EPIRB Versus PLB ?

[Stingo]

One was sited off the English coast this summer.

Link please?

 

[Roberto]

Can you think of any other way that I might attract attention alone on a dark and stormy night 200 miles offshore?

AIS is one way of attracting attention, somebody might actually be doing what they are supposed to be doing and keeping watch. I've always been aware that commercial OOWs are on top of their game and my own AIS set up wakes the dead when an alarm goes off.

At least with the 406 MHz signal the CG will be aware of where I am. They should be able to locate my lifeless body, unless I've become a light snack for some orcas*.

I have tested the PLB3 without the antenna being extended and can 'exclusively reveal' that it works.

* Please note that I have a very black sense of humour and no offence is intended.

Apologies if I did not express myself correctly, I was only referring to the AIS beacon side, which I quoted.
These threads often turn into 'I say yes, you say no' style of conversations, I am just making a general suggestion to form one's own practical experience before trusting anyone else's, in particular commercial leaflets or odd internet opinions like mine when it co;es to life saving devices . I personally find the internet useful for providing questions and doubts and incite to further investigate by personal means; then each ot his/her own, at least with some personal practical real life base; if you find AIS beacons do what it says on the leaflet so much the better.
Regards

 

[Metalicmike]

Link please?

The UK’s ‘first great white shark’ has been pictured off the south coast
'High possibility' great white sharks are lurking off UK coast, say experts

 

[awol]

Have Great Whites been reported in North Atlantic waters?

Yes, indeed they have. Try Googling the subject!
As for 200nm offshore, you are getting close to the range of the Bristow's Sikorsky S-92 so choose your weather (and shipping lanes) wisely.

 

[Thresher]

The UK’s ‘first great white shark’ has been pictured off the south coast
'High possibility' great white sharks are lurking off UK coast, say experts

Yes it is. And so is this.
A headline you can believe: The 'Sport' closes

 

[Bilgediver]

Hello @Jon magowan

I went for the Ocean Signal rescueME PLB3 for a number of reasons:

1. I do a lot of single handed sailing and if I go for an 'unplanned swim' the AIS alarm should walk everybody up with an AIS receiver within five nautical mile radius;
2. The CG will be informed that I've departed from the boat and it is sailing over the horizon at five knots and will be looking to wake up the nearest lifeboat and helicopter crew. I suspect there will be a call to the local hospital saying I am inbound and need a bed;
3. It has a homing beacon to assist SAR assets.
4. From time to time I do deliveries and as the PLB3 is tucked inside my lifejacket is always with me; and
5. If I go for a bimble in the mountains out of mobile phone reach and need assistance I can use the kit.

A couple of points, they are expensive, the documentation that comes with them was written by somebody from Mars who has little idea how to write simple instructions for mere mortals to understand - I have raised this with Ocean Signal.

This equipment seems good for coastal and oceanic sailing. I hope the documentation states the importance of registering these with our MRCC. at Falmouth. If this is not done then your rescue might be delayed . There was an incident earlier this year where a number of unregistered devices were in the water following a sinking.
Remember that when registered the Sat systems know which flag state to advise of the incident details . This is an international system.

If in coastal waters the response to a DSC call might be more effective especially if in vicinity of a lifeboat station.

 

[Boathook]

Hello @Jon magowan

I went for the Ocean Signal rescueME PLB3 for a number of reasons:

1. I do a lot of single handed sailing and if I go for an 'unplanned swim' the AIS alarm should walk everybody up with an AIS receiver within five nautical mile radius;
2. The CG will be informed that I've departed from the boat and it is sailing over the horizon at five knots and will be looking to wake up the nearest lifeboat and helicopter crew. I suspect there will be a call to the local hospital saying I am inbound and need a bed;
3. It has a homing beacon to assist SAR assets.
4. From time to time I do deliveries and as the PLB3 is tucked inside my lifejacket is always with me; and
5. If I go for a bimble in the mountains out of mobile phone reach and need assistance I can use the kit.

A couple of points, they are expensive, the documentation that comes with them was written by somebody from Mars who has little idea how to write simple instructions for mere mortals to understand - I have raised this with Ocean Signal.

Re point one. When at anchor I turn off my plotter and AIS so you could be local and I wouldn't be aware.
So far I have never seen an AIS alarm on my plotter and I do wonder whether I have disabled it or may it doesn't have it, the plotter being 8 years old. I think that the AIS beacon is good if others are board your boat and able to respond. But 5 miles for me is around an hour assuming no tide.

 

[Bilgediver]

Can you think of any other way that I might attract attention alone on a dark and stormy night 200 miles offshore?

AIS is one way of attracting attention, somebody might actually be doing what they are supposed to be doing and keeping watch. I've always been aware that commercial OOWs are on top of their game and my own AIS set up wakes the dead when an alarm goes off.

At least with the 406 MHz signal the CG will be aware of where I am. They should be able to locate my lifeless body, unless I've become a light snack for some orcas*.

I have tested the PLB3 without the antenna being extended and can 'exclusively reveal' that it works.

* Please note that I have a very black sense of humour and no offence is intended.

Both PLB and EPIRB are good for 200 miles offshore .When activated they connect with an international satellite system which passes the details of the vessel to the flag state where the EPIRB etc was registered and were shown on the registration form this data are available to MRCC which I believe is in Falmouth who will coordinate the rescue no matter where in the world it is taking place.

200 miles is right on the limits for a Puma however many Ocean ships are signed into a rescue coordination system and those ships nearest to you would be requested to give assistant.and usually a number will divert to cheap.


was

 

[zoidberg]

Has a great white ever been seen in the UK?
While the great white shark has not been a frequent resident of UK waters, there have been credibly reported sightings dating back to 1965, according to the University of Plymouth.

There are credible reports of Great Whites e.g. off the western end of Sicily, and Thresher sharks are regular migratory visitors to UK waters.

I'm unlikely to query 'which tribe'. If it's big and has teeth, I'll keep out of its way, thanks very much!

 

[Juan Twothree]

I hope the documentation states the importance of registering these with our MRCC. at Falmouth. If this is not done then your rescue might be delayed .

Beacon registration can all be done online now.
It's handled by the JRCC at Fareham, rather than Falmouth.

 

[ylop]

For coastal cruising neither are really necessary so it depends on whether you think you will end up in the water or if still in the boat other better means of communication are no longer available. For many a PLB gives a greater sense of security. If you look at what reports there are of MOBs they almost always happen in what might be called "extreme" conditions that you are unlikely to encounter in coastal cruising.

My anecdotal data may be wrong - but my impression is you are much more likely to drown getting on or off the dinghy than washed off the foredeck.

 

[Metalicmike]

There are credible reports of Great Whites e.g. off the western end of Sicily, and Thresher sharks are regular migratory visitors to UK waters.

I'm unlikely to query 'which tribe'. If it's big and has teeth, I'll keep out of its way, thanks very much!

Fortunately for us the Orcas are also moving north and they are Great White predators.

 

[st599]

Ofcom have just released a guidance note of changing rules on MOB devices, some will become non-compliant.

 

[Sandy]

Yes, indeed they have. Try Googling the subject!
As for 200nm offshore, you are getting close to the range of the Bristow's Sikorsky S-92 so choose your weather (and shipping lanes) wisely.

I did turn to Google. There have been reports, but not common. I shall risk assessment of 'being a snack for a Great White' as extremely low.

The 200nm figure was chosen for exactly that reason.

 

[boomerangben]

AIUI, EPIRBS have a longer battery life so are the thing to go for if you expect your time to rescue to extend beyond 24hours or so. So it would imply you have a life raft as well.

AIS based MOB are great if you have a boat with an AIS receiver and a crew who can handle the boat and effect a recovery.

406 PLBs are great for coastal waters and single handing. Pin point positioning, for suitably equipped (but specialised) aircraft and vessels.

A combo of AIS and 406 would be ideal in theory.

Radio waves don’t travel through water so whatever electronic device you use, its antenna needs to be held clear of the water and in the correct orientation

A day night flare will make the final visual part of the search much easier whatever the rescue crafts sensor capability is

AFAIK, orcas and great whites can’t home to any of the above but might be able to smell fear at great distances.

 

[Boathook]

Fortunately for us the Orcas are also moving north and they are Great White predators.

I thought that the orcas preferred Tuna that are moving north as well.

 

[Boathook]

Ofcom have just released a guidance note of changing rules on MOB devices, some will become non-compliant.

Are they emailing people about it or was it in one of the email communications that I don't normally read.

 

[Sandy]

I thought that the orcas preferred Tuna that are moving north as well.

I also prefer tuna to shark.

 

[Sandy]

Ofcom have just released a guidance note of changing rules on MOB devices, some will become non-compliant.

Is this what you are alluding to?

https://www.ofcom.org.uk/spectrum/radio-equipment/licensing-updates/

 

[st599]

Are they emailing people about it or was it in one of the email communications that I don't normally read.

Not sure they have to, licensees are required to ensure they remain within their conditions.

Is this what you are alluding to?

https://www.ofcom.org.uk/spectrum/radio-equipment/licensing-updates/

Yep, phased withdrawal of some MOB and similar devices.