What is the current advice on MOB personal beacons?

[Kukri]

Am contemplating spending money on a set and don’t want to waste it.

Is there ever going to be one that does satellite plus AIS?

 

[sailingmartin]

Rather depends on what sort of sailing you do. If solo sailing then a PLB is the answer, as you won’t be able to activate your Epirb if you fall overboard. If you sail with lots of crew a long way offshore then a personal AIS beacon may be of more use, as the boat most likely to rescue you is your own!

 

[FWB]

Best advice is not fall overboard. ?

 

[bitbaltic]

Am contemplating spending money on a set and don’t want to waste it.

Is there ever going to be one that does satellite plus AIS?

Possibly!

PLB3

 

[bitbaltic]

And it’s 520 quid ?
Ocean Signal RescueMe PLB3 with AIS

 

[[70521]]

And it’s 520 quid ?
Ocean Signal RescueMe PLB3 with AIS

or just over 100 pints of beer in my local.

 

[Stemar]

or just over 100 pints of beer in my local.

OTOH, it may mean you're in a position to drink those 100 pints.

 

[[70521]]

OTOH, it may mean you're in a position to drink those 100 pints.

Well, not at the one session.

 

[bedouin]

In simple terms if you want your crew to come back and pick you up go for AIS, if you want the RNLI go for 406 PLB. In the Solent AIS is fine in mid channel I would place less confidence in it

As mentioned above there is now (about to be) a single combined unit but it is comparatively large and expensive and so may not be any better than separate items.

 

[dunedin]

And it’s 520 quid ?
Ocean Signal RescueMe PLB3 with AIS

At that price, I wonder if two separate devices might still be a better and more flexible option? I am certainly sticking with my mix of separate PLB and AIS devices for now.

 

[Adios]

At that price, I wonder if two separate devices might still be a better and more flexible option? I am certainly sticking with my mix of separate PLB and AIS devices for now.

Unless able to have 2 of the combined ones, one of each makes more sense. Can carry both when single handed and for 2 handed sailing, skipper have the PLB and inexperienced friend has the AIS with instruction to hove-to and activate it if skipper falls in. When prices and size comes down be great to have combined ones but they just made a casing for both so far. No size or price benefit over separates.

 

[Kukri]

I think I must put off falling overboard for another couple of years.

 

[westhinder]

I think I must put off falling overboard for another couple of years.

Now that’s a good New Year’s resolution. I think I’ll join you.

 

[Elessar]

Whatever you buy check the date on it. Mine had 4 1/2 years left as it had been in stock. I complained as they are sold as 5 years life and they ordered another which had nearly 7 years on it.
The advantage of buying from a real shop where you can go in and speak to them.

 

[john_morris_uk]

We’re in blue water sailing mode now so we lashed out and fitted AIS auto beacons and PLB’s to all our lifejackets. The down side is how much of the children’s inheritance we spent.

 

[Skellum]

We’re in blue water sailing mode now so we lashed out and fitted AIS auto beacons and PLB’s to all our lifejackets. The down side is how much of the children’s inheritance we spent.

And assuming that they do the job, how much longer they will have to wait for it!