E.P.I.R.B.  Emergency Position Indicating Beacon.

 

   Take a close look at yours,  if it transmits on 121.5 MHZ no one may here it!

On February 1st 2009 the USCG stopped monitoring that frequency.

Make sure your EPIRB transmits on 406 MHZ .  I have had several customers come in lately to have their old 121.5 EPIRBS serviced.  It just does not make sense to spend a few hundred dollars if the USCG is not monitoring the 121.5 MHZ frequency.  The new satellite 406 MHZ EPIRBS are far more accurate and your signal will be heard!

   While on the subject of EPIRBS.....Spend an extra $200 and get a model with a GPS built in.

In the event of a real emergency and you and your family are floating in a life raft in 10 foot seas you will be rescued much faster with a GPS enabled device. 

  Oh, about that life raft, is it buried in the rudder lazerette or stuffed so far under a seat that you may have a problem getting it out if you need it? 

 

  All mariners need to read the Coast Guard's Safety Alert 8-09 and make sure you aren't carrying around an EPIRB  with a bogus or defective battery that may not function properly when you need it the most. 7th District inspectors have received three recent reports from EPIRB manufacturers asserting that, while servicing their own beacons, these bad batteries were discovered, with the previous servicing having been conducted by someone other than the manufacturer.  Battery replacements should always be done in accordance with the EPIRB's manual, which normally means by the original manufacturer. Given the tough economic times we're in the pressure to cut corners wherever possible to save money is intense. Look elsewhere for cost savings.....Do you want to find yourself bobbing around in the ocean thinking help is on the way when it isn't?