The emergency position indicating radio beacon (EPIRB) seems like an expensive little gadget to have clipped to a bulkhead in the hope it never gets used, but if you do intend to, or regularly do head out of sight of land then you really should have at least one on board. But, what’s the best EPIRB for your boat and your sailing activity? If you regularly cruise or race out of sight of land then an Epirb is an absolutely essential bit of kit to have fitted to your boat.
\nThere\u2019s a few on the market though and they vary in price.\u00a0 Tech Editor, Fox Morgan takes a look at those currently available on the market and compares the specs to see exactly what it is you\u2019re buying.
\nMost of us will hopefully never need to use an Epirb and wonder why exactly we have this expensive piece of electronics clipped to a bulk head.
\nWhat level of specification and what budget you have for it is probably the first consideration.
\nFirst there\u2019s cat 1 and cat 2 types. If you are racing, then the rules might state you must have a hydrostatically released Cat 1 version. For most leisure users a cat 2 type will be just fine.
\nDo you want to have built in AIS? There\u2019s two currently to choose from on the market.
\nDo you want Return Link Service? There\u2019s only one model currently offering this.
\nDo you want a really small unit that can slip into a grab bag? Or do you want something you can operate without your glasses and be a substantial object to handle with cold wet hands?
\nAt a glance
\nBest top of the range Epirb \u2013\u00a0Ocean Signal RescueME EPIRB3 \u2013 Buy it now
\nBest Epirb for a grab bag \u2013\u00a0Ocean Signal RescueME EPIRB1 \u2013 Buy it now
\nBest Epirb on a budget \u2013\u00a0ACR GlobalFix V4 406 GPS EPIRB \u2013\u00a0 Buy it now<\/p>\n
Ocean Signal RescueME EPIRB1
\nReasons to Buy: Long battery life, user serviceable battery, very small compact unit
\nReasons to Avoid: the antenna must be pulled out before activation, small unit might be a bit of a fiddle for larger hands
\nOcean Signal make a well-regarded range of safety beacons, and their EPIRB1 is the smallest on the market. It has a 10-year battery life, and 48+ hours operational life. Being such a compact model as Cat 2 version, this will fit to some small bulkhead spaces and will slip easily into a grab bag.
\nIt also has a 66-channel internal GPS and a retractable antenna which you must remember to pull out when activating manually. Hidden under the rubber band\u00a0 is the lanyard to allow the unit to float outside of a liferaft and remain tethered.
\nThe Pro version of the EPIRB1 offers an an automatic release housing.
\nSpecification
\n\u2022 Operational life \u2013 48+ hours
\n\u2022 User replaceable battery \u2013 yes
\n\u2022 Battery life \u2013 10 years
\n\u2022 Auto activation \u2013 No (cat 2) Yes (cat 1)
\n\u2022 AIS \u2013 No
\n\u2022 GPS \u2013 Yes
\n\u2022 121MHz \u2013 Yes
\n\u2022 NFC \u2013 No
\n\u2022 Return Link Service \u2013 No
\nBuy Ocean Signal RescueMe Epirb1 on Amazon (UK)
\nBuy Ocean Signal RescueMe Epirb1 on Amazon (US)
\nBuy Ocean Signal RescueMe Epirb1 on eBay<\/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
Ocean Signal RescueME EPIRB3
\nReasons to Buy: the most highly specified leisure boaters epirb on the market, AIS, NFC
\nReasons to Avoid: may be a little pricey for some, the antenna must be pulled out before activation, small unit might be a bit of a fiddle for larger hands
\nThe latest epirb from Ocean Signal brings a host of new features to an already familiar compact unit.
\nThe Epirb3 has AIS, which makes localised rescue easier for any vessel equipped with a receiver and near field communication which allows easier viewing of the unit\u2019s battery status.
\nThe other most notable addition is the return link service,\u00a0 which is an indicator light on the unit that acknowledges receipt of distress signal at a rescue center.
\nEverything else remains largely the same as the epirb1.
\nYou can tell the two apart with their top housing,\u00a0 the Epirb3 is transparent whilst the Epirb1 is opaque.
\nSpecification
\n\u2022 Operational life \u2013 48+ hours
\n\u2022 User replaceable battery \u2013 yes
\n\u2022 Battery life \u2013 10 years
\n\u2022 Auto activation \u2013 No (cat 2) Yes (cat 1)
\n\u2022 AIS \u2013 Yes
\n\u2022 GPS \u2013 Yes
\n\u2022 121MHz \u2013 Yes
\n\u2022 NFC \u2013 Yes
\n\u2022 Return Link Service \u2013 Yes
\nBuy it now from Suffolk Marine Safety<\/p>\n
ACR GlobalFix V4 406 GPS EPIRB
\nReasons to Buy: large easy to handle unit, antenna always ready, simple stowage bracket
\nReasons to Avoid: larger bracket requires more space on a bulkhead
\nThis EPIRB has an internal 66-channel GPS, and a user-replaceable battery pack. It has a high-visibility LED strobe light, floats, and can be automatically activated via cat 1 hydrostatic release in housing or manually activated by cat 2 manual mount.
\nIt claims 48+ hours run time, and comes with a 5-year warranty. The antenna is held by the bracket but deploys instantly on release.
\nSpecification
\n\u2022 Operational life \u2013 48+ hours
\n\u2022 User replaceable battery \u2013 yes
\n\u2022 Battery life \u2013 10 years
\n\u2022 Auto activation \u2013 No (cat 2) Yes (cat 1)
\n\u2022 AIS \u2013 No
\n\u2022 GPS \u2013 Yes
\n\u2022 121MHz \u2013 No
\n\u2022 NFC \u2013 No
\n\u2022 Return Link Service \u2013 No
\nBuy ACR GlobalFix V4 EPIRB on Amazon (UK)
\nBuy ACR Globalfix V4 EPIRB on Amazon (US)
\nBuy ACR GlobalFix V4 EPIRB on eBay<\/p>\n
McMurdo SmartFind G8 AIS EPIRB
\nReasons to Buy: Large easy to handle unit, clear manual trigger, always ready aerial
\nReasons to Avoid: larger bracket requires more space on a buklhead
\nAs well as 406MHz and 121.5MHz transmitters, this EPIRB also includes an AIS transmitter to give local vessels location information and thus increase the chance of rescue by nearby craft.
\nIt has a 77-channel multi-constellation GNSS receiver, manual\/automatic activation, strobe light and 48 hours operating time thanks to a Lithium Ion battery that is good for 10 years before it needs replacing.
\nSpecification
\n\u2022 Operational life \u2013 48+ hours
\n\u2022 User replaceable battery \u2013 No
\n\u2022 Battery life \u2013 10 years
\n\u2022 Auto activation \u2013 Yes (Cat 1) No (Cat 2)
\n\u2022 AIS \u2013 Yes
\n\u2022 GPS \u2013 Yes
\n\u2022 121MHz \u2013 Yes
\n\u2022 NFC \u2013 No
\n\u2022 Return Link Service \u2013 No
\nBuy McMurdo Smartfind G8 AIS EPIRB on Amazon (UK)
\nBuy McMurdo Smartfind G8 AIS EPIRB\u00a0 on Amazon (US)
\nBuy McMurdo Smartfind G8 AIS EPIRB on eBay<\/p>\n
GME MT600G GPS EPIRB
\nReasons to Buy: budget friendly price, simple unit
\nReasons to Avoid: a basic unit that doesn\u2019t have some more sophisticated features of others, might be harder to find to purchase
\nThe MT403 EPIRB has a 16-channel GPS receiver, a high visibility strobe light and can be automatically or manually activated. I and has a 10-year battery life and 6-year warranty included.
\nSpecification
\n\u2022 Operational battery life is 48 hours, and a mounting bracket is included.
\n\u2022 Operational life \u2013 48+ hours
\n\u2022 User replaceable battery \u2013 No
\n\u2022 Battery life \u2013 10 years
\n\u2022 Auto activation \u2013 Yes (Cat 1) No (Cat 2)
\n\u2022 AIS \u2013 No
\n\u2022 GPS \u2013 Yes
\n\u2022 121MHz \u2013 No
\n\u2022 NFC \u2013 No
\n\u2022 Return Link Service \u2013 No
\nBuy GME MT603G from Amazon.co.uk
\nBuy GME MT603G from Sartech.com<\/p>\n
What we look for in an EPIRB?<\/p>\n
Internal GPS: Nearly all of the best EPIRBs available on the market today will have an integrated GPS, but if you have an older model, some of these don\u2019t, which can mean they are much slower and less accurate at pinpointing your location
\nUser serviceable battery: You might like to consider a model which allows you to change the battery yourself.\u00a0 Service centres can be costly but do offer peace of mind in return for an increased cost.
\nAuto activation: Some of the best EPIRBS can be automatically activated upon immersion, and some housings will automatically release the EPIRB to float free should it become submerged, this is mandatory for SOLAS vessels.
\nRetractable Antenna: These prevent damage when stowed, but must be deployed to allow the beacon to reach its full range potential.
\nDual-Frequency: Whilst all will transmit initially on 406MHz, some offer additional 121.5 MHz for accurate search and rescue homing. Some models have an AIS transmitter for local position pinpointing instead.
\nRegistration: Each EPIRB comes pre-programmed with a country code, so beware of buying EPIRBs online from other regions. You must register your EPIRB with the MCA in the UK. or the NOAA if you are based in USA<\/p>\n
For past adventures and tales of rescue at sea you can read more at Yachting World and the 2020\/21 Vendee Glove recue of Kevin Escoffier
\nRead how a PLB saved Solo Yachtsman, Nigel Fox\u2019s life at Yachting Monthly
\nLooking for a personal beacon? Read our buyers guide to help you choose the best one for you:\u00a0 Best personal locator beacons and AIS units: 8 top options for boating
\nDidn\u2019t find what you\u2019re looking for? Head to Amazon\u2019s dedicated boating page for more marine products.
\nThe post Best EPIRB: 5 emergency beacons for leisure sailors appeared first on Yachting World.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The emergency position indicating radio beacon (EPIRB) seems like an expensive little gadget to have clipped to a bulkhead in the hope it never gets used, but if you do intend to, or regularly do head out of sight of … <\/p>\n