An Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) is a small electronic device that, when activated in an emergency, can help search and rescue authorities pinpoint your position.
Once activated, EPIRBs continuously send out a signal for at least 48 hours. Search and rescue authorities respond to all EPIRB activations. You must only activate the EPIRB in an emergency and you must tell them immediately if you no longer need help.
GPS enabled EPIRBs are accurate to 150 meters whereas non GPS enabled EPIRBs are only accurate to within 5 nautical miles!
A distress beacon is an electronic device that, when activated in a life threatening
situation, assists rescue authorities to locate people in distress.
All boats operating beyond smooth and partially smooth waters or more than 2nm from land in open waters must carry a 406MHz digital EPIRB.
Recreational operators of lightweight craft have a choice if they want to carry an EPIRB or a Personal Locator Beacon (PLB). If you choose to carry a PLB in place of an EPIRB, it must:
Lightweight craft means off the beach type craft, human powered canoe and kayak, small sailing vessels (less than 6m in length) and personal watercraft.
A personal locator beacon, or PLB for short, is a personal electronic transmitting device that is designed to alert potential rescuers to a life-threatening situation in the air, on water or in remote areas.
If you own a distress beacon, it MUST be registered. Registering your beacon is free and in is mandatory by law.
A registered beacon provides AMSA with essential information to contact you and your emergency contacts in the event of an emergency.
This information is critical for search and rescue authorities to commence a response in the shortest possible time. This could make all the difference in a life-threatening situation.
If your beacon is unregistered, this process will be slower, and the response may be delayed. Beacon registration is valid for two years and must then be renewed.
Whenever your contact details or beacon details change, you must update them with AMSA. Don’t wait for your registration to expire before doing this because incorrect contact details can also delay the response.
You can register your beacon online for free using AMSA app. This process will require you to use your email address as a username. You will also need to create a password. Make sure you save this information in a safe place for future use. You can also visit www.amsa.gov.au/beacons or call 1800 406 406.
Like your mobile phone, keep your beacon dry and store it appropriately. Refer to the manufacturer’s user manual for specific instructions for your model.
Distress beacons are stowed depending on the type. Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons (EPIRBs) have mounting brackets, Emergency Locator Transmitters (ELTs) are installed permanently and Personal Locator Beacons (PLBs) are carried in pockets or lifejackets. It is important to keep distress beacons away from:
To prevent your beacon being stolen, keep it locked away or out of sight when not in use.
Do not store beacons in high temperatures.
In a boat, an EPIRB should be stowed in its mounting bracket where it is visible and easy to access in an emergency. Some models are water activated when removed from the bracket. So please note that once removed, it will activate if it gets wet.
It can also be stored in a grab bag along with flares, a torch or strobe light and other safety equipment. The grab bag prevents the beacon from too much rough treatment and provides a dry environment for all your safety gear. Long-term exposure to water will cause corrosion to your beacon and may render it useless in a distress situation.
If wearing a PLB, ensure it is fitted near the shoulder of the lifejacket. If activated, the aerial will have a clear line of sight to the satellite.
Note: You should use a manually operated EPIRB if you intend to store it in a grab bag or out of its bracket.
What are my options for when my battery is due to expire?
406 MHz beacons have their battery expiry date printed on the beacons label.
Beacon batteries last for approximately 5-10 years. Before your battery reaches its expiry date, you should consider the options to ensure that the beacon will transmit properly in an emergency situation:
Option 1. Buy a new GPS equipped beacon Note: If you decide to buy a new beacon, make sure you dispose of the old one properly
Option 2. Contact the beacon manufacturer for battery replacement and servicing options. Always ensure your beacon is services by an authorised centre.
If you have used your beacon in a distress situation, contact the manufacturer or a certified servicing agent to replace the beacon battery and discuss your servicing options. This is because the battery may be depleted and the beacon may have been damaged during use. Therefore, the beacon will not be guaranteed to function correctly in another emergency situation.
Every beacon has a self-test switch. Please ensure you follow the manufacturer’s guidelines on how to perform a self-test and how often. Some manufacturers recommend that you self-test the beacon periodically, either once a month, or prior to a planned trip.
Note: Over testing can drain the battery.
When buying a new distress beacon ensure it is a 406MHz digital EPIRB and be sure to register it with AMSA
If you have purchased your beacon second hand, you must update your details with AMSA. If you don’t, simple…. AMSA won’t be able to find you if you are in trouble.
If you have sold a beacon, it is equally as important that you contact AMSA to update your details and let them know your beacon has been sold.
You will need a maritime mobile service identity (MMSI) number when using certain marine radio communications equipment. This number will assist emergency response services to respond to a distress alert, or another emergency.
If you aren’t sure if you require a MMSI or not, then click on this link to read more:
https://www.amsa.gov.au/safety-navigation/distress-beacons/about-maritime-mobile-service-identity-information
Do not dispose of old EPIRBs and PLBs in general waste as it will end up in landfill and could be accidentally activated. Contact your local battery store to check whether they disconnect and dispose of beacons. A small fee may apply.
Our best recommendation is to check your EPIRB for accessibility, condition and registration. Remember if it’s not easily accessible then it may not be of use to you in an emergency.
Additionally, if its condition has been comprised it may not work when needed and if it’s no registered then that can impact on your rescue.
We often note that during inspections that a number of operators, primarily recreational but some commercial ones have not registered their EPIRB.
We strongly recommend, logging into AMSA immediately and ensuring ALL details are correct regardless of if you think so or not.
If you work on a commercial vessel where there is a high potential for going overboard, e.g., trawlers, longline vessels, tugs, etc. our best tip is to wear a PLB which is GPS enabled. This greatly enhances your chances of recovery if you go overboard!
If you are unsure about any issues relating to Distress Beacons, registration etc. please do not hesitate to contact our office on (07) 4242 1412.
Remember to always be prepared to survive until help arrives.
