ResQLink AIS GPS Personal Location Beacon PLB-450 with AIS & RLS A world leader in rescue devices and other life-saving products relied on by both professional and recreational mariners, ACR is proud to offer the ResQLink AIS. This compact high-tech Personal Locator Beacon is the world’s first PLB to include both AIS (Automatic Identification System) and NFC (Near Field Communication) in addition to standard satellite notification through the Cospas Sarsat rescue system. AIS means instant local notification for faster rescue times. Ensures the beacon is working properly when needed and provides easy access via smartphone to all functions and records. Accurate positioning through GNSS (GPS, Galileo, Glonass) and 406 MHz satellite connectivity mean reliable service worldwide.121.5MHz homing transmissions combined with AIS and both visible and infrared strobe aid in beacon location and speed recovery times. The innovative ACR ResQLink AIS is the FIRST to combine all these features in a compact easy-to-use PLB Beacon making it the FIRST choice for serious mariners looking for a Personal Locator Beacon. The Worldwide Cospas Sarsat satellite system includes 3 different constellations to ensure your 406 MHz distress signal immediately reaches the global network of Search and Rescue forces with your location accurate to within 100 meters. With multiple levels of integrated signaling technology including 406 MHz and GNSS (GPS, Galileo, Glonass) positioning, the PLB also transmits a 121.5 MHz homing signal which guides Search and Rescue services to the beacon’s current location when they arrive at the scene, as the beacon may have drifted from the originally transmitted position. The addition of AIS (Automatic Identification System) transmissions means the ResQLink AIS simultaneously alerts all vessels equipped with AIS transponders within the VHF radio range of the PLB’s distress position. This greatly increases both the likelihood and speed of rescue since nearby vessels receive the alerts.  Immediately upon deployment of the beacon an AIS Safety Message or MOB Alarm with the beacon’s MMSI and location is presented on any AIS screen within range. This makes it easy for nearby vessels to home in on the beacon since it is an active AIS target on their screens. The ResQLink AIS will light the way as rescuers arrive on the scene with both a white visible strobe and infrared strobe providing rescuers with the visual reference they need during nighttime or other low visibility rescue operations. Smartphone Connectivity utilizing Near Field Communication (NFC) The integration of NFC technology provides users with the ability to conveniently access beacon data from their mobile phone. The simple act of placing a phone near the beacon automatically opens the ACR Product App and provides access to a wealth of usage data including current battery life, number of self-tests completed, number of GNSS tests completed, and if applicable, the amount of time the beacon has been activated. Detailed information on each self-test and GNSS test performed by the beacon is also available if desired. For each successful GNSS test, users can view a map showing exactly where the test was performed, the date and time of the test, the time it took the beacon to get a fix on your GNSS coordinates, the number of satellites the beacon used to obtain that fix, and the accuracy of the location.  Return Link Service (RLS) RLS functionality works by sending a signal back through the Galileo satellite network to confirm to the beacon user that their distress message has been received and their location has been detected by the Coast Guard. A confirmation message is distinctly indicated by a flashing blue light on the PLB. Like other ACR beacons that include the important RLS feature, the ResQLink AIS provides the comfort of knowing that a distress message has been successfully delivered. Understanding that rescuers are aware of the beacon transmission and location reduces the stress often associated with Man Overboard incidents. PFD Compatibility and Integration The ResQLink AIS is designed to install within a life jacket and activate upon inflation of the jacket (semi-automatic). Installation is made simple using the included oral inflation tube clip to attach the PLB to the life jacket with a ribbon connected around the bladder of the life jacket. Once correctly installed, the action of the life jacket inflating triggers the deployment of the antenna and activation of the beacon. Users not wishing to install the PLB within a life jacket have the option to utilize the included webbing clip to attach the beacon to an appropriately sized belt or the webbing of an inherently buoyant life jacket.      Features: No Subscription Required 406 MHz Cospas Sarsat Distress Signal (MEOSAR Compatible) 121.5 MHz Local Homing Signal AIS (Automatic Identification System) Locating Signal Smartphone connectivity via NFC (Near Field Communication) Free ACR Beacon Mobile App (IOS and Android) Return Link Service (RLS) Functionality GNSS via GPS, Galileo, and Glonass Strobe and Infrared Strobe Light Global Coverage Simple PFD attachment Designed to Integrate with common Inflatable PFDs Multifunction Clip System Included Small and lightweight 5-year battery life Over 24 hours of Operational Life This product may not be returned to the original point of purchase. Please contact the manufacturer directly with any issues or concerns.

Personal Locator Beacons  

Personal Locator Beacons  

Personal Locator Beacons  

    Who Doesn't Like New Gear?   Who doesn't like new gear? Check out ACR's complete new product showcase now at CWR. New products include: ResQLink 400 & View, CB2 AIS, RCL-85, RCL-95, OLAS Tag wearable crew tracker, OLAS Float-On and more. Check it out today!       ResQLink View 425 Personal Locator Beacon with Digital Display   Small but resilient, the ResQLink View has been professionally engineered and tested to ensure it can withstand even the harshest elements. This buoyant Personal Locator Beacon requires no subscription for use and includes a digital display providing live status and GPS coordinates. Whether on land, at sea, or in the air, trust that the ResQLink's satellite precision and military durability, puts rescue in the palm of your hands.       OLAS (Overboard Location Alert System) Float-On Light   Wearable Crew Tracker with LED Flashlight + Water Activated Strobe   The ACR Float-On is a buoyant water activated strobe and LED flashlight. The strobe automatically activates in water when its integrated water sensors detect six seconds of water connection. The separated and sunken water connection terminals ensure the device only automatically activates when fully submerged in water. The high-power LED strobe, visible up to 3 nautical miles away, flashes once every second for up to 20 hours and acts as an exceptional safety aid for both novice and experienced boaters.     Specials    Closeouts   Remanufactured    Rebates  

  ACR Spring Perfect Combo Rebates A second chance has never been more affordable. For a limited time, save big on select ACR Emergency Position-Indicating Radio Beacons (EPIRBs) and Personal Locator Beacons (PLBs) with ACR's Spring Perfect Combo and cash rebates. Promotion Details: GlobalFix iPRO & ResQLink+ Perfect Combo - Get our top selling Personal Locator Beacon when you purchase the feature rich GlobalFix iPRO EPIRB. A $325 Retail Value via Mail in Rebate  GlobalFix PRO EPIRB - $100 Cash via Mail in Rebate AquaLink View Personal Locator Beacon - $100 Cash via Mail in Rebate  AquaLink Personal Locator Beacon - $50 Cash via Mail in Rebate ResQLink and ResQLink+ - $50 Cash via Mail in Rebate  GlobalFix V4 EPIRB - $50 Cash via Mail in Rebate * Purchases on select beacons between February 1st - March 31, 2017       Specials   Closeouts    Remanufactured    Rebates  

  ACR Spring Perfect Combo Rebates A second chance has never been more affordable. For a limited time, save big on select ACR Emergency Position-Indicating Radio Beacons (EPIRBs) and Personal Locator Beacons (PLBs) with ACR's Spring Perfect Combo and cash rebates. Promotion Details: GlobalFix iPRO & ResQLink+ Perfect Combo - Get our top selling Personal Locator Beacon when you purchase the feature rich GlobalFix iPRO EPIRB. A $325 Retail Value via Mail in Rebate  GlobalFix PRO EPIRB - $100 Cash via Mail in Rebate AquaLink View Personal Locator Beacon - $100 Cash via Mail in Rebate  AquaLink Personal Locator Beacon - $50 Cash via Mail in Rebate ResQLink and ResQLink+ - $50 Cash via Mail in Rebate  GlobalFix V4 EPIRB - $50 Cash via Mail in Rebate * Purchases on select beacons between February 1st - March 31, 2017       Specials   Closeouts    Remanufactured    Rebates  

  ACR Spring Perfect Combo Rebates A second chance has never been more affordable. For a limited time, save big on select ACR Emergency Position-Indicating Radio Beacons (EPIRBs) and Personal Locator Beacons (PLBs) with ACR's Spring Perfect Combo and cash rebates. Promotion Details: GlobalFix iPRO & ResQLink+ Perfect Combo - Get our top selling Personal Locator Beacon when you purchase the feature rich GlobalFix iPRO EPIRB. A $325 Retail Value via Mail in Rebate  GlobalFix PRO EPIRB - $100 Cash via Mail in Rebate AquaLink View Personal Locator Beacon - $100 Cash via Mail in Rebate  AquaLink Personal Locator Beacon - $50 Cash via Mail in Rebate ResQLink and ResQLink+ - $50 Cash via Mail in Rebate  GlobalFix V4 EPIRB - $50 Cash via Mail in Rebate * Purchases on select beacons between February 1st - March 31, 2017       Specials   Closeouts    Remanufactured    Rebates  

  ACR Spring Perfect Combo Rebates A second chance has never been more affordable. For a limited time, save big on select ACR Emergency Position-Indicating Radio Beacons (EPIRBs) and Personal Locator Beacons (PLBs) with ACR's Spring Perfect Combo and cash rebates. Promotion Details: GlobalFix iPRO & ResQLink+ Perfect Combo - Get our top selling Personal Locator Beacon when you purchase the feature rich GlobalFix iPRO EPIRB. A $325 Retail Value via Mail in Rebate  GlobalFix PRO EPIRB - $100 Cash via Mail in Rebate AquaLink View Personal Locator Beacon - $100 Cash via Mail in Rebate  AquaLink Personal Locator Beacon - $50 Cash via Mail in Rebate ResQLink and ResQLink+ - $50 Cash via Mail in Rebate  GlobalFix V4 EPIRB - $50 Cash via Mail in Rebate * Purchases on select beacons between February 1st - March 31, 2017       Specials   Closeouts    Remanufactured    Rebates  

  ACR Spring Perfect Combo Rebates A second chance has never been more affordable. For a limited time, save big on select ACR Emergency Position-Indicating Radio Beacons (EPIRBs) and Personal Locator Beacons (PLBs) with ACR's Spring Perfect Combo and cash rebates. Promotion Details: GlobalFix iPRO & ResQLink+ Perfect Combo - Get our top selling Personal Locator Beacon when you purchase the feature rich GlobalFix iPRO EPIRB. A $325 Retail Value via Mail in Rebate  GlobalFix PRO EPIRB - $100 Cash via Mail in Rebate AquaLink View Personal Locator Beacon - $100 Cash via Mail in Rebate  AquaLink Personal Locator Beacon - $50 Cash via Mail in Rebate ResQLink and ResQLink+ - $50 Cash via Mail in Rebate  GlobalFix V4 EPIRB - $50 Cash via Mail in Rebate * Purchases on select beacons between February 1st - March 31, 2017       Specials   Closeouts    Remanufactured    Rebates  

FastFind 220™ Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) - Limited Battery Life (5 Years) Expires 2029 A lifesaving distress beacon with a buoyancy pouch included, designed for marine enthusiasts and adventurers. The FastFind 220 is the world’s first Galileo PLB, offering accelerated location detection with GPS and Galileo GNSS receivers. The FastFind 220 Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) uses advanced technology packed into a simple, lightweight, palm-sized unit. Using the dedicated 406 MHz frequency, FastFind 220 transmits your unique ID and precise location to the global network of search and rescue satellites. The FastFind 220’s electronics design was upgraded in 2018, offering accelerated location detection with dual GNSS capabilities — GPS & Galileo receivers. Within minutes rescuers are alerted to your situation and receive regular position updates. Finally, emergency services can home in on your beacon’s 121.5 MHz transmission to find you. Explore the world with peace of mind. If you find yourself in a remote area without any other form of communication, activating your FastFind 220 will summon emergency assistance. McMurdo FastFind 220™ PLB has a limited battery life of 5 years.  FastFind 220 could save a life! FastFind gives users: Mini size, MIGHTY emergency signal Simple design, easy to use Self-test both the battery and GNSS Worldwide network of suppliers and service dealers Peace of mind to take your next step into adventure! FastFind 220 has worldwide coverage and ensures you are rescued by professionals Features: World’s first PLB with Galileo & GPS GNSS receiver for accelerated location detection Compact, lightweight, and waterproof 5-year battery life Minimum 24 hours continuous 406MHz operation The floatation pouch, lanyard, and standard pouch included Waterproof to 10M Self-test facilities No subscription or call charges Accelerated Rescue with Galileo and GPS This product may not be returned to the original point of purchase. Please contact the manufacturer directly with any issues or concerns.

FastFind 220™ Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) - Limited Battery Life (4 Years) Expires 2028 A lifesaving distress beacon with a buoyancy pouch included, designed for marine enthusiasts and adventurers. The FastFind 220 is the world’s first Galileo PLB, offering accelerated location detection with GPS and Galileo GNSS receivers. The FastFind 220 Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) uses advanced technology packed into a simple, lightweight, palm-sized unit. Using the dedicated 406 MHz frequency, FastFind 220 transmits your unique ID and precise location to the global network of search and rescue satellites. The FastFind 220’s electronics design was upgraded in 2018, offering accelerated location detection with dual GNSS capabilities — GPS & Galileo receivers. Within minutes rescuers are alerted to your situation and receive regular position updates. Finally, emergency services can home in on your beacon’s 121.5 MHz transmission to find you. Explore the world with peace of mind. If you find yourself in a remote area without any other form of communication, activating your FastFind 220 will summon emergency assistance. McMurdo FastFind 220™ PLB has a limited battery life of 4 years. FastFind 220 could save a life! FastFind gives users: Mini size, MIGHTY emergency signal Simple design, easy to use Self-test both the battery and GNSS Worldwide network of suppliers and service dealers Peace of mind to take your next step into adventure! FastFind 220 has worldwide coverage and ensures you are rescued by professionals Features: World’s first PLB with Galileo & GPS GNSS receiver for accelerated location detection Compact, lightweight, and waterproof 4-year battery life Minimum 24 hours continuous 406MHz operation The floatation pouch, lanyard, and standard pouch included Waterproof to 10M Self-test facilities No subscription or call charges Accelerated Rescue with Galileo and GPS This product may not be returned to the original point of purchase. Please contact the manufacturer directly with any issues or concerns.

Marine Safety It can be very enjoyable to be out on the water, but you do not want to forget about marine safety. Making sure you protect yourself as much as possible matters, and you also want to keep all of your boat's passengers safe, too. We have the accessories you need to raise your level of safety and increase your peace of mind anytime you take the boat out of the dock. Our options for personal locator beacons and safety lights can help protect you, and our waterproof bags & cases help you make sure you do not damage any of your personal belongings, either.   Make sure you remember to take an emergency weather radio, and we offer EPIRBs, Flotation Coats/Pants, Fume Detectors, Immersion/Dry/Work Suits, Life Rafts, Man Overboard Devices, Personal Flotation Devices, Personal Locator Beacons, Safety Lights, and Waterproof Bags & Cases and Medical Kits to protect yourself and the people you care about . Your passengers will thank you when they feel safe on your boat, and you will have less to worry about. Then you can have more fun out on the waterways, and really appreciate the beauty of nature and all the fun a boat can bring.

GlobalFix™ V5 Cat 1 GPS AIS EPIRB with Return Link Service & Mobile App The ACR GlobalFix V5 EPIRB combines 406 MHz satellite connectivity with Automatic Identification System (AIS) functionality. This means that when the EPIRB is activated not only does it transmit your emergency signal to the global Cospas Sarsat satellite rescue system, but it broadcasts an AIS safety message on VHF-frequencies that can be seen immediately by any AIS-equipped vessel nearby. Other great features include Return Link Service (RLS) technology that provides visual confirmation to the user that their distress message has been received, a 121.5 MHz homing signal, and visible and infrared strobe lights for easy target identification at night or in poor visibility. Another feature is Near Field Communication (NFC) which allows users to monitor their EPIRB using a smartphone App. ACR is the global leader in marine safety and rescue technology and the GlobalFix V5 GPS EPIRB with AIS combines the durability and reliability they are known for with advanced technology designed to speed rescue response time.   Faster Rescues through the Pairing of Global and Local Rescue The ACR GlobalFix V5 EPIRB accurately derives its position anywhere in the world using GNSS (GPS, Galileo, Glonass) positioning networks. Upon activation 406 MHz distress transmissions relay the GPS EPIRB (GPIRB) position, accurate to within 100 meters, to the worldwide Cospas Sarsat search and rescue satellite network. EPIRB identifiers and position information is relayed to ground stations through the satellite system initiating rescue operations. With advanced AIS technology now incorporated into the EPIRB, once activated an AIS signal is transmitted so that nearby vessels outfitted with an AIS transponder are instantly notified of the EPIRB location. AIS-equipped vessels within the VHF range of the EPIRB will see a safety message on their screens including MMSI vessel identification. Vessels in the area where the EPIRB has been activated can then start rescue and recovery operations immediately without having to wait for an emergency response from the applicable SAR authority. AIS also allows local responders to easily pinpoint the EPIRB’s location which is presented as an AIS target on their onboard display. Nearby vessels with onboard AIS can navigate directly to the EPIRB by selecting the AIS target. This incredible technological advancement will speed recovery times which is sure to save lives. Smartphone Connectivity utilizing Near Field Communication (NFC) NFC (Near Field Communication) technology allows users to access EPIRB diagnostics using their smartphones. When a smartphone is placed adjacent to the GlobalFix V5 EPIRB the ACR Product App automatically opens providing access to EPIRB data. Beacon status information in the app includes current battery life, number of self-tests completed, number of GNSS tests completed, and the amount of time the EPIRB has been activated. Detailed information on each self-test and GNSS test performed by the device is also available. GNSS tests show a map view pinpointing where the previous test was performed, the date and time of the test, how long it took the EPIRB to get a fix on the GNSS coordinates, the number of satellites used to obtain that fix, and the accuracy of the fix. Easy App connectivity with NFC allows users to easily check the status of all EPIRB functions to ensure it is working properly. Return Link Service (RLS) Return Link Service tells whoever triggers the EPIRB that the distress message has been delivered. An RLS signal sent back through the Galileo satellite network confirms that the distress message along with the precise beacon location and identifiers have been detected. An easy-to-see flashing blue light indicates the EPIRB’s successful reception of the Return Link message from the Galileo satellite network. The comfort of knowing rescuers are aware that an EPIRB has been activated and that they have its location helps reduce the stress associated with mayday situations. ACR specializes in electronic rescue devices and other life-saving products designed for both professional and recreational mariners. With the addition of AIS, the innovative ACR GlobalFix V5 EPIRB provides the easiest and quickest path to rescue. Return Link Service provides a welcomed sense of security knowing that your distress message has been received and Near Field Communication provides access to data and product functionality that has never before been available to any EPIRB customer. The advanced feature set of the GlobalFix V5 EPIRB makes it perfect for mariners whether coastal cruising, working offshore, or crossing oceans. Specifications: Output Power (406/121.5): 406.040 MHz, 5W (nominal) / 121.5 MHz, 50mW (nominal) AIS: Yes, AIS Alerts for Local Rescue Return Link Service: Yes, Enabled RLS confirmation direct to beacon NFC/Mobile App: Yes, Near Field Communication (NFC) and Mobile App Included Strobe: White & Infrared Dual Technology Size (antenna up) – Beacon Only: 18.5” x 4.3” x 4.36” (470 mm x 109 mm x 111 mm) Weight – Beacon Only: 1.78 lbs (810 G) Battery: Lithium battery, Li/FeS2 Battery Replacement: 10-year replaceable battery (replace 10 years after the date of manufacture or after activation) GPS: 72 Channel Multi-constellation receiver (GPS, Galileo, & Glonass GNSS) Activation: Out of bracket and wet, or manually in or out of the bracket Waterproof: 33 ft (10 m) for 5 min. Buoyant: Yes Operational Life: 48 hours minimum @ -4°F (-20°C) Deployment: Category I – Hydrostatic Release (auto deploy) Warranty: 5 years Approvals: Cospas-Sarsat/FCC/MED/MER Approved This product may not be returned to the original point of purchase. Please contact the manufacturer directly with any issues or concerns.

In the last few years we have seen a major change in rescue devices using satellite beacons. The SPOT, is a device with some rescue beacon features and is affordable but should not replace an EPIRB or PLB, with their automatic global links to government-run satellite rescue system.  Then we have Personal Locator Beacons (PLBs) which are getting smaller, smarter and less expensive with the introduction of the McMurdo FastFIND 210.  EPIRBs, the original beacons, are likewise getting smaller and adding features.   What the Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon does? An EPIRB (Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon) is a critical piece of last-resort lifesaving gear on your boat when you are out of range of a VHF radio, cell phone or other means of communication. EPIRBs and Personal Locator Beacons are small radio transmitters, connected to a global government-run satellite network, which is used worldwide to alert Search and Rescue agencies in the event of a dire emergency. Used only when all other means of rescue or communication have failed, these emergency beacons can be activated if your boat is in danger of sinking, or if you have a life-threatening accident or medical emergency. Activating an EPIRB starts a chain of responses, beginning when your signal is received by the COSPAS-SARSAT international satellite system, relayed rapidly to ground stations, forwarded to a regional Rescue Coordination Center and ending when a helicopter, boat, rescue swimmer or other type of emergency response team makes contact with you. An EPIRB does not allow you to send or receive voice or text messages. If you can reach rescue agencies with an Iridium satellite phone, Single Sideband radio or cell phone, you can better communicate the important details of your emergency. EPIRBs work when all of these means have failed, such as if your boat is sinking on the high seas and you have no electrical power.   How EPIRBs Work EPIRBs transmit using internationally recognized distress frequencies, monitored by LEOSAR (low earth orbit) satellites moving from pole to pole above the earth's surface, and GEOSAR (geostationary) satellites in high stationary orbit.  LEOSAR satellites, because they are in motion, use Doppler shift processing (the perceived frequency change caused by the relative movement of the receiver and the source) to calculate the location of the distress beacon. They cover the entire globe, orbiting once about every 100 minutes.  GEOSAR provides instantaneous alerting, but no position locating. Signals from both types are relayed to automated Local User Terminal (LUT) ground stations worldwide, which forward them to Mission Control Centers (MCC). The MCC tracks the signal, attempts to identify the transmitting vessel using the database of registered EPIRBs, and notifies a regional Rescue Control Center (RCC), operated in the U.S. by the Coast Guard or the Air Force.   A Search and Rescue operation is launched, sometimes involving international communication, substantial costs, lots of planes, helicopters or ships, and rescuers who risk their lives.    Curious onboard guests may remove an EPIRB from its cradle, causing accidental activation.  Some false alarms are hoaxes, and deliberate misuse of emergency beacons may result in substantial fines, restitution and or prison.   If you accidentally trigger your EPIRB, call the U.S. Coast Guard HQ Command Center at 1–800–323–7233 immediately.   You will keep valuable resources from being mobilized, unable to deal with an actual emergency, and possibly prevent a SAR team from converging on your boat.       Around the world...around the clock...NOAA proudly stands watch.  As an integral part of worldwide search and rescue, NOAA operates the Search And Rescue Satellite Aided Tracking (SARSAT) System to detect and locate mariners, aviators, and recreational enthusiasts in distress almost anywhere in the world at anytime and in almost any condition.   The SARSAT system uses NOAA satellites in low-earth and geostationary orbits to detect and locate aviators, mariners, and land-based users in distress. The satellites relay distress signals from emergency beacons to a network of ground stations and ultimately to the U.S. Mission Control Center (USMCC) in Suitland, Maryland. The USMCC processes the distress signal and alerts the appropriate search and rescue authorities to who is in distress and, more importantly, where they are located.   SARSAT takes the "search" out of search and rescue!   NOAA-SARSAT is a part of the international Cospas-Sarsat Program to which 38 nations and two independent SAR organizations belong to     What should you look for 406 MHz EPIRBs: Modern EPIRBs transmit digitally on 406.025 and 406.028 MHz (so they are called “406 EPIRBs”). Their signal has an embedded code containing a unique identification number, allowing rescue agencies to look up your emergency information (including name, phone number, vessel type, emergency contact, etc.), in a database, but only if you have registered your EPIRB. When your EPIRB transmits, rescuers know who you are and can phone your emergency contacts to verify your itinerary. Satellites also can store and rebroadcast your 406 emergency message, so the LEOSAR satellite does not need to be in direct contact between you and a ground station. A 406 MHz signal also allows the satellite to calculate the position of the sender to less than a 2-nm radius, resulting in the fastest and least costly rescue response. 406 EPIRBs transmit with 5W of power, adequate even in poor weather conditions. The average time to notification of RCCs via 406 MHz EPIRBs is approximately one hour worldwide.   The difference between a Category I and II: By rule, all EPIRBs must be able to activate and transmit when they are removed from their brackets and immersed. Category I brackets will automatically deploy the beacon when submerged between 3' and 14', while Category II brackets need to have the beacon released manually. Both types can be manually activated either in or out of their brackets.   GPS/EPIRB Combinations: Three types of EPIRBs now include the ability to transmit GPS coordinates along with the rest of the digital distress message. Some units can interface with an external GPS and if the receiver is turned on will transmit coordinates within seconds of activation. Other EPIRBs contain their own receiver and take longer to acquire their location, but keep transmitting while the EPIRB is operating, without remaining connected to an external GPS with an interface cable. Using the stationary GEOSAR satellites, these transmitters do not need to wait for a LEOSAR to pass overhead and fix a Doppler bearing, and reduce the time–to–notification to as little as four minutes. Like other GPS receivers, their position accuracy is 100yd. (instead of 2nm without GPS). A third type includes the GlobalFix iPRO, which combines features of both receiver types with Dual GPS Technology. It interfaces with your onboard GPS to ensure that your LAT/LON is stored inside, allowing your precise coordinatesto transmit in the first data burst. Then its internal GPS takes over and continues transmitting.   Personal Locator Beacons:   EPIRBS are intended strictly for marine use, but Personal Locator Beacons (PLBs), their smaller cousins, can be carried with you just about anywhere. They provide the same worldwide coverage as EPIRBs, and can rescue hikers, kayakers, backpackers, climbers, pilots, river rafters and hunters (among others) as well as boaters. PLBs are different from EPIRBs in some important ways. Their battery life (24hr. minimum transmit time) is often half that of an EPIRB. PLBs are not required to float or have a strobe light (but most do), and are manually deployed and activated. Like 406 EPIRBS, PLBs have an additional 121.5MHz homing signal to help planes, helicopters and other searchers find you. They also have a Morse code encryption for PLB attached to their digital signal. We believe, as do the safety experts, that EPIRBs are for your boat, and a PLB is a “personal” beacon. A PLB is great insurance while exploring away from the mothership in your dinghy, and is a less-bulky EPIRB alternative for any small boat. The ability to be carried with you and used anywhere—with a group of hikers, on a snowmobile or in a canoe—makes a PLB a valuable and versatile lifesaving tool.   SPOT:   An updated version of SPOT, 30% smaller and 30% lighter than the original, SPOT II is equipped with better controls and an improved GPS. SPOT II has rescue beacon features, and SPOT has created a popular niche with its added communication features and lower initial cost.  SPOT should not replace an EPIRB or PLB, with their automatic global links to government-run satellite rescue system.  The COSPAS/SARSAT system is a result of international cooperation with an established network of satellites, ground stations, rescue agencies, etc.  The system works, and has been proven during countless rescues.   Testing a EPIRBs 406 MHz EPIRBs can be tested through its self-test function, which is an integral part of the device.  406 MHz EPIRBs can also be tested inside a container designed to prevent its reception by the satellite.  Testing a 406 MHz EPIRB by allowing it to radiate outside such a container is illegal. Battery Replacement 406 MHz EPIRBs use a special type of lithium battery designed for long-term low-power consumption operation. Batteries must be replaced by the date indicated on the EPIRB label using the model specified by the manufacturer. It should be replaced by a dealer approved by the manufacturer. If the replacement battery is not the proper type, the EPIRB will not operate for the duration specified in a distress.   Register your 406 EPIRB or PLB! It is mandatory that you register your 406 EPIRB/PLB with NOAA SARSAT, yet only 80% of our customers register their new beacons. In the U.S. you can register online at www.beaconregistration.noaa.gov . U.S. registration can also be completed by mail or by downloading the registration form and faxing it to NOAA SARSAT at 301–568–8649.  It is free, no license is required and it is critical in making your EPIRB perform as intended. When filling out the registration form, carefully select the emergency contacts NOAA or the Coast Guard should call in case your beacon goes off. These should be individuals who are familiar with your plans, and who are most likely to be available. Failure to properly register your beacon will most likely delay the launch of a rescue mission. Also, the Coast Guard says that 94% of EPIRBs alerts are false and that registration data has enabled them to resolve 65% of the alerts prior to launching SAR operations.     International Beacon Registration Database: https://www.406registration.com/     What happens to your registration form?   The registration sheet you fill out and send in is entered into the U.S. 406 Beacon Registration Database maintained by NOAA/NESDIS. If your EPIRB is activated, your registration information will be sent automatically to the appropriate USCG SAR Rescue Coordination Center (RCC) for response. One of the first things the RCC watchstanders do is attempt to contact the owner/operator at the phone number listed in the database to determine if the vessel is underway (thus ruling out the possibility of a false alarm due to accidental activation or EPIRB malfunction), the intended route of the vessel if underway, the number of people on board, etc., from a family member. If there is no answer at this number, or no information, the other numbers listed in the database will be called to attempt to get the information described above needed to assist the RCC in responding appropriately to the EPIRB alert.   When RCC personnel contact the emergency phone numbers you provide, they will have all the information you have provided on the registration form. You should let these contacts know as much about your intended voyage as possible (i.e., intended route, stops, area you normally sail/fish/recreate, duration of trip, number of people going, etc.).  The more information these contacts have, the better prepared our SAR personnel will be to react. The contacts can ask the RCC personnel contacting them to be kept informed of any developments, if they so desire.   Registration regulations   You may be fined for false activation of an unregistered EPIRB. The U.S. Coast Guard routinely refers cases involving the non-distress activation of an EPIRB (e.g., as a hoax, through gross negligence, carelessness or improper storage and handling) to the Federal Communications Commission. The FCC will prosecute cases based upon evidence provided by the Coast Guard, and will issue warning letters or notices of apparent liability for fines up to $10,000.   However, the Coast Guard has suspended forwarding non-distress activations of properly registered 406 MHz EPIRBs to the FCC, unless activation was due to hoax or gross negligence, since these search and rescue cases are less costly to prosecute.   If you purchase a new or a used 406 MHz EPIRB, you MUST register it with NOAA. If you change your boat, your address, or your primary phone number, you MUST re-register your EPIRB with NOAA. If you sell your EPIRB, make sure the purchaser re-registers the EPIRB, or you may be called by the Coast Guard if it later becomes activated.   An FCC ship station license is no longer required to purchase or carry an EPIRB.   If you lend your EPRIB to someone, they MUST register it with NOAA   The online registration site contains a section for “Additional Information.” Use this section like a float plan, and let rescuers know how many passengers are aboard and your plans for the trip.  This information can be updated on a daily basis.   You can also fax another registration form documenting the new information, and the approximate time that this will be in effect, to the MCC at 1-301-568-8649. How to register You may register by visiting the SARSAT Beacon Registration page.   There is no charge for this service. IT MAY SAVE YOUR LIFE.   For more information see the NOAA SARSAT Homepage.   A 406 EPIRB will dramatically improve your chances and your boat's chances of survival in an emergency.  A Personal Locator Beacon provides almost the same level of protection, in a pocket-sized package, to an individual on land or water.   If you still own an older Class A or B EPIRB, which, as of February 1, 2009, is no longer monitored by COSPAS/SARSAT, you should upgrade to a Category I or II 406MHz EPIRB.  Linked to an internal or interfaced GPS receiver, 406 EPIRBs and PLBs allow instant notification of your identity and an accurate fix on your position, speeding the launch of a full-scale search and rescue effort. One thing is for sure, however: You must do your part in registering your EPIRB/PLB and keeping the emergency contact information up to date, so rescuers can validate the authenticity of the distress signal.     Alert***   FEBRUARY 1, 2009 Cospas-Sarsat ceased coverage of 121.5 MHz and 243 MHz Emergency Beacons - Click here for more information   -Pilots are reminded and encouraged to monitor 121.5 MHz from their cockpit  to listen for other aircraft that may be in distress.