this week will highlight relevant weather... and safety specific
public service announcements... for the recreational boating public.
Todays topic is emergency position indicating radio beacons.
The cospas-sarsat system is an international satellite-based search
and Rescue system used to locate emergency radio beacons
transmitting on a frequency of 406 mhz. Since 1982... the
cospas-sarsat system has been instrumental in the Rescue of over
30,000 individuals worldwide and more than 6,700 individuals in the
United States. Within the United States... the National oceanic and
atmospheric administration is the lead representative to the
cospas-sarsat organization.
Emergency position indicating radio beacons... or epirbs... are a type
of emergency radio Beacon developed for use in marine environments.
Other types of emergency radio beacons such as personal locator
beacons are available for different applications... however their
effectiveness can be compromised when used in the marine
environment. 406 mhz epirbs are divided into two categories.
Category I epirbs are activated automatically or may be activated
manually. Category ii epirbs can only be activated manually. Either
of these two types of epirbs may be equipped with GPS which will
help Rescue forces locate you more quickly. An epirb often serves as
the last line of defense when disaster strikes. All types of epirbs
are becoming increasingly affordable and all mariners should
investigate procuring one, especially those operating in harsh
environments or offshore areas.
Once your Purchase is made... make sure that you Register your
epirb which is mandatory. The information you provide on your
registration may help Rescue forces find you faster in an emergency.
This information also allows Rescue coordination center personnel to
determine if a distress alert is real or false and prevent the
needless dispatch of Rescue forces to locate a false alert. You may
Register online at www.Beaconregistration.NOAA.Gov.
For more information on cospas-sarsat or epirbs visit:
www.Sarsat.NOAA.Gov.
To learn more... visit the National safe boating
Council online at www.Safeboatingcouncil.Org.
Visit the National Weather Service Wilmington at
www.Weather.Gov/ilm.
