EPIRB

[Graham_Wright]

I normally sail with SWMBO. Assuming we don't overboard together (unintentionally) whoever is left on board is charged with doing the necessary.
However, this year I am planning a trip from Cardiff to Glasgow alone. It would seem prudent to carry an EPIRB BUT. I can't justify ~£400 just for a few weeks.
Hiring seems to be an option.
Recommendations please.

 

[westernman]

I normally sail with SWMBO. Assuming we don't overboard together (unintentionally) whoever is left on board is charged with doing the necessary.
However, this year I am planning a trip from Cardiff to Glasgow alone. It would seem prudent to carry an EPIRB BUT. I can't justify ~£400 just for a few weeks.
Hiring seems to be an option.
Recommendations please.

A PLB would be better for the purpose.

For instance
https://www.marinesuperstore.com/safety-beacons/plb-ais/mcmurdo-fastfind-220-gps-plb

You can hire an EPIRB here:-
EPIRB HIRE EMERGENCY BEACONS - Adec Marine

I don't know if you can hire a PLB.
It says here you can rent one from 4 quid a day.

UPGRADED: McMurdo FastFind 220 Personal Locator Beacon

 

[Boathook]

I would get a plb for your lifejacket and just make sure you wear it all the time.

 

[dunedin]

I would get a plb for your lifejacket and just make sure you wear it all the time.

I would agree that a PLB is much better option than a full EPIRB for that trip.
If buying new consider whether to get the new style combined PLB and MOB AIS devices. I have the old MOB AIS in the lifejackets but usually carry PLB in pocket. The combined one makes more sense but only IF it is not too big to fit inside your lifejacket.

 

[Buck Turgidson]

I hate to be the purveyor of doom but they all serve the same purpose if you go overboard off shore. Much better to invest your coin in methods of preventing leaving the boat unexpectedly.

 

[jtfield]

I believe the newer iPhones have built in satellite comms which might be a budget alternative to a PLB?

 

[requiem]

I'm not really sure what you might hope to accomplish with an EPIRB in a solo MOB situation. That said, I'd want an EPIRB in general, even when sailing with others. Perhaps especially when sailing with others. (It's better suited for "the boat is sinking" or "we have a medical issue" type of situation.)

A PLB (carried on you), as others mentioned, is more practical. iPhones may have satellite comms, but the touchscreens don't work so well with water washing over them.

 

[Mark-1]

Ignoring the issue of whether it's the right solution or not, EPIRPS can be hired:
EPIRB Hire Enquiry Form - Suffolk Marine Safety

When I was mostly single handed I (tried to) carry mobile phone and VHF all the time. I didn't bother with a PLB because in a MOB while single handed situation two way comms is essential IMHO. (If it wasn't a PLB alone would be the perfect solution IMHO.)

 

[RunAgroundHard]

In the OPs shoes I would hire a EPIRB. The main reason is that the risk of MOB is low when singlehanded because we take greater care. It is very likely the OP will remain clipped on a secure. If the OP fell overboard, the water temperature is around 12C at them moment (measured this weekend, a bit northwards of the planned trip). Survival time is less and thus the probability of a successful rescue is very small i.e. you go overboard, you die.

The advantage of a EPIRB in an emergency is it can be activated and then discarded, either overboard, or edged in a corner, no need to do anymore. The OP can therefore get on with doing whatever is required to improve survival: launch life raft, dinghy, fight fire. drop the hook on a lee shore. If you can hire an EPIRB with a hydrostatic release, even better. PLBs do require to be held to optimise antenna operation.

Falling overboard is not the highest risk you will face. However, on a well found boat, all Mayday type risks have a vanishingly small probability. I wouldn't fret about it PLB, EPIRB.

 

[Mark-1]

The advantage of a EPIRB in an emergency is it can be activated and then discarded, either overboard, or edged in a corner, no need to do anymore. The OP can therefore get on with doing whatever is required to improve survival

Really good point that I hadn't considered. A PLB is for emergencies where you have both hands free and nothing else to do. Such emergencies might not be common.

 

[boomerangben]

If you’ve got a DSC vhf then I think you don’t need an EPIRB for that trip as you’re likely to have vhf comms with the beach most of the way and plenty of other vessels for a relay if not.

I’d always recommend a PLB. It serves both as a MOB locator and a mini EPIRB should you need it whilst on board. In those waters I’d expect to get rescued pretty quick as you are never very far from a SAR helicopter (St Athan, Waterford, Dublin, Caernarfon, Carlisle, Prestwick)

 

[ylop]

Really good point that I hadn't considered. A PLB is for emergencies where you have both hands free and nothing else to do. Such emergencies might not be common.

It is a good point but it doesn’t seem beyond the wit on man to make a holder for a PLB that keeps it pointing the right way up for the situations where you will be on a boat that is still upright etc!

 

[Mark-1]

It is a good point but it doesn’t seem beyond the wit on man to make a holder for a PLB that keeps it pointing the right way up for the situations where you will be on a boat that is still upright etc!

I think I'm going to patent a PLB with a loop on top of the antenna, hung from the boom.

 

[ylop]

If you’ve got a DSC vhf then I think you don’t need an EPIRB for that trip as you’re likely to have vhf comms with the beach most of the way and plenty of other vessels for a relay if not.

This was my gut feel. Chance of being out of DSC range of CG low. Chance of being out of 999 coverage low. Chance of both - very low. Perhaps the OP sails in tougher conditions than me, or hasn’t got roller furling headsail and single line reefing so expects to be in vulnerable position a lot. But in that case I’d both want PLBs!

 

[dunedin]

Really good point that I hadn't considered. A PLB is for emergencies where you have both hands free and nothing else to do. Such emergencies might not be common.

There are some recorded instances where having PLB in pockets saved lives that EPIRB did not. For example when Rambler 100 lost its swing keel and capsized off the Fastnet rock, the EPIRB did not activate. The crew managed to get out and onto the hull but nobody was aware of the disaster.
Fortunately a couple of the large crew had personal PLBs in their pockets at the time, and these alerted the rescue services who came to the rescue.
So it is not always the case the EPIRB is better than PLB- te main advantage is longer battery life activated, for ocean crossing, but if not rescued within 24 hours on a coastal UK trip then have other problems.

 

[Graham_Wright]

Thanks all.
I really hadn't thought it through.
I am most concerned with MOB alone. If I had an EPIRB, it would probably be attached to the boat. A fat lot of use if I am in the water!
PLB it shall be.

 

[oldmanofthehills]

EPRIBs link to different satellite channels compared to PLB and get picked up by system faster.

EPRIB once thrown in water drifts the same as your dinghy or liferaft so rescue services can find you after ship sinks. If ship not sinking then DSC radio is your go to

I carry PLB in my jacket if out of cockpit when crew below. Yes I know survival is as little as 1 hour immersed in UK waters but PLB might be enough to increase chance of survival. In poor weather I am always clipped on when out of cockpit, in bad weather I clip on also in cockpit. Biggest risk is getting knocked over the side while tied on but being unable to get back on board

Using a mobile phone while dangling is impossible

 

[ylop]

EPRIBs link to different satellite channels compared to PLB and get picked up by system faster.

Have you got a source for that?

EPRIB once thrown in water drifts the same as your dinghy or liferaft so rescue services can find you after ship sinks. If ship not sinking then DSC radio is your go to

It surely can't be both? Liferaft usually has a drogue, dinghy does not. If you were entering dinghy or l/raft you might be better putting your epirb in there too.

 

[Bilgediver]

I normally sail with SWMBO. Assuming we don't overboard together (unintentionally) whoever is left on board is charged with doing the necessary.
However, this year I am planning a trip from Cardiff to Glasgow alone. It would seem prudent to carry an EPIRB BUT. I can't justify ~£400 just for a few weeks.
Hiring seems to be an option.
Recommendations please.

Does the hired epirb come linked to an account with YOUR. details recorded. Ie YOUR emergency contact details and your boat details. If not then beware as a damp squid could be more effective and there could be delays in responce ..

All 406. Devices such as epirbs and plb's. must be registered with the owners details. There may be delays in the event an unregistered or incorrectly registered device is activated.

Do you have a GMDSS radio. ThIs should be programed with your MMSI . The digital signals transmitted by these radios can have a greater range than voice.

 

[Graham_Wright]

Does the hired epirb come linked to an account with YOUR. details recorded. Ie YOUR emergency contact details and your boat details. If not then beware as a damp squid could be more effective and there could be delays in responce ..

All 406. Devices such as epirbs and plb's. must be registered with the owners details. There may be delays in the event an unregistered or incorrectly registered device is activated.

She'll find out eventually what I was worth.

Do you have a GMDSS radio. ThIs should be programed with your MMSI . The digital signals transmitted by these radios can have a greater range than voice.

Not much use if I am in the water.
I am confident I can summon help if I am still on board but I am paranoid about going over the side when sailing alone.