Time’s Running Out For 121.5 Mhz EPIRBs

Winter’s approaching and boating activities usually diminish during the colder months especially in the southern states. Many boat owners use the extra time to do repairs and upgrade equipment.

Although not usually at the top of our priorities we know we should check our safety equipment as the use by dates for some items always come around sooner than anticipated.

This year it will also be time to upgrade your EPIRB if you still have one of the old 121.5 Mhz types. From 1st February 2009, alerts from these beacons will no longer be received by the Cosaps-Sarsat satelite system. Aircraft that are fitted with 121.5 Mhz receivers will still pick up the signal if they are in the vicinity and have the receiver turned on.

EPIRBs (Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons) are compulsory safety equipment in all states when outside sheltered waters, though the actual requirements vary from state to state. The 121.5 Mhz EPIRB was, until recent years, significantly cheaper than the more sophisticated 406 Mhz type so naturally was the most popular. I would venture that quite a lot of people will need to upgrade.

The 406 Mhz EPIRB does offer much enhanced emergency location features.

• A 406MHz EPIRB locates your position to within 5 kms as opposed to 20 kms using a 121.5 MHZ beacon.

• The 406MHz beacon is coded with your name, boat and contact details which helps searchers know what type of craft they are searching for.

• The alert time for 406s is usually seconds as opposed to hours for a 121.5 MHz beacon.

• False alarms have been a major problem with 121.5 MHz beacons with an estimated 97 in 100 alerts due to faulty beacons, accidental or malicious activation or other spurious causes. The digital 406MHZ is much less prone to some of these causes and in the event of an alert the rescue authorities have the owners contact details to rule out false alerts and also get possible vital information about a genuine alert.

• 406MHz beacons can also be purchased with extra features like automatic operation and built in GPS receiver to pinpoint the EPIRB’s position.

Australian residents owning a 406MHz Epirb must register their EPIRB with the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA). They have the details and relevant forms on their website. Non residents of Australia have to register in their country of residence.

As ever, you should check carefully that any EPIRB you purchase conforms to Australian standards and is coded with the Australian country ID otherwise it may be difficult or impossible to register. Non residents purchasing an EPIRB in Australia should likewise check it is registerable in their country of residence.

PLBs or personal location devices are not accepted by AMSA as EPIRBs and should only be used as an additional safeguard. EPIRBs are designed to float with the antenna upright and give 48 hours of operation, PLBs may float but are not required to float upright and need only give 24 hours operation. However PLBs must still be registered with AMSA.

When you sell your EPIRB or change any of the registered details, AMSA must be informed of the changes. If you buy a boat with a 406Mhz beacon onboard you need to ensure your details are registered with AMSA.