No 406 beacon? - Rent one for your next Passage

by Boat US on 28 Jan 2009 In the USA, for sailors who only make an occasional offshore passage, it is possible to rent a 406MHz Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) instead of the expense of purchase - the important thing is to have one on board after February 01

For years cruisers and racers making offshore passages relied upon EPIRBs utilizing the 121 MHz radio frequency. However, with better technology available in the newer 406 MHz EPIRBs, the world's rescue authorities will cease monitoring the old frequency on February 1.

'406 MHz EPIRBs are now the standard for offshore distress signaling,' said BoatU.S. Foundation Rental EPIRB Program Manager David Carter. 'They have better accuracy, fewer false alerts and greater reliability. Search and rescue agencies are able to respond quicker and pinpoint offshore boaters in trouble.'

The BoatU.S. Foundation highly recommends that boaters who make frequent offshore passages -- generally considered to be about 20 miles out from shore and too far for VHF radio or cell phone coverage -- to purchase and install a new 406 MHz EPIRB. Current retail pricing starts around $500. The Foundation also rents the 406 MHz EPIRBs for only $40 a week for those with a temporary need who only go offshore occasionally.

'Our BoatU.S. EPIRB Rental Program is perfect for someone entering an occasional offshore race, or making that once or twice a year passage to a new cruising ground such as Mexico or the Bahamas,' said Carter.

The decision to no longer monitor the 121 MHz radio frequency was made by the international satellite-based search and rescue organization, COSPAS/SARSAT, nearly nine years ago, giving time for mariners to transition to the newer technology.

For more information on the BoatU.S. EPIRB rental program, go to http://www.BoatUS.com/foundation/epirb or call 888-66-EPIRB (888-663-7472).