Taking a PLB abroad.

[KAM]

Anyone had any experience with getting a PLB to another country. Preferably on a plane otherwise post.

 

[Frayed Knot]

No experience but as a total guess: if the battery can be removed & carried separately I doubt there would be a problem.

 

[prv]

I haven't, but I wouldn't expect any difficulty. It's no different to any other device with a small built-in lithium battery and a couple of radios. Like a phone, or a tablet, or a portable games console, or any of the other millions of pieces of personal electronics carried through airports every day.

Pete

 

[prv]

if the battery can be removed & carried separately

They can't on any modern PLB, because the extra case and compartment structure make removables more bulky than built-in, as well as harder to waterproof.

Exactly like phones, tablets, portable games consoles...

Pete

 

[KAM]

Was looking for someone who's actually done it. Carriage of dangerous good regs generally require the batteries to be installed in the device they are intended for.

 

[Roberto]

I have brought mine by plane to the US (+ a couple of US internal flights), and a few times in intra-EU flights. Sorry cannot remember if it kept it in my hand luggage or put in the registered luggage.
I may have risked of being arrested (?) but no one said anything. It is very tiny though, like a match box (Ocean Signal-something PLB);
Once I brought a sextant as hand luggage, that made the security people very curious they all came to see it, with lots of ooooh aaaah.

 

[KAM]

I'll maybe take my sextant as a decoy then.

 

[Tomaret]

I’ve taken mine to Gran Canaria and to and from Antigua in my carry on bag, mainly to stop it being nicked. Didn’t cause any comment at Airport Security on any trip.

 

[duncan99210]

PLBs are much the same as life jackets. IATA rules say you can carry them but some airlines and air port security people have either been given different instructions or follow a different policy. Best thing is to check with your airline, make sure their policies allow the carriage and print out the email(s) agreeing that you can carry the kit. Be prepared to wave the printouts under the noses of the security people.
Yes, sextant cause no end of interest. It was fun leaving Barbados, where there was a shared language for the impromptu lesson on celestrial navigation. More difficult was explaining it in Preveza on the way back to UK, where there was a massive language barrier. Thankfully, a policeman appeared who knew what it was and explained to the searchers that it was harmless and let us carry it onto the aircraft.

 

[Iliade]

I have carried mine all over the place. Had to explain what it was to security a few times and more than once suggested that they really shouldn't switch it on to see what happens ;0)

Aerosafe suggest that strictly speaking some of the earlier ones, like my Kannads, shouldn't be in hold luggage but I always carry them in my hand luggage anyway. With some of the airlines I have used you never knew when it might come in handy!

 

[dunedin]

My PLB has flown with me as hand luggage around Europe and transatlantic. No problems so far.
I do tend to put in separate bag and tray any other innocent stuff (batteries, wires etc( that could, when combined on an image, look jointly suspicious. PLB on own in bag with just fleeced etc. No idea if helps but minimises risk.

 

[[70521]]

Drop the manufacturer an email they will know the regulations and standards that the device was built to.

 

[Skylark]

I’ve carried a PLB aboard commercial aircraft within Europe and the Caribbean within the last 12 months. I emailed the carriers in advance, just in case, but had no issues as checked baggage.

 

[Buck Turgidson]

PLB is fine for air travel. Preferably carry on but you could carry it in checked luggage so long as it's turned off ;-)

Not exceeding 2.7 Wh in checked baggage if it's installed in the equipment.
Any spare (not this case) must be in carry on, up to 100Wh no limit to number., 101 to 160Wh max 2 per pax FAA rule but EASA (EU) airlines may have individual limits and you should get prior approval for over 100. over 160Wh no allowed.

(hate bringing work home)

 

[Mikedefieslife]

I carried my EPIRB abroad. No problem. I explained what it was at security at the airport, they, checked it and were happy. Easy does it.

 

[prv]

PLB is fine for air travel. Preferably carry on but you could carry it in checked luggage so long as it's turned off ;-)

Not exceeding 2.7 Wh in checked baggage if it's installed in the equipment.
Any spare (not this case) must be in carry on, up to 100Wh no limit to number.

Some googling suggests that my Fastfind 220, a common model, has a 1.5Ah battery at 6v, so 9 Wh.

Required to be in hand baggage, then?

Pete