EPIRB -should I bother?

[Gypsyjoss]

A Happy New Year to you all!

We inherited an ACR RLB 32 406 MHz EPIRB with the boat. We (the two of us) sail for about 2 months a year in the spring in the Aegean in a Sadler 32. We have a new liferaft, a load of out of date flares (One of them should work!), this EPIRB plus standard vhf, two mobiles and a laptop for communication. We don't DO F8s. Prefer sitting in a bar with a glass of ouzo!

The EPIRB tests ok but servicing date is 04/2005. The service charge from Sartech is £200 plus carriage.
A new McMurdo Fastfind 200 PLB is £200 or the 210 with GPS is £210 plus £5 carriage.

Q1 - Do I need one, do all boats have them? Would I be better investing limited funds in a new DSC VHF? Quote from McMurdo "(it) should be carried by individuals, who are embarking on trips into areas around the world where there is little or no other forms of communication or where other forms of communication are unlikely to work."

Q2 - If I need one, would it make sense to chuck it and buy a new one? Is a PLB just as good?

Q3 - Google didn't throw up any competition to Sartech for servicing. Is there any?

Cheers
Pete

 

[Baddox]

If you need an EPIRB then carrying one with GPS makes a lot of sense. Your current unit may test OK, but how much life is left in its ageing battery?
Have a look at the McMurdo Fastfind Max G that has dual frequency signal, GPS and a 48hr bttery life.

 

[Tranona]

Although the number in use has increased dramatically in the last few years, activations have not, particularly in Europe. The vast majority of activations are in Australia/NZ and the Americas plus offshore. The number activated for real in the area you sail in is almost nil.

The reasons for this are relatively simple. First there are very few incidents of ships or yachts foundering. Secondly you are almost always within VHF (and now mobile) range so summoning help is relatively easy, particularly using DSC.

However, once you move out of VHF range then an EPIRB becomes much more valuable as an effective way of notifying rescuers of your position.

These comments are based on a detailed analysis of the Sarsat statistics (unfortunately I have lost the link where they are published) worldwide. Although there are many examples of lives being saved as a result of EPIRB activations, they are not in situations that you might reasonably find yourself in.

An EPIRB is an expensive item to buy and maintain and of limited value for most coastal sailors in Northern Europe. That of course changes once you undertake longer passages out of VHF range. Arguably the need to summon help is greater (although not convinced personally that it is) but certainly it is a superior method compared with the alternatives.

 

[Bilgediver]

A Happy New Year to you all!

We inherited an ACR RLB 32 406 MHz EPIRB with the boat. We (the two of us) sail for about 2 months a year in the spring in the Aegean in a Sadler 32. We have a new liferaft, a load of out of date flares (One of them should work!), this EPIRB plus standard vhf, two mobiles and a laptop for communication. We don't DO F8s. Prefer sitting in a bar with a glass of ouzo!

The EPIRB tests ok but servicing date is 04/2005. The service charge from Sartech is £200 plus carriage.

The EPIRB should be registered with the Mrcc of the flag country. The previous owner should have de registered it and you need to register it with MRRC Falmouth as otherwise it will be the previous owners contact people who will be advised that you are sinking in Mid Atlantic and not your SWIMBO If the boat is UK registered then Ofcom should be advised of change of ownership regarding call sign and MMSI.

 

[William_H]

Although the number in use has increased dramatically in the last few years, activations have not, particularly in Europe. The vast majority of activations are in Australia/NZ and the Americas plus offshore. The number activated for real in the area you sail in is almost nil.

The reason for large number of activations in Australia is that most states make it mandatory for you to carry an EPIRB if you sail beyond 3nm from shore. Also there are huge numbers of "Tinnies" used for fishing. (Aluminium open boat around thew 16ft long with 40 to 80HP on the back) They are a classic invitation to getting into trouble.
Yes EPIRB has proven to be vastly superior to flares and anything else for out of range of VHF type problems. Buy a new one or get the old one fixed. You might be able find batteries for it. (The essence of service).
good luck olewill

 

[BobPrell]

The vast majority of activations are in Australia/NZ and the Americas plus offshore
The reason for large number of activations in Australia is that most states make it mandatory for you to carry an EPIRB if you sail beyond 3nm from shore.
good luck olewill

I was not aware that Australia is a high-usage area by comparison with other regions, but I am certainly not surprised, because the media and authorities constantly harp about immediate use of EPIRBs if an emergency arises.

This means that EPIRB activation becomes the action of first resort, no matter what the level of the problem. The "authorities" then respond with high-intensity high-cost measures and seafarers get criticised about the cost.

In this situation, a fisher lost visual contact with his mother ship. He went to a sandbank and stayed there overnight. He was cooler than he would have liked but there was no imminent danger to himself or his vessel. His mother ship reported him missing and a search was started.

http://www.couriermail.com.au/ipad/...scued-off-mackay/story-fn6ck45n-1226234972502

the 28-year-old man was able to alert emergency services to his location thanks to his EPIRB (a distress radio beacon), which he activated when he heard the AMSA search plane overhead.
The fisherman will have a more thorough medical examination today and undergo routine questioning by police.
RACQ-CQ reminded people to activate their EPIRBs immediately on being lost or disorientated as the man would have been located yesterday during daylight hours if his EPIRB had been turned on.

There has been no mention of why he could not contact his mother ship. Remember this is a workplace incident not a liesure incident. I would have thought there were commercial operational reasons why the fisher should be able to contact the mother ship, let alone the safety issue for a worker isolated from support and alone.

 

[mobing]

This means that EPIRB activation becomes the action of first resort, no matter what the level of the problem. The "authorities" then respond with high-intensity high-cost measures and seafarers get criticised about the cost

good tips !

 

[nimbusgb]

Given the distances between islands I'd be tempted to go with a PLB. If anything goes drastically wrong pulling the pin on it should overcome a lack of vhf coverage. You don't need 48 hours of coverage, changes are you'd be pinpointed inside a few hours even in a worst case scenario but there are bits of shoreline that you could end up on that are very isolated.

Boats have sunk in less than a minute although that may be a very remote risk in the Aegean, after all you're unlikely to hit a whale or a container whilst surfing off a big swell!

I'm in the same situation at the moment and seriously considering shelving the big EPIRB in favour of a PLB.

McMurdo PLB with GPS Amazon - £200.

 

[Tranona]

I was not aware that Australia is a high-usage area by comparison with other regions, but I am certainly not surprised, because the media and authorities constantly harp about immediate use of EPIRBs if an emergency arises.

This means that EPIRB activation becomes the action of first resort, no matter what the level of the problem. The "authorities" then respond with high-intensity high-cost measures and seafarers get criticised about the cost.

Many of the EPIRBs are made in Australia, reflecting the high demand there for the reasons you mention. Unfortunatley I can't find the detailed activation statistics at the moment, but the headline stats are easily accesssible on the Sarsat site. Approximately half the activations are marine related - the balance mainly aircraft and land (backpackers, mountaineers etc). Australia and NZ account for roughly half of the total, with the Americas next followed by offshore. The number of marine related activations in Europe is tiny in comparison - reflecting perhaps the very good VHF coverage and intense nature of SAR services (at least up till now).

The majority of sailing activity in Europe is in coastal waters with good VHF, mobile phone and even visual coverage. Although there is a regular (but arguably declining - see MCA and RNLI statistics) stream of emergencies involving pleasure craft, the number of actual founderings is extremely small. In reports of incidents, very rarely does poor communications come up as a negative issue - that is the casualty is usually able to summon help and be found fairly easily.

There is of course a real worry now that this may change under the government plans to change the structure of SAR services, reducing the number of people observing what is going on (both visually and electronically) and "rationalising" air cover - ie less choppers. It may well be that EPIRBs become more useful in the future to supplement DSC.

 

[macd]

Whilst sailing in Greece I've read several Navtex messages referring to activated Epirbs, something like: "Epirb activated at [such and such location]...any vessels in vicinity keep sharp lookout". Doesn't exactly fill you with confidence about search and rescue (although if you happen to have been in a NATO plane, they throw everything at you).

In your neck of the woods I'd stick with VHF/DSC.

Incidentally, if you do decide to stick with the Epirb and re-register (which is essential) be prepared for a hefty bill if re-programming in involved. They'll no doubt insist on replacing the batteries at the same time, which will also make your jaw drop.

 

[PeterGibbs]

A Happy New Year to you all!

Q2 - If I need one, would it make sense to chuck it and buy a new one? Is a PLB just as good?

Q3 - Google didn't throw up any competition to Sartech for servicing. Is there any?

Cheers
Pete

Look at it this way. When an emergency occurs it is highly unlikely to be one of those slowly unfolding jobs that spurs you to get your flares lined up, sails nicely trimmed, and radio primed etc etc. There will be a lot of nervous energy surrounding whatever the peril is. There will be a lack of control over your situation. You need help ASAP.

As you know the EPIRB is activated really fast, and you know is placing you and your need immediately on the big chart. Whatever help can be diverted to you will be on its way.

There are indeed few activations in UK waters, so you can be assured yours will be taken seriously - isn't that the way to read it?

Otherwise, after the event, you can look back and consider what the outcome might have been had there been an EPIRB to reach for. Will regret play any part of that review?

PWG

 

[nimbusgb]

Whilst sailing in Greece I've read several Navtex messages referring to activated Epirbs, something like: "Epirb activated at [such and such location]...any vessels in vicinity keep sharp lookout". Doesn't exactly fill you with confidence about search and rescue (although if you happen to have been in a NATO plane, they throw everything at you).

In your neck of the woods I'd stick with VHF/DSC.

Incidentally, if you do decide to stick with the Epirb and re-register (which is essential) be prepared for a hefty bill if re-programming in involved. They'll no doubt insist on replacing the batteries at the same time, which will also make your jaw drop.

£200 to replace batteries and reprogram at the same time - reprogramming part of the deal cos it's £200 without the reprogram

£35 to reprogram

and I'm just about to start another thread on EPIRB's

 

[macd]

There are indeed few activations in UK waters, so you can be assured yours will be taken seriously.

I doubt that is hugely reassuring to an OP who wrote: "We...sail for about 2 months a year in the spring in the Aegean." That'll be the Mediterranean Aegean, I suspect.

 

[ukmctc]

Keep it, service it, buy individual ones too if you can afford it. When the $**t hits the fan, you'll feel much better.

The only thing that stops most people from having every safety device onboard is the lack of cash, if you have it use it, spend it.

If you're going to get rid......PM me.

 

[vyv_cox]

Judged by the rapid response of Olympia Radio when a DSC Mayday is sounded, the need for an Epirb in the Aegean must be low. Radio operator is usually on air within seconds enquiring after the casualty. It would seem you cannot be out of VHF range throughout Greece, southernmost Aegean not yet cruised so don't know about there.

 

[Gypsyjoss]

Thanks everybody for your interesting replies.
To clarify, we inherited the EPIRB over 3 years ago and it is properly registered etc, mind you if it went off now, it would place the boat on my desk in the Midlands!

I will upgrade my VHF to a DSC model and connect my GPS to it.

EPIRB/PLB - the jury is still out. Am quite interested in the DIY battery change (see recent post).
Would I have bought one if the boat didn't have one? Probably not!

Cheers!

Pete

 

[William_H]

Thanks everybody for your interesting replies.
To clarify, we inherited the EPIRB over 3 years ago and it is properly registered etc, mind you if it went off now, it would place the boat on my desk in the Midlands!

I will upgrade my VHF to a DSC model and connect my GPS to it.

EPIRB/PLB - the jury is still out. Am quite interested in the DIY battery change (see recent post).
Would I have bought one if the boat didn't have one? Probably not!

Cheers!

Pete

The real advantage of the 206mhz EPIRB is that apart from satelite being able to pinpoint location more accurately the registration enables the beacon to be identified. If your beacon went off on your desk in Midlands you should get a phone call pretty smartly enquiring of the registered owner just where the beacon is. Hence likely hood of it being a true emergency. If your family then say the beacon is at sea on your boat then SAR would be started. It is this improvement of certainty that it is not a accidental or misleading activation that encourages full SAR response. False alarms have been reduced by about 10 fold since the moving away from 121.5 non digital beacons in Oz. There are few false alarms now.
because the owner can be traced. (and if necessary embarrassed)
As for reregistration I understood it is a paper work exercise to identify a new owner of existing beacon and ID number rather than change the electronic ID. Is it not so in UK?
By contrast as far as I can see while there are a lot of DSC VHF in Oz the system is not used very much. Perhaps due to widespread use of EPIRB. olewill

 

[Tranona]

As for reregistration I understood it is a paper work exercise to identify a new owner of existing beacon and ID number rather than change the electronic ID. Is it not so in UK?
By contrast as far as I can see while there are a lot of DSC VHF in Oz the system is not used very much. Perhaps due to widespread use of EPIRB. olewill

The registration is free, but the reprogramming with your details (MMSI etc) needs a trip to the agent. Test, reprogramming, carriage each way is about £50.

VHF is widely used in UK, mostly now with DSC. Have not seen any stats on frequency of DSC usage in emergencies, but as suggested in my earlier post, there is rarely any comment from SAR about poor communications with casualties, nor difficulty in finding them. Guess that is a function of our good watchkeeping and relatively small area of operation. For example, where I live in Poole we have (currently) two dedicated choppers, one 30 miles east, one 30 miles west, two all weather lifeboats in and just outside the harbour, another 30 miles west and another 15 miles east - plus inshore boats and an all weather police launch. Pretty well covered.