Which EPIRB

[sighmoon]

I was going to buy a pack of flares, but a recent well publicised event has put me off. I know the problem was only one batch from one manufacturer, but to me, it really brings home the fact that holding a detonating explosive in my hand is not something to do willingly.

So I'm thinking, I may get an EPIRB instead. Sure Dee and Ellen wouldn't have loooked quite so cool holding a flashing EPIRB in each hand as they did with a couple of smoking flares, but when used in earnest, it's better right?

I would have thought an EPIRB is more likely (certain?) to be detected, whereas with a flare, you have to hope someone is looking in your direction.

There's the cost, but unlike flares, there's no expiry date, so over the long term, it's no more expensive right?

In terms of which one to get, I know it needs to be 406 MHz, but is GPS really going to make a difference, or can the coastguard, etc, work out your position with a radio direction finder?

Where's a good place to get a good one cheaply?

 

[stevebrassett]

Firstly, other boats won't see an Epirb, but they may see flares.

Secondly, the battery will need replacing regularly, and I believe they ain't cheap.

I would see an Epirb as an extra safety device, rather than a replacement for flares.

 

[snowleopard]

Second the comment about batteries. Ask the price of a replacement before you buy- I just found out that mine will cost £220 to replace and I could buy a new one (different make) for around £245.

 

[kengill]

Buy the flares!!

They work after your crew has sat on them!!

Great for starting bonfires too

 

[Talbot]

even with an epirb, this will only bring the rescue services in to the vicinity. If there are a lot of boats about, a smoke (day) or hand held flare (night) enables the rescue people to find you quickly.

 

[sighmoon]

Thanks all.

Do you all have both flares and epirb?

 

[Oldhand]

Yes we have both, they serve different purposes and I would never go to sea without flares.

 

[ChrisE]

Depends a bit on where you are planning to go. There are recent instances of peeps in the Irish Sea who spent 7(?) days in a liferaft that could have been foreshortened via an EPIRB. OTOH, if you are coastal cruising or Xchannel then the chances are flares are your best bet.

FWIW, we carry two 406 GPS EPIRBs and a whole stack of flares but then we tend to spend our time off the beaten track.

 

[boomerangben]

It all depends on where you are sailing and how much you want to spend. But here is something to ponder. North Sea helicopter pilots wear a life jacket that has an epirb in one pocket and a day/night flare in the other. In my view a far better solution than having a bucket of flares in a cockpit locker and an epirb on the rail should you become a MOB.

An epirb without a gps signal takes time to pin point by the CG before they can send SAR assets - valuable time if you are in the water. One with a GPS signal gets things moving much more quickly and to a point with better resolution. Bear in mind that if you are in the water (no life raft/ MOB) you are very small target in a very big sea - not at all easy to see.

 

[Talbot]

Flares now (and even in date!)

EPIRB on the "when funding permits" list.

 

[steverow]

No, you must have flares, I wouldnt even comptemplate putting to sea without them.
You would have to be well off the beaten track for them not to be useful.
A red parachute can be seen from a great distance even during the day, and much further at night.
Instead of the epirb, as another option you may like to consider a satellite phone..
which would be a quicker way of summoning assistance as epirbs can take a few hours.
The EPIRB's value however lies in the fact that if your particular mishap is immediate and devastating with no time to use a radio or satphone, then at least the epirb will function. You should also prepare a waterprpoof grab bag for emergencies and consider putting a spare handheld VHF and handheld GPS in there as well as all the other essentials to sustain life for a day or so in your liferaft.
Whichever way you go flares are an essential.

Steve.

 

[jonjo]

[ QUOTE ]
North Sea helicopter pilots wear a life jacket that has an epirb in one pocket and a day/night flare in the other....

An epirb without a gps signal takes time to pin point by the CG before they can send SAR assets - valuable time if you are in the water. One with a GPS signal gets things moving much more quickly and to a point with better resolution.

[/ QUOTE ]
As an occasional English Channel single hander I have thought about a personal EPIRB but I have my doubts that the SAR operation would kick into gear quickly enough to pluck a single hander out of the sea before fatal hypothermia set in.

Does anyone know how quickly rescue services would get to a new GPS assisted EPIRB alert located 20 miles south of the IOW?

 

[sighmoon]

Ok, flares for now then, EPIRB on the birthday wish list.

Thanks all

 

[T_S]

[ QUOTE ]
Does anyone know how quickly rescue services would get to a new GPS assisted EPIRB alert located 20 miles south of the IOW?


[/ QUOTE ]

Haven't a clue..........worse still what about 20 miles off the German Coast then?

 

[Ifraser]

Doing cross channel deliveries I've considered the question of how quick would be rescue versus survival times hence my sailing bag is quite big. I carry a personal GPS epirb which, I think should see me rescued in under 2 hours ( hopefully less than one hour in the channel ) Can I survive in boating togs for 2 hours in mid winter??....no, which is why I carry a divers style thinsulate suit and a survival suit. This should increase my survival time to at least 6-8 hours. If I'm not rescued in that time my epirb didn't work, or my radio, or my flares!! I'm no expert but I am a sea survival instructor which is what made me think hard all about it. Its a big bag to carry ( even when you vacuum pack the clothing ) containing about £1000 worth of equipment but what price my life?? Also don't forget a spray hood as wave splash can kill in minutes and shouldn't be underestimated. Of course all the above assumes I've got time to put it on. The worst risk on a sailing boat is going overboard so clip on. I would highly recomend a sea survival course to anyone who hasn't done one...you may think I'm trying to sell but my teaching is for an organisation that doesn't sell outside its own so I have no financial gain to make. I have seen the effects of ignoring some or all of the above...getting back to the original question I don't think epirbs replace flares but compliment them....Iain

 

[boomerangben]

How long? I am not sure how long it takes to process an epirb hit, ie the time from the signal being switched on to the scramble alarm going off at the helicopter base/RNLI pagers going off. I have seen it written that it can take upto 90 mins without GPS, much less with a GPS. So 20nm south of IOW (say 35nm from Lee on Solent), you would probably see the helicopter around 20 to 30 mins from the bell going off, which could be 2 hours from the EPIRB going off. How quickly the aircraft sees you once on scene will depend on how easy you are to see, hence the desirability of flares.

 

[Benbow]

Another scenario which we must have all heard enacted over the VHF.

Someone on board has heart attack or other medical emergency. Call CG and pass your position. Helicopter appears overhead, and calls you up, saying we are in the position you gave which one of the dozen white boats with white sails are you ? Red smoke removes all doubt immediately (and provides a wind direction).

 

[Dave99]

McMurdo have brought out a new range whcih is quite affordable (Smartfind which is similar to the Precision range but about
£600 pounds lesss- Manual without GPS - £375 rrp

 

[Talbot]

Stilll going to be significantly more (abt 15%) than the GME equivalent!

 

[Dave99]

Mc murdo PLB £307, Smartfind - £375, GME MT400 - £352

not alot in it so may be worth looking at battery replacement costs.