EPIRB'S ???

[FELLOW-SHIP]

The other night watching TV surfing through the stations I came across a little bit of a tragedy at sea. I really can’t comment much about it other that 2 guys were floating out at sea I think here in South Florida needing to be rescued. Anyway two times boater saw these two guys and did not stop and pick them up (another example of our self serving –don’t get involved attitude) we see now a days in our society. Ended up costing one of the guys life and the other made it.
This has made me re think “the what if” scenario for my self. I have on board flairs, and flair guy, vhf radio, cell phone, sea anchor, sea tow, and always check my stuff like bilge pumps, batteries fully charged, good engine, etc. and have called lots of trips off for safety reasons.

My question is do you guys have a EPIRB on board?
Do you think you should have one??
They now cost approx $600.00 what do you think.

FellowShip

_______________________________________________

My motto: Just for the Grins

[NoBones]

Ken, I think my life is worth the $600
And the question is what-if.

See ya, Ken

[Fishjack]

Peter - I have an EPIRB on my boat. If I had to do over again I would look into the PLBs. A lot of the guys I know have bought and use the PLBs (Personal Locator Beacons).
These are registered to YOU not the boat so you can carry it with you out on anyone's boat.
One of the drawbacks to the PLB are the transmit time when activated. They are smaller and have less battery capacity.

Here is a little info on them -
PLBs

Most are using the ACR - this unit -

ACR aquafix

[Capt Chuck]

Agree No Bones, I got my ACR Aqua Fix from Jim at BOE.
I have it packed in a "Rapid Ditch" Bag along with a waterproof handheld VHF, Sunscreen, water , flares, strobe light, mirror, knife, minor first aid equipment etc.

[FELLOW-SHIP]

Thanks guys for this insight. I have looked at “from a distance” the ACR AQUA FIX and knew it used the same 406 frequency but did not realize that it provided that benefit of mobility with other boat usage.
Ha Churk
How do you like it now that you got one??
Did you get the interface with the onboard gps, or the one that is just the interface??

FellowShip

_______________________________________________

My motto: Just for the Grins

[cSickNick]

Hey Ken,

I saw that show also, pretty sad

I bought a EPIRB manually activated Cat II years back(actually from Jim at BOE!), . I like it in the fact that if all goes to $hit i have something to "pray" with.

Reading the diff between EPIRB vs PLB, you need both to cover different scenerios.

Big diff is "Both categories of EPIRBs are designed to activate when they are immersed in water, regardless of the position of the manual switch" vs "PLBs are manually activated only"

If i had a PLB, i would wear it. EPIRB is in the ditch bag.

PLB are great when you fish alone or as others stated using on others boats, hiking etc ...

It is on my list, but going for the raft this year and another survival suit. Working on saving the crew first, .... then myself

- Nick

[Capt Chuck]

Ha Churk

Ha FELLOW-slurp

I got the one with it's own built in GPS. The interface is not hooked up yet. I move the ditch bag around so a long wire would be necessary

[FELLOW-SHIP]

HOOPS - PROOF READING CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE

FellowShit

[RS]

I have the referenced PLB with GPS. I sometimes fish alone at night and was concerned about the effective range of a handheld radio while treading water. I keep it in my life vest pocket.

[Hooper]

I know they are not a sponsor of this site, but if you are in the market for an EPIRB, check out www.landfallnavigation.com I think you'll find they have the best prices anywhere.