EPIRB or PLB?

At the risk of being a little bit anal, just wanted to clarify slightly.

* An EPIRB is Registered to a Vessel, a PLB is registered to an individual.

* EPIRBs don't Necessarily Self-Activate - they can be purchased as a manual, manual float-free, automatic or automatic float-free configuration.
 
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FishyInverness said:
* An EPIRB is Registered to a Vessel, a PLB is registered to an individual.
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Really? AFAIK this is the only registration form there is, applicable to both types:

http://www.dft.gov.uk/mca/regformmca6025-5.pdf

Apart from circling the "PLB" entry under "type of vessel", it looks like the record would be identical.

I put in the details of our boat, but added the following note: "Beacon is a PLB usually kept on the above vessel, but use elsewhere is possible." They (eventually) send you a printout of your record as confirmation, and this note has been included in the database. Hopefully it should make things clearer if I ever set it off from a mountainside or a different boat or whatever.

Pete
 
Interesting, thanks for that Pete. Every time i've ever raised the question with suppliers or manufacturers, the response has always been "PLB registers to individual, EPIRB registers to vessel" - ACR used to provide a crib sheet to tell you about the differences and it stated the same, I published it on here once, but for the life of me, can't find it now.

Seems that it's a single registration form, straightforward, I stand corrected on that point, cheers.
 
Although acceding that point, logic would dictate that a PLB should register to a person. If I was to purchase a PLB, I can think of about 7 different vessels I might be carrying it on board, not to mention hillwalking - only two of those are mine (A Kayak and an Inflatable!) - Therefore if I owned a PLB I wouldn't really have any vessel details to register it under. :(
 
FishyInverness said:
Although acceding that point, logic would dictate that a PLB should register to a person. If I was to purchase a PLB, I can think of about 7 different vessels I might be carrying it on board, not to mention hillwalking - only two of those are mine (A Kayak and an Inflatable!) - Therefore if I owned a PLB I wouldn't really have any vessel details to register it under. :(
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Never try to apply logic to a Government department :)

You're quite right of course, but the input side of the registry seems to be completely shambolic, taking many months to update an entry and send the confirmation sticker. For what it's worth, they do seem to have human beings with brains doing the entry (they unilaterally added a note to mine to explain the beacon's prior history) and of course on the output side they have Coastguard officers who can use their initiative. Combine this with a free-form Notes field that can explain the actual situation and it just about hangs together.

Pete
 
As I sail alone my own much of the time, I have gone down the PLB route. When I'm doing deliveries, whether alone or not, I contact the CG and tell them. They have said a number of times, they are very happy to do that. If I sailed more as a couple I would buy a second PLB.
Allan
 
LadyInBed said:
McMurdo FastFind MAX-G PLB Old'ish now, I bought mine in 2008 has user replaceable battery.
(Registered to vessel - Options are: Merchant, Fishing, Pleasure, Rig/Platform, Aircraft)
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It's only replaceable with a new expensive lump of McMurdo plastic though, you can't buy the cells on the open market.
I'd still want the thing properly tested after 5 or 7 years.
 
I have both. The PLB lives in my jacket pocket and the eprib near the chart table. The only difference I see is that the epirb has a 7 day battery but the PLB only 24 hours. If it took more than 24 hours to rescue you the eprib would be useful.
 
I believe that the PLB is considered movable from the vessel by the authorities which is why the PLB selection is on the form. My boy uses mine when he is out on the Wayfarer without me or exploring in the dinghy (he also has the hand held VHF which is his first port of call and his mobile in a waterproof bag). Was there not some legislation change which removed a restriction on PLBs being only used for marine distress; a bit vague on this to be honest.

My answer to the OP is have both. Buy the PLB first, then the EPIRB for the vessel later, if you have to save up between purchases. Next upgrade for me is the hydrostatic release for the EPIRB.
 
I went PLB route because when single handed I can strap onto my harness. Also if crewing on another vessel I usually bring my own PLB and HH VHF (ie due portability).
 
I have a PLB purchased at SIBS 2013 and when registering with the CG, it was not registered to a particular vessel but to me as an individual as I sail on various boats. should the alarm activate then the CG would call my mobile, if no answer then the next of kin listed on registration. Whenever I sail I always email my proposed trip, proposed time at sea, boat name, skipper contact details to my NOK as a security measure too.

So it can be either registered to a vessel or an individual.

I have mine permanently attached to my Life jacket which is worn whenever I am in the cockpit. Hopefully neither will ever be used.
 
My priority for a crew of two trying to make the best use of their safety dollar for devices to signal in an emergancy situation is: (assuming you have a fixed VHF).

2x PLB attached to life jackets. If you have this the next step is to add 2x AIS beacons attached to each life jacket. If you have this a HH VHF is next followed by an EPIRB.
 
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When our EPIRB battery was due for renewal it was presented to the manufacturer who required we take out another mortgage on the boat to pay for it. A new PLB 406/121 with a GPS was a cheaper option and seemed to be more useful. Especially at night, whatever the weather the helm has it on their person. It now needs a new "user fit" battery, I bet it will be cheaper to but a new PLB - think inkjet printers and the cost of cartridges its sort of the same. Anyway ours is registered to the boat because at that time (2008) OFCOM did n't seem to know what a PLB was so its an EPIRB!

A friend was agonising over his 18 year old daughter going walkabout to South America for a year, I suggested he bought her a PLB, he did, it eased his worries - not sure if it was a placebo or not but it helped (him). That one was registered to his boat and he gave it to her.

The rules changed (for the Uk) in 2011.

http://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/news/personal-locator-beacons-legalised-for-hillwalkers/006043/
 
noelex said:
My priority for a crew of two trying to make the best use of their safety dollar for devices to signal in an emergancy situation is: (assuming you have a fixed VHF).

2x PLB attached to life jackets. If you have this the next step is to add 2x AIS beacons attached to each life jacket. If you have this a HH VHF is next followed by an EPIRB.
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LOL you'll need a bigger lifejacket!
 
Marsupial said:
LOL you'll need a bigger lifejacket!
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Drowned due to safety equipment :)

Actually they are getting quite small. (The antenna retracts inside the case)
This is the latest PLB. The personal AIS beacons are about the same size.
Hopefully someone will combine both units into one before long.
 
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