South Australia

EPIRBs

An EPIRB is a small, self contained, battery-operated radio transmitter which is both watertight and buoyant. It's purpose is to assist authorities to locate survivors during search and rescue operations.

Once activated, an EPIRB transmits a distinctive signal which can be detected and located by aircraft and satellites.

An EPIRB should not be regarded as a means of making an initial distress call. It should be carried as a supplement to an approved marine radio transceiver, not as a replacement.

Only approved EPIRBs should be carried.

Remember to check the batteries expiry date and test switch regularly. 

Important changes to the Cospas-Sarsat satellite system

If you own a distress beacon - which may also be called an EPIRB (Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon) - or are planning to purchase one, you should know that from 2009 only one type will be detected by the Cospas-Sarsat satellite system. That is the digital 406 MHz distress beacon.

Digital 406 MHz distress beacons are more accurate, are detected more quickly and identify their owner. The sooner you make the switch to 406, the sooner you'll be safer.

Analogue 121.5 MHz distress beacons will no longer be detected from February 2009

Digital 406 MHz distress beacons are detected faster and more accurately than analogue 121.5 MHz beacons

Digital 406 MHz distress beacons are smarter and safer

see also Quin Marine's excellent technical page.                               

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