EPIRB or SeaMe

tomg

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40ft yacht with radar and firdell blipper, well maintained but not bottomless pocket. Many cross channel trips and often amongst big ships at night. This season I had allocated about £600 - £800 for an EPIRB but the Ouzo report has made me wonder if the money might be better spent on a SeaMe radar reflector. This seems to be the only piece of equipment to be recommended by the report. I know it would be better to have both but that is not the option under consideration. My crew are divided equally. Is it better to invest limited funds in being positively seen on radar or in being positively identified in the oggin following a catastophy?
 

Danny Jo

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I think you have answered the question yourself [ QUOTE ]
Many cross channel trips and often amongst big ships at night.

[/ QUOTE ] It would be a different answer if you were proposing an ocean crossing.
 

jb2006

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We have an Echomax - last boat had a Blipper. In practice I think the Blipper works pretty well, based on our experience of boats clearly taking action to avoid us before we could see them. I am considering fitting a Sea Me but unless insurers start to demand it following the report, a PLB is probably higher on my list.
 

donm

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In the order in which they might be useful to you in the event that you are in a similar position to that of the ill fated "Ouzo", the reflector scores first (and therefore highest) as it may well keep you and your boat afloat! The EPIRB might only be useful AFTER you have been missed by a radar!
Must be the reflector if you cannot buy both
 
A

Anonymous

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Go for the EPIRB if it has to be a choice. You can never rely on ships altering course for you whether or not they have seen you - we as yachties have to take that message on board. It is easy for us to see the big ships especially with radar but even without, you can hear them and see them, usually, and if not you can arrange not to cross the shipping lanes. The EPIRB would serve you in case of fire, serious accident when there is no capable crew to handle a full R/T emergency, grounding, capsize, or even medical emergency if there are only two of you and one is giving CPR or putting pressure on a bleed.

I have no plans to buy the active 'reflector' excellent though they might be.
 

malcolmbullock

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For your budget you should be able to get both a cat2 EPIRB and a See-Me. I've just bought both. Out of preference though I would have gone for the See-ME. Mounted at the top of a mast the resultant range and image size is something I value. One of the reasons big ships probably don't take much in the way of action is that they 'see' us too late. I remember being on the bridge of a fast ferry from Liverpool to Dublin and watching/listening to the officers as we came 'upon' yachts off Anglesey. At 20'odd knots they arrive on the scene fast, getting them a signal earlier (having the 'reflector' higher up), and more reliable (bigger surface area), will enable them to take action. We can't expect them to alter course with only a few minutes reaction time. If we had been on Radar and plotted for 10 mins or more then perhaps. Also, it's about being seen (early) isn't it, not just that the ship may or may not alter. Especially with the Ouzo, if the yacht had been seen the Ouzo may not have altered course when she did. If you can't get a full cat2 EPIRB with the cash then perhaps buy a PLB and give it to the person on watch to put in there pocket. If you are in the shipping lanes a waterproof handheld (oh and keep a day/night flare on your lifejacket as per RNLI practice) will raise the alarm just fine. Cheers,
 
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Anonymous

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Just one point - you really need a GPS EPIRB as these are the only ones to give a fast response. Minutes rather than hours (worst case)
 

MikeJones

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Class B AIS Transponder.
Comar in Cowes do a nice unit, had a look at the London show and everything required inc GPS aerial and separate VHF antenna for £699
 

Oldhand

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If you use your radar as necessary, understand it and take positive action for collision avoidance yourself, that in my mind is more reliable than any radar reflector or transponder because you are not relying on the other guy. Therefore conclusion is get the EPIRB, which also helps you if you are unfortunate enough to have distress for reasons other than collision.
 

PeterGibbs

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The fundamental question is surely: do you want to be in command of your own fortune or dependent on the watchfulness of others for your lives?

The very sad Ouzo case illustrates the dilemma well - according to the MAIB report. When the officer on watch is using some crap glasses that hinder proper vision hence functioning you know you are on your own.

Years ago I was almost run down in fog outside Zeebrugge. I went immediately and bought a radar - still have one - and fitted it myself. EPIRB is a sensible backup (?next year's budget) but for a few dinners more you could have a screen and EBL function that shows you precisely what your risks are in whatever conditions.

You know it's worth it.

PWG
 

JREdginton

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Problem with AIS is that as yet there is no requirment for older vessle to interface AIR Rx (PoB Ouzo report stated it would not have helped as the PoB did not have AIS Rx system interfaced with radar) Newer vessels do have facility, but not all.

SeaMe if you want to be seen at this time, EPIRB to cover what happens if you ain't. I am fiarly sure that abit of haggling at your local swindlery would yield both in your budget.

Do remember that all the gizmos in the world will not and do not make the MkI eyeball redundant either.
 

Dave99

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Epirb or both
I would consider a personal epirb for the on watch crew to have in their pocket - or an auto, which self releases on deck.

I know someone with quite a neat set up for long offshores. They have a personal epirb for the on watch crew and a satphone. Should the epirb go off (ie crew falls out) then the mrcc will phone the satphone and tell them where the person is.

Equally should they not get a response on the satphone they will launch a full scale rescue.

Perfect for mob or sinking!! Would work well in coastal waters with the VHF system/ CG66 etc
 
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