BoatU.S. EPIRB rental great for USA boaters - and getting better
by Sail-World Cruising on 23 Feb 2010
EPIRB Rescue - occasional rental for those who are only rarely at sea SW
A rental program for EPIRB's from the Boat Owner's Association of the USA has been benefiting American boaters to the tune of 62 lives saved over the last 14 years.
Now the system, which could well be copied by other sailing nations of the world, is getting better, with GPS enabled models.
Sailboat racers, tournament fishermen and short-haul cruisers who occasionally travel far offshore have relied on the BoatU.S. Foundation's Emergency Position Indicating Rescue Beacon (EPIRB) Rental Program for over 14 years. In that time, Foundation EPIRBs have been rented out over 5,000 times with 62 lives saved.
Now the Foundation has added GPIRBs (Global Position Indicating Radio Beacons) to the program which are easier to ship, easier to store and provide a more accurate location fix -- potentially leading to speedier rescues. The new GPIRBs rent for just US$65 a week.
'Our rental program is a great way to improve personal safety while saving money for anyone who has an occasional need for an emergency rescue beacon,' said BoatU.S. Foundation Program Manager David Carter.
The program offers McMurdo Smartfind Plus GPS-enabled EPIRBs which normally retail for about $800. Since it includes GPS technology in addition to the standard 406-MHz satellite signaling capabilities, a GPIRB provides search and rescue authorities with a more accurate location of a vessel in distress. When compared to standard EPIRBs, it also performs this lifesaving function in a fraction of the time which can enable rescuers to respond sooner.
The new GPIRBs are stored in a small 'lunch box' size, waterproof case that makes them easier to stow aboard in more readily accessible locations. The unit's battery is also non-hazardous, allowing GPIRBs to be shipped by air and cutting down on delivery times. 'If you order by 2 p.m. E.T., we can have the GPIRB on its way to you the same day,' said Carter. An easy online booking system allows users to save their vessel and contact information for future use, or make changes to their itinerary if needed.
If you are in a position to take advantage of the program, for more information or to rent a beacon from the BoatU.S. Foundation, go to www.BoatUS.com/Foundation/epirb .
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