EPIRB or PLB?

[Norman_E]

I have decided to buy one, but which? I normally sail with my wife, sometimes single handed. I like the idea of an EPIRB registered to the yacht, but am also attracted to the idea of a PLB that I can carry on me when single handed. As far as I can see both actually do the same things, namely transmit on 406 MHz when activated and send their position from an internal GPS and transmit on 121.5 MHz to guide rescue vessels. All will operate for 24 hours or more, and given that I am not crossing oceans that should be enough.

Can a PLB be registered to the yacht or is that reserved for EPIRBs only?

 

[onesea]

As you can tell from another post, I am going down PLB route.

My view similar sailing, if leaving some one on own on watch they can wear it. In fact they can wear it regardless if they want, if it was not for reading forums I probably would of carried on being a Luddite. Then the price has fallen I do not have EPIRB or Liferaft so it might give me a fighting chance, if things do go belly up...

I would like to think the rescue services will come to which ever beacon is set off..

 

[Norman_E]

My confusion on this is not helped by this webpage that clearly shows and describes a PLB but calls it an EPIRB. http://www.piplers.co.uk/mcmurdo-fastfind-max-g-epirb.html Perhaps the difference is based on how many hours its guaranteed to transmit for. I notice this one says 48 hours.

 

[mainsail1]

I purchased a PLB three years ago as I could not see any good reason to spend the extra on an EPIRB. Never used it in anger but it sits in a readily available position so that it can be grabbed if the worst ever does happen. The only downside I guess is that it will not float and is not automatically activated but on the plus side it is less expensive, small and does all the tricks that an EPIRB does.

 

[mainsail1]

Incidentally, my PLB is registered to the boat.

 

[mainsail1]

My confusion on this is not helped by this webpage that clearly shows and describes a PLB but calls it an EPIRB. http://www.piplers.co.uk/mcmurdo-fastfind-max-g-epirb.html Perhaps the difference is based on how many hours its guaranteed to transmit for. I notice this one says 48 hours.

You can get a PLB for much less than this one. Last time I looked I think mine was £225.

 

[Norman_E]

You can get a PLB for much less than this one. Last time I looked I think mine was £225.

I have seen the McMurdo Fastfind 220 for less that £190, and there are others even cheaper but I am more concerned with function than cost within reason as a full size EPIRB with GPS can be had for about £400.
Maybe I now have a reason to go to the London boat show, to have a look at the different offerings.

 

[photodog]

The two do different things....

Plb is small and can be carried on the person.... But doesn't self activate, or last as long, and may not float and may have to be held in a particular manner.

Epirb floats, self activates, doesn't need any intervention or managment, and lasts twice as long. Some also have a strobe.

Whilst on the surface they do the same thing, In reality if you DON'T single hand, an epirb should be your first choice... If you solo, then a plb.

We have, as a bit of historical accident, have both. Self launching epirb, and a plb for when I am solo.

Bear in mind however that the plb needs managing, if you are unconscious, or injured, you may not be able to manage the plb when in the water.

 

[hartcjhart]

I asked a guy that is a 'maritme safety instructor' the same question and nada no commitment eitrher way

 

[PhillM]

The two do different things....

Plb is small and can be carried on the person.... But doesn't self activate, or last as long, and may not float and may have to be held in a particular manner.

Epirb floats, self activates, doesn't need any intervention or managment, and lasts twice as long. Some also have a strobe.

Whilst on the surface they do the same thing, In reality if you DON'T single hand, an epirb should be your first choice... If you solo, then a plb.

We have, as a bit of historical accident, have both. Self launching epirb, and a plb for when I am solo.

Bear in mind however that the plb needs managing, if you are unconscious, or injured, you may not be able to manage the plb when in the water.

I agree with photodog. I have an EPIRB. However, I plan to buy a PLB for when I am single handed. EPIRB if the boat is in trouble and PLB if I go overboard. OTT perhaps but they both have advantages and disadvantages.

IF I had expected to go single handed as much as I do, I would have gone the PLB route first. I didn't so I went the EPIRB route.

 

[bedouin]

If you only have one then get a PLB that you can carry on your person (yes they are registered to the ship)

The only real benefit of the ship EPIRB is automatic activation in the case the ship sinks whereas the manual would require you to be carrying it and conscious. I think there are very few situations where that would save a life.

 

[alant]

I have decided to buy one, but which? I normally sail with my wife, sometimes single handed. I like the idea of an EPIRB registered to the yacht, but am also attracted to the idea of a PLB that I can carry on me when single handed. As far as I can see both actually do the same things, namely transmit on 406 MHz when activated and send their position from an internal GPS and transmit on 121.5 MHz to guide rescue vessels. All will operate for 24 hours or more, and given that I am not crossing oceans that should be enough.

Can a PLB be registered to the yacht or is that reserved for EPIRBs only?

The McMurdo plb, is 406 & they specifically stated on their SBS stand, that they had to be registered with HMCG in the same way as an EPIRB. Anyway, the 121.5 are relatively short range things, so unless someone is already in your vicinity + looking for you, a 406 beats them hands down.

 

[Norman_E]

All the ones I have looked at seriously transmit on 406 and 121.5, and have inbuilt GPS. I cannot see the point of paying over £300 for an EPIRB without GPS when a 406KHz and 121.5KHz PLB with GPS can be had for much less. The only other feature I would like to have is a user replaceable battery.

 

[prv]

From an electronic and signalling point of view they do exactly the same thing. I'm not even sure whether the Coastguard registration distinguishes between them - certainly they're registered to a vessel in exactly the same way, and the response is the same.

The differences are physical, the most important one being that an EPIRB will operate while free-floating in the water whereas a PLB will not (some PLBs are buoyant to help avoid losing them, but they still need to be held out of the water to work properly). Because of this property, it makes sense to offer automatic mountings for EPIRBs that will release if immersed - and a number of crews have been rescued because of automatic EPIRBs launching themselves in rapid capsizes and sinkings.

EPIRBs are required to have a longer in-use battery life than PLBs, although for European coastal sailing I don't see this as especially relevant.

PLBs are cheaper (under £200) than EPIRBs (£500+, and more for an auto mounting).

For what it's worth, I have a PLB used as a "poor man's EPIRB", kept in the top of the grab bag.

Pete

 

[prv]

Anyway, the 121.5 are relatively short range things, so unless someone is already in your vicinity + looking for you, a 406 beats them hands down.

I think you've missed Norman's point - he's not proposing to buy a 121-only device (are they even still sold?), he just mentioned it as an additional feature, which applies to all EPIRBs and PLBs I know of.

Pete

 

[bbg]

If the budget stretches to an EPIRB maybe it stretches to two PLBs? One for OP and one for wife?

Most of my sailing is offshore single or double handed. I keep a PLB on my person at all times when under way it is so small that it easily fits in a pocket without being noticed. Make sure it is attached on a cord long enough to hold it above water. It won't always be the best or quickest way to call for help. But is probably the most certain.

 

[lw395]

Do you carry a 121.5MHz receiver?

If not, might an AIS MOB beacon be more use?

 

[VicMallows]

Registering PLB to ship or to individual?

It is now legal to use a PLB on land (certainly in the UK; I assume in EU; and also in many other countries).

This raises the question: if you are likely to use the same PLB both on land (hiking/horse-riding/whatever) and at sea, is it better to register it to the ship or to the individual? (Either way, a competent available 'person-to-contact' is obviously very important).

It may have been updated by now but the last time I looked the EPIRB/PLB registration form was less than helpful in this respect.

 

[lustyd]

I don't see this as an either or. Every (yes EVERY) lifejacket should have a PLB permanently attached if you do any kind of solo sailing or "adventurous" sailing like crossing channels or seas. A PLB does not get in the way at all, I've worn one for quite a few trips now and don't notice it any more. Every boat should have an EPIRB if it's likely that it will be far enough out that nobody would notice it sinking or raise an alarm etc.

Both of these can be put in place for less severe circumstances, so you could buy a PLB even if you only ever go a few hundred yards if you really want to. In my opinion putting a PLB in a bag ia a waste of money. Just like your life jacket it's useless unless worn, and it would be trivially cheap to put a pouch on each LJ on the boat so you can ensure the current watch has it on even if more PLBs seem too costly. Given the cost of yachting, mooring, maintenance etc I don't think a device under £200 should be considered a luxury - that's more than likely less than you pay for antifoul every few years, and is certainly less than the ropes are worth on a yacht. No, the price point they are at isn't cheap, but it's also not unreasonable either.

 

[lustyd]

It is now legal to use a PLB on land (certainly in the UK; I assume in EU; and also in many other countries).

Even if it wasn't legal, I'd rather be in court talking to OFCOM than on a mountain frozen to death or dragging myself through the woods with broken legs!