EPIRB

[Rum_Pirate]

My boat's EPIRB requires replacement.

I think a new one is in order rather than a battery replacement, as the battery in the existing one was to have been replaced in 08/2009.

For use in the Eastern Caribbean.

Any suggestions as to what make etc I should be looking at?

 

[Bilgediver]

The available choice in the Eastern Caribbean may not be the same as else where in the world.
ACR McMurdo Ocean Safety should be available in your area from West Marine and other sources.

You will have to register this equipment with your flag state in a similar way to this

https://www.dco.uscg.mil/Portals/9/DCO Documents/5p/CG-5PC/CG-CVC/CVC3/notice/alerts/Marine_Safety_Alert_EPIRB_Registration.pdf

West Marine EPIRBs | West Marine

 

[Rum_Pirate]

Purchase location is not an issue.

From the link you provided it seems that an optional GPS receiver is a good idea in that

The stationary satellites can receive all of the information transmitted by an EPIRB or PLB, but they are not capable of determining the position of the beacon unless the beacon has an optional GPS receiver (not all models carry this option).​

Normally, position identification is accomplished by the orbiting satellites.​

So, if a beacon is not equipped with the optional GPS, it could take up to 100 minutes for the orbiting satellites to identify the location of the beacon.​

The ACR ELECTRONICS GlobalFix™ V4 EPIRB Category II at $509.99 in West Marine seems a possibility.

The existing EPIRB is a GlobalFix™ not sure what model.

 

[Zing]

My boat's EPIRB requires replacement.

I think a new one is in order rather than a battery replacement, as the battery in the existing one was to have been replaced in 08/2009.

For use in the Eastern Caribbean.

Any suggestions as to what make etc I should be looking at?

I bought one from these people last yr. They will ship overseas VAT free, which will pay some of your transport costs. Pretty cheap too:
GME MT603G 406MHz Manual GPS EPIRB (Class 2) - Foriegn Programmed (MT603G-ROW)

 

[Graham376]

I'm surprised non-gps ones are still for sale. If you sail single handed, a PLB on life jacket is a better bet as you could wind up in the water with no-one to activate the on-board EPIRB. I doubt there's much difference between the makes, except maybe ease of use.

 

[William_H]

Around here carriage of a EPIRB is mandatory and EPIRB with GPS now almost universal. A large number of rescues (like seems once per week) facilitated by EPIRB. DSC type call is not popular for distress.
NB. PLB is not considered adequate by authorities (here) for EPIRB requirement I presume due to shorter battery life. But then PLB has advantage if you end up in the water. EPIRB should be mounted in such a place that it can be retrieved from the water in case of capsize or flooding. Or carry both. As said registration is vital. Gives confidence to rescuers that distress signal is genuine. ol'will

 

[Bilgediver]

I'm surprised non-gps ones are still for sale. If you sail single handed, a PLB on life jacket is a better bet as you could wind up in the water with no-one to activate the on-board EPIRB. I doubt there's much difference between the makes, except maybe ease of use.

I think if sailing single handed on longer passages there would be good reason to have both. The PLB is fine for MOB situations. however the float free EPIRB could have advantages in other situations. I always remember Tony Bullimore capsizing a long way south of Australia and the unusual way in which he convinced MRCC Falmouth that he was still alive! He switched the EPIRB off and back on regularly. It took a few days for the Australian warship to sail south to his location.