406 MHz beacon Registration - AMSA

by Australian Maratime Safety Authority on 3 Mar 2007 If you purchase a new or a used 406 MHz beacon you MUST register it with AMSA.

If you change any information on your registration (such as phone number, address, bought a new boat, etc.) you MUST update your 406 MHz beacon registration details with AusSAR. Also, if you sell your 406 MHz beacon advise AMSA and make sure the purchaser knows to re-register the beacon, or you may be contacted by rescue authorities if it is activated. Please provide the new owner our phone number or this web page so they can register the beacon. If you dispose of the beacon or it is lost or stolen, please advise AMSA using the beacon disposal advice form (Printable pdf version). If the beacon has been stolen, you should also advise your local police.

Please do your part to help us, so that we can help you!

In the near future AusSAR plans to provide a means for online registration and updating a registration. Please check web page periodically to read the latest developments on beacon news and any changes to our registration database procedures.

Who can register their beacon with AMSA?

For a beacon to be registered in Australia the following criteria must be met:
the beacon must be coded with the Australian country code;
the owner must be an Australian resident or company; and
the primary nominated 24 hour contact should be in Australia.
If you meet the above criteria fill out the registration form provided and send to AMSA by email, facsimile or mail. Contact details are included on the registration form.

Residents of other countries buying beacons in Australia should have the beacon coded and registered with their country of residence.

Coding of distress beacons.

406 MHz distress beacons are coded to reflect the beacon type and use. The coding carried out by the supplier results in a unique identifier for your beacon called the HexID. When the HexID is decoded it reveals the country code (503 is Australia) and, depending on the protocol used, a vessel or aircraft radio callsign, MMSI or registration, or a serial number linked to the registration database and, in the case of beacons with input, a GPS position.

If a beacon is coded with an MMSI, radio callsign or aircraft registration, it is tied to that vessel or aircraft and if it is transferred to another vehicle it would have to be recoded. Beacons coded using either the manufacturers' serial numbers or national serial numbers available from AMSA can be transferred more easily.

Refer to the website for further information and instructions and email addresses for all inquiries - www.amsa.gov.au