EPIRB - what to look for?

[ip485]

My EPIRB requires a new battery. The cost of replacement is very nearly the cost of a lot of the EPIRBS on the market, and for not a great deal more, one of the more expensive can be purchased. My current EPIRB is a McMurdo G4.

Anone with the knowledge that would care to give a run down on the market place and the pros and cons would be greatly appreciated please with Ocean cruising in mind.

BTW I would prefer not to end up with a short battery life requiring expensive replacement or better still a battery that can be easily user replaced (PS I know I could have a go at making up a battery pack for the G4 but would prefer not to do so).

 

[William_H]

Firstly do get a EPIRB with GPS installed. Secondly get a full sized EPIRB not a PLB. I mention these points because our regulatory authority require a full sized EPIRB not PLB on the basis of battery operating life. While they still only recommend GPS I can see a time coming when they mandate that. All to make their SAR easier quicker. And EPIRB have really improved rescue rates and times. Now you probably don't have our regulations but the fact that they are regulated in some regimes must mean something.
Secondly as you have discovered battery life and ease of replacement will dictate the life of the unit. That is more difficult to find out without research good luck ol'will

 

[alexlago]

So, basically, "regulations" set aside, and as far as "reaching a rescuing unit" is concerned, the main difference between a PLB and an EPIRB is battery life...

 

[Gwylan]

PLB operational llife is 24 hours and replacement life is more than 5 years.

Get the GPS version. We have McMurdo plb
Never had to use it but it should be sufficient for our out of sight of land sailing.

Expect the VHF DSC to do the business for us, but you never know

 

[benchmark]

I have the Mcmurdo fastfind 220. Coded with my MMSI number so it can transmit exactly like an EPIRB , it is affordable ,small enough to clip unto my lifevest, has a battery life of 6 yrs and will transmit for 24 hrs after activation.
If i am not forund after that time, i would have probably long died of the exposure.
As i am never more than 30 nautical miles from land in any direction i sail in the Baltic it is a bit of an overkill but nice to have anyway.

A few of my safety devices on the boat if anyone is interested.

https://youtu.be/rAR926gWxWE

 

[duncan99210]

So, basically, "regulations" set aside, and as far as "reaching a rescuing unit" is concerned, the main difference between a PLB and an EPIRB is battery life...

Not quite. An EPIRB is designed to float with the antenna above water, as well as having a 48 hour minimum battery life. A PLB has to be held so that the antenna is out of the water so it can transmit. Otherwise they have the same functionality.

 

[ip485]

Well, I put in a little legwork at the show yesterday and I concluded;

1. EPIRBs come in two types class 1 and 2. Class 1 are designed to release and activate automatically, class 2 require user interventions,
2. Battery life when activated varies, but I think must enable the beacon to operate for a minimium of 48 hours. Some extend this by another 12 hours or so,
3. Battery and beacon life also vary with many now offering ten years, but some as little as 6 years,
4. Battery replacement as I know can be very costly, but some provide an easy user replaceable battery pack,
5. McMurdo now produce and EPIRB which also transmit an AIS distress alert. I think they may be the only company on the market curently.

For anyone interested there are some good offers at the show. I ended up with an ACR Globalfix, because I liked the ten year battery life so I can forget about the beacon (other than the regular tests) for a long time to come. I was tempted by the McMurdo, but I also now have some personal AIS beacons and while I suspect the McMurdo may have a better transmit range than the personal AIS beacons I feel this is a reasonable compromise.

Thank you for those who contributed some helpful comments.

 

[richardh10]

Well, I put in a little legwork at the show yesterday and I concluded;

1. EPIRBs come in two types class 1 and 2. Class 1 are designed to release and activate automatically, class 2 require user interventions,
2. Battery life when activated varies, but I think must enable the beacon to operate for a minimium of 48 hours. Some extend this by another 12 hours or so,
3. Battery and beacon life also vary with many now offering ten years, but some as little as 6 years,
4. Battery replacement as I know can be very costly, but some provide an easy user replaceable battery pack,
5. McMurdo now produce and EPIRB which also transmit an AIS distress alert. I think they may be the only company on the market curently.

For anyone interested there are some good offers at the show. I ended up with an ACR Globalfix, because I liked the ten year battery life so I can forget about the beacon (other than the regular tests) for a long time to come. I was tempted by the McMurdo, but I also now have some personal AIS beacons and while I suspect the McMurdo may have a better transmit range than the personal AIS beacons I feel this is a reasonable compromise.

Thank you for those who contributed some helpful comments.

Thanks very much for all of that, as I am going tomorrow for that same reason. As a matter of interest, which ais beacons did you go for?

 

[ip485]

I also went for the ACR AIS personal beacons. I didnt think there was much between the makes, other than the shape which some might find easier for permanent life jacket attachment. I am going to use the PBs so that people can place them around their necks when on deck watch and the ACRs are very easy to activate. I am slightly disappointed having been through the packs that the ACRs contain no instruction at all (as I know is often the way these days) but easily downloaded from there web site of course. I have also found on one of them the aerial does not spring out without a little help and am glad a tested them. Doubtless they will replace it.

As ever do check the expiry date and make sure it is current stock as otherwise you are obvioulsy paying for some already expired life. My EPIRB for example was already three months time expired but that seems fair enough with a 10 year cycle given it comes from the States.

PS Some good freebies with ACR at Force4.