Moodyjim
Well-Known Member
Anyone got any ideas on the best buy new generation EPIRB?
Jim
Jim
New EPIRBS
- Thread starter Moodyjim
- Start date
testmonkey
Well-Known Member
this new one - Ocean Signal RescueME, best PLB yet?
http://www.panbo.com/archives/2012/11/ocean_signal_rescueme_best_plb_yet.html?
http://www.panbo.com/archives/2012/11/ocean_signal_rescueme_best_plb_yet.html?
Bilgediver
Well-Known Member
The OP did ask about EPIRBS and the RescueMe is not one. It is a PLB.
Maybe the OP wants something which floats....which activates automatically
and which functions for more than 24 hours.
If the OP wants something for using in crowded waters then these satellite systems can be a waste of resources then one of the new AIS alarms might be suitable.
http://www.mcmurdo.co.uk/en/products/personal-ais-beacon
This activates MOB alarms on all vessels withing range.
prv
Well-Known Member
Errm, that's a little optimistic just yet.
Apart from all the boats that don't have plotters, or don't have AIS, or don't have them switched on because they're just local pottering (you did say "crowded waters") - there's also all the plotters that don't understand the special MOB MMSIs and message types. That must be by far the majority of the installed AIS systems out there, and they'll just draw you as a ship with no special handling or alerts. Last I heard, even the Coastguard's systems didn't know about AIS SART (though it's possible they've been updated since).
AIS SART to help the boat you fell off get back to you - great. But it's not there yet as a general distress system IMHO.
Pete
Bilgediver
Well-Known Member
That is why I said crowded waters.....
prv
Well-Known Member
?
To increase the likelihood that someone in range can receive AIS SART signals properly?
Far from "all vessels withing range".
Pete
Bilgediver
Well-Known Member
This makes interesting reading....Yes they are still working on maximising the use of these devices which use the existing SMS facility in AIS however it seems many existing AIS do respond to these and issue an alarm .
http://www.panbo.com/archives/2012/06/ais_mob_devices_were_in_the_learning_phase.html
prv
Well-Known Member
That's not how I read that article.
For instance, the US Coastguard "saw nothing that suggested to them that the R10's transmission was in fact a distress signal".
"Almost no AIS plotting device I tried on Gizmo today treated the EasyRescue SART very well"
"I tried two charting programs [...] and while both showed the target, even with the correct icon in Nobeltec's case, neither treated it differently than any other AIS target and neither showed the SRM text. The same was true of the Garmin 7212"
And this is all with new, current plotters (Gizmo is the Panbo testbed boat so while I don't know exactly what he has on there it will all be pretty new) - the majority of AIS displays actually out there at sea will be much older.
Yes, the target will show up on almost any system, because (as the article says) it uses the same message type as ship movements as well as the special SART message. So if you know you've lost someone overboard it doesn't really matter whether your plotter knows about AIS SART - you can just steer to the "ship" that's suddenly appeared behind you. But other boats are very unlikely to have their attention drawn to it for a good few years yet.
Pete
st599
Well-Known Member
He should use OpenCPN - that handles AIS SARTs correctly.
richardbrennan
Well-Known Member
I bought an Ocean Signal EPIRB at the start of the season and then proceeded to break of the safety flap and drop it! I returned it to Ocean Signal via the retailer and they replaced the flap and checked out the operation without charge so I can testify that the service from the company is first rate. My one comment is the procedure for self check of the GPS is complex and really needs two people, one to do the actual check and one to read the procedure and help monitor the various flashing LEDs. I am told it is deliberately this way to discourage casual use as it is heavy on battery power.
Bilgediver
Well-Known Member
It was comments like PRV's I was hoping to draw....How else can we get systems upgraded unless deficiencies are pointed out.
The big ships have systems which do display these messages correctly so we just have to get the software developers to take note of the requirements of AIS and deal with all its facilities rather than picking and choosing.
This message handling has been part of the system from day 1 however it seems it is ignored in some of the leisure equipment.
SailorBill
Well-Known Member
ribrage
Well-Known Member
Stick with a standard float free EPIRB if I were you, the information is read by the correct people (MRCC) who in turn alert the correct people ( RNLI or similar) and not some ( well meaning) person in a rib with a big screen chart plotter out for a blat on the weekend with his drunken mates.
I recently replaced mine with a mcmurdo unit same as the last one although five years out of date it still flashed up and tested as ok , I only bought new as I know the cost of service is expensive.
prv
Well-Known Member
Agree! Bilgediver's whole AIS sideshow has been a bit of a distraction - ironic when his first words were "The OP did ask about EPIRBS"
The question was "which is the best EPIRB" and so far only one person has suggested one!
Unfortunately I can't really help as I decided a PLB was the right compromise of cost and effectiveness for me, so didn't look at EPIRBs.
Pete
William_H
Well-Known Member
PLB or EPIRB
As I understand it they are essentially the same sort of device. The PLB is smaller to be carried on a person so has a much more limited operating life. It may not include a GPS but should have a 121.5mhz locator beacon built in.
EPIRB being larger has a bigger battery and may or may not contain a built in GPS receiver. I think I would go for the type with built in GPS although some others can have a GPS signal fed in. Feed it in before you abandon ship. (obviously external wiring and fault potential) They also carry the 121.5 locator beacon which is necessary if you don't transmit GPS location. Even if you do it helps home in on you.
No question around here EPIRB is the only way to go. In fact it is mandatory to carry one for any off shore voyage. They have already saved many lives.
I don't know that I would go for auto turn on in water. You should be able to activate it yourself. Unless in a tiny boat susceptible to sudden capsize or swamping. In one recent rescue the crew had to dive under the capsized boat to pull out the EPIRB which then saved them. Would seem to recommend PLB.
Ease of battery replacement would be high on my list of questions I would ask. I used to be involved with aircraft ELT and one model had 8 D cells fitted. These were changed at 12 month intervals but so easy and cheap to do so compared to expensive lithium cells. But I guess theya re all lithium these days with 5 yr change period. good luck olewill
As I understand it they are essentially the same sort of device. The PLB is smaller to be carried on a person so has a much more limited operating life. It may not include a GPS but should have a 121.5mhz locator beacon built in.
EPIRB being larger has a bigger battery and may or may not contain a built in GPS receiver. I think I would go for the type with built in GPS although some others can have a GPS signal fed in. Feed it in before you abandon ship. (obviously external wiring and fault potential) They also carry the 121.5 locator beacon which is necessary if you don't transmit GPS location. Even if you do it helps home in on you.
No question around here EPIRB is the only way to go. In fact it is mandatory to carry one for any off shore voyage. They have already saved many lives.
I don't know that I would go for auto turn on in water. You should be able to activate it yourself. Unless in a tiny boat susceptible to sudden capsize or swamping. In one recent rescue the crew had to dive under the capsized boat to pull out the EPIRB which then saved them. Would seem to recommend PLB.
Ease of battery replacement would be high on my list of questions I would ask. I used to be involved with aircraft ELT and one model had 8 D cells fitted. These were changed at 12 month intervals but so easy and cheap to do so compared to expensive lithium cells. But I guess theya re all lithium these days with 5 yr change period. good luck olewill
VicMallows
Well-Known Member
The thought of a PLB with 8 D-cells amused me
. A very valid point though. McMurdo told me you COULD replace the battery in their 220 PLB yourself, but of course they do not 'recommend' it 
st599
Well-Known Member
I'm hoping a combined PLB and AIS SART is on someone's drawing board.
ccscott49
Well-Known Member
The thought of a PLB with 8 D-cells amused me
the 8 d cells were in an aircraft ELT, if you read it again. Which is a big unit.
The PLB's we have on our oilfield lifejackets, have radio operator replaceable batteries. Well anybody could replace them, but on this rig, it's the radio ops, job.
Why cant we have user replaceable batteries for oyur EPIRB's? I know the old "we check them properly" argument.
prv
Well-Known Member
You can - several models have replaceable batteries including the Ocean Safety one mentioned near the top of the thread.
(Not standard batteries like your D cells though.)
Pete
