Marine Safety Equipment - EPIRB

Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB)

The Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) is a very effective alerting and locating device.

EPIRBs - Safety Via Satellite

An EPIRB is a compact, buoyant, self-contained radio transmitter which, when activated, continuously emits a distinctive radio signal for a minimum of 48 hours.

The signal from an activated EPIRB is detected by a network of earth-orbiting satellites and can also be detected by overflying aircraft. As well as reliably alerting rescue authorities to the existence of a vessel in distress, an EPIRB also enables the position of the vessel to be determined to within a few kilometres.

If a rescue boat or plane can be seen or heard the use of a flare is advised. This results in a much faster rescue and reduces the number and flying time of search aircraft.

All recreational boats venturing more than

• 5 nautical miles from shore in Gulf of St Vincent or Spencer Gulf or
• 3 nautical miles from shore in other State waters, except Lakes Alexandrina or Albert are required to carry an approved EPIRB.

In a marine emergency, time is often a critical factor. The quicker an alarm is raised, the search area identified and a rescue co-ordinated, the more likely it is that those in distress will be safely rescued.

You should activate your EPIRB only if you are in life-threatening distress and only after all other means of indicating distress (eg flares, radio, mobile phone, etc.) have been attempted.

You should keep flares available to aid searching boats/aircraft after the EPIRB is activated.

Which type to buy

The recommended choice for the private boat owner who goes offshore is a 121.5/243 MHz satellite compatible EPIRB.

For long-range craft and larger vessels, whether private or commercial, a more sophisticated 406 MHz EPIRB is recommended.

Some older EPIRBs (those manufactured before 1990) are not satellite compatible and can be reliably detected only by overflying aircraft.

Approved, satellite-compatible EPIRBs meet Ministerial Standard 241 for 121.5/243 MHz EPIRBs, or Ministerial Standard 309 for 406 MHz EPIRBs.

How the system works

Once activated, an EPIRB transmits a radio distress signal on the international aviation distress frequency of 121.5MHz or 406MHz.

These radio frequencies are detected by international search and rescue COSPAS/SARSAT satellites which relay the distress signal to satellite receiving stations in Albany, Bundaberg and Wellington, New Zealand. Computers then analyse the EPIRB’s signal and calculate its position. An EPIRB location can generally be calculated to within a radius of about 20km for a 121.5MHz beacon and about 5km for a 406MHz beacon.

The information is then automatically relayed by landline to Australia’s Rescue Coordination Centre (RCC), part of the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA), in Canberra. After further computerised verification checks are performed the details of the EPIRB’s position are passed to the SA Police who co-ordinate a search and rescue operation using specially equipped aircraft and/or rescue boats.

AUSSAR’s 24 hour maritime emergency contact phone number is 1800 641 792.