distances. EPIRBs are registered to a boat while PLBs are registered to an individual. An EPIRB usually has more battery life, and always includes a strobe light. Both devices send out an SOS via satellite communications to aid in search-and-rescue operations.

EPIRBs are not required for recreational boats registered in the U.S. Only commercial fishing industry vessels operating beyond the three mile territorial sea line or beyond three miles from the coastline of the Great Lakes must carry a 406 MHz EPIRB. However, EPIRBS are highly recommended for all vessels in the case of emergency situations, in order for coast guard search and rescue teams to locate the vessel anywhere and anytime, as soon as possible.

Emergency signaling devices are designed to alert people of a potentially dangerous situation by producing an attention-grabbing signal. These devices transmit your location to the AIS receivers on the boats around you, and also send out a GPS signal to satellites to alert authorities to your position. Common emergency signaling devices include EPIRBs, flares, sirens, strobe lights, and audible messages.

The EPIRB system has a detection accuracy of 2-5 km. New GPS enhanced EPIRBs provide a location accuracy of 100 meters in 50 to 120 seconds. The emergency positioning accuracy is made possible by a system of satellites, providing worldwide coverage and ensuring a reliable transmitted signal. This system helps marine search and rescue teams accurately locate individuals in distress more quickly and efficiently.