With the advent of the personal locator beacons (PLBs) and personal AIS units, rescue operations at sea are now much easier to perform. We take a look at the best PLBs and AIS on the market and explain the difference between themThis article was originally published in November 2021, it was price checked and updated on 14 Feb 2023
\nNot so long ago simply locating a crew member who had fallen overboard in anything other than the most benign of conditions was a massive challenge, but thanks to personal locator beacons (PLBs) and personal AIS units this has fundamentally changed.
\nPersonal Locator Beacons (PLBs) are small devices, typically fitted on a lifejacket, that send a distress message, including GPS position, via satellite to a coastguard operations centre. They work in a similar manner to EPIRBs, but require manual activation and have a shorter operational battery life (usually 24 hours). The beacons location\/signal can\u2019t be seen onboard the boat you fell off though. You\u2019ll need an AIS for that. If you accidentally trigger a PLB, you should notify the coastguard straight away to cancel the distress alert.
\nThe personal AIS beacon works using a local radio signal which can be picked up on your chartplotter if it is able to receive AIS signals and on your DSC radio. The typical range for an AIS unit is between 2 to4 miles. These don\u2019t notify the rescue services via satellite, but instead present as a small red circle with a cross target on your chartplotter to help you locate your casualty. If you accidentally trigger an AIS unit, then simply close off the aerial and deactivate the unit and transmit an all ships VHF message cancelling the AIS alert if you are within short range of any other vessels.
\nIn many situations, personal AIS will be a better bet than a personal locator beacon that only transmits a position to a remote location ashore. Some personal AIS units can also be set to activate automatically when a lifejacket inflates. It\u2019s important to understand the fundamental differences between the two types of device.
\nThe best personal locator beacons available right now
\nN.B. Make sure to check each product is registered for your location before buying.
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Ocean Signal PLB3
\nThe Ocean Signal PLB3 won a DAME award at METS trade in Amsterdam 2022.
\nWhat\u2019s so special about this PLB?
\nWell,\u00a0 it\u2019s the first combined unit that has BOTH 406MHz and AIS radio transmission signals.
\nEssentially they\u2019ve combined the PLB 1 and the MOB 1 and have this resultant big stick of both.
\nAs you can see, the unit is considerably larger than any of the current personal locator beacons or ais units,\u00a0 but it\u2019s also no larger than having one of each of the smallest units available from the same manufacturer.
\nIt can be set to auto activate with lifejacket inflation with an arming plate that pops off, and after hands-on testing we can confirm that this does fit into the majority of lifejackets.
\nPrice: \u00a3509
\nBuy from Amazon.co.uk<\/p>\n
ACR ResQLink View
\nAlso see our head to head comparison review of the current ReturnLink Service enabled Personal locator Beacons available from ACR and McMurdo
\nThis personal locator beacon, unusually, incorporates a small LCD screen which fundamentally improves the user experience. The return link service pings back a confirmation that your
\nThe PLB425 is supplied with fittings to attach to a lifejacket or to a belt, or around your arm. The estimated battery life is five years.
\nRRP: \u00a3317
\nBuy from: Global Telesat Communications UK
\nBuy from: Global Telesat Communications ROW
\nBuy from: Amazon.com
\nBuy from: West Marine
\nACR ResQLink 400
\nAlternatively, the ACR ResQLink lower-cost PLB400 without the screen or RLS is available.
\nRRP: \u00a3276 \/ $299
\nBuy it now on Amazon<\/p>\n
Note: We may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site, at no extra cost to you. This doesn\u2019t affect our editorial independence.<\/p>\n
Fastfind ReturnLink Personal Locator Beacon with RLS
\nThe FastFind is a reassuringly sturdy unit. It feels like a quality bit of kit in the hand, the rubberised sections make it easy to grip. It comes with a wide array of alternative fitment options to fasten this to your life jacket or onto a belt or harness, plus it comes with a neoprene belt pouch.
\nYou can read our head to head comparison review here
\nPrice: \u00a3318
\nBuy from: Global Telesat Communications<\/p>\n
Ocean Signal RescueMe personal locator beacon
\nThis compact product is designed for easy single-handed operation. It\u2019s supplied with fittings for attachment of the personal locator beacon to a belt or to a lifejacket.
\nThe estimated battery life is seven years.
\nRRP: \u00a3261\/ $329.99
\nBuy it now on Amazon
\nBuy it now on eBay
\nBut it now from West Marine<\/p>\n
McMurdo FastFind Ranger PLB
\nThe McMurdo FastFind Ranger Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) is a rugged and waterproof GPS-enabled 406 MHz rescue beacon, though it doesn\u2019t float, so make sure it\u2019s tethered on.
\nThe Fast Find Ranger is subscription-free and does not rely on commercial call centres, meaning your request for help is received directly by Search and Rescue authorities. When triggered, the Fast Find Ranger broadcasts a unique registered distress signal that not only tells rescuers where you are, but who you are. This is typically within 5 minutes, but can be up to 45 minutes depending on satellite coverage.
\nThe Fast Find Ranger features a 121.5 MHz secondary homing transmitter which means that once Search and Rescue teams have been deployed, they are able to home in on your exact location. The unit also features a flashing SOS light which can be used to attract attention. The Fast Find Ranger has a minimum 24hr battery life when activated and the battery lasts for 6 years in storage before it needs to be replaced.
\nPrice:\u00a3239
\nBuy McMurdo Fastfind from Global Telesat Communications
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The best personal AIS beacons available right now<\/p>\n
McMurdo S20 Lifejacket AIS Beacon
\nAs standard this unit has to be activated manually, although if fitted professionally it can be set for automatic activation.
\nBattery life is again seven years, with 24 hours of continuous operation.
\nRRP: \u00a3175 \/ $260
\nBuy it now on Amazon<\/p>\n
Ocean Signal RescueMe MOB1 AIS
\nThis compact personal AIS beacon was introduced in 2015 but remains one of my favourites.
\nIt\u2019s a slim device that fits next to the oral inflation tube of a lifejacket. It can be set to activate automatically when the lifejacket inflates, although this is fiddly to set up and needs to be re-done every time the lifejacket is serviced.
\nAn integrated strobe light helps with the final precision locating of the casualty at night.
\nRRP: \u00a3259 \/ $309.99
\nBuy it now on Amazon
\nBuy it now from West Marine<\/p>\n
ACR AISLink MOB Personal Beacon
\nThis is another model that has a choice of manual or automatic activation and includes an ultra-bright LED strobe light.
\nThe battery has a seven year lifespan and an operational life of 24 hours. The unit weighs only 92 grammes.
\nRRP: \u00a3260
\nBuy it now on Amazon<\/p>\n
My-AIS
\nThis compact model has to be activated manually, rather than being automatically triggered when a lifejacket is inflated.
\nHowever, its size and shape mean it can be easily carried by crewmembers even if they are not wearing a lifejacket.
\nPrice: \u00a3218
\nBuy it now on Amazon<\/p>\n
What\u2019s the difference between a personal locator beacon and a personal AIS unit?
\nPersonal AIS transmits locally and enables the casualty\u2019s position to be displayed on the chartplotter of your own boat and others nearby, including lifeboats once near the scene.
\nBy contrast, personal locator beacons transmit their primary 406MHz signal only to a remote rescue coordination centre. This can be helpful in raising the alarm and in deploying search and rescue assets, but doesn\u2019t help your own boat and others around you to locate a person in the water.
\nPersonal locator beacons transmit a secondary signal on 121.5MHz, which is helpful for lifeboats homing in on a casualty, but other vessels are rarely equipped to receive this signal. In addition, although the units are generally buoyant, all PLBs need the antennal to be held in the air manually and the body of the unit must be supported out of the water for the GPS antenna to work.
\nFor some time there has been talk of combining both types of Personal locator beacon and AIS into a single product. We know that development of this has been in progress for some time, but getting a new product through the rigorous testing and licensing takes an inordinate amount of time and expense for the manufacturer. ACR are currently developing something but we have yet to see it.
\nWhat\u2019s the best option? Ideally both a personal locator beacon and personal AIS for each crew member \u2013 that\u2019s what I have when racing offshore or undertaking long passages when cruising.\u00a0Don\u2019t underestimate the massive step forward this represents \u2013 having both devices all but eliminates the search element of a search and rescue mission. Their adoption therefore ought to become widespread.
\nIf forced to choose only one type, providing my boat was equipped with an AIS receiver, I\u2019d likely plump for the personal AIS, particularly if sailing with other people on board and in an area in which there are generally other boats around.
\nThe post Best personal locator beacons and AIS units: 8 top options for boating appeared first on Yachting World.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
With the advent of the personal locator beacons (PLBs) and personal AIS units, rescue operations at sea are now much easier to perform. We take a look at the best PLBs and AIS on the market and explain the difference … <\/p>\n