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Queensland Transport
Home > Safety > EPIRBs

EPIRBs (Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons)

All ships operating beyond smooth and partially smooth waters must carry an EPIRB if more than two nautical miles from land.

An EPIRB is an important distress signalling and position-indicating device. It emits a two-tone radio signal that may be picked up by aircraft and satellites.

important boating alertIf it is a requirement to carry an EPIRB as part of your safety equipment, from 1 November 2008, it must be a 406 MHz digital EPIRB.

You must register your 406 MHz beacon* with the Australian Maritime Safety Authority. The Australian Maritime Safety Authority must also be advised of any change to ownership and vessel details.

More information about the 121.5 MHz EPIRB phase out (PDF**, 62KB).





The most common types of EPIRBs are the analogue 121.5 MHz and digital 406MHz.

While in principal both of these EPIRBs do the same thing, the 406 MHz is far superior and has the following advantages:

The 121.5/243 satellite service will be discontinued in February 2009.

To activate a 121.5 MHz EPIRB, switch it on, pull out the aerial and if possible use the lanyard to tie it to the boat or yourself and place it in the water (this improves the signal).

406 MHz EPIRBs come in two different types. One requires manual activation, the other will automatically activate when submerged in water. To activate manually the antenna must be vertical. The on button is protected by a sliding door, which is fitted with a tamper seal. After three minutes a red light will flash, indicating the ERIRB is transmitting. It should have a clear view to the sky to maximise its signal. Those that activate automatically can also be activated manually and can be used if the ship is in imminent danger but is not sinking.

All EPIRB activations are treated as maydays and should only be used if the ship and or crew are in grave danger. They should be used as a last resort only. Other communications and signalling equipment like marine radios, flares, vsheet and mobile phone should be used first. Search and rescue authorities respond to all activations therefore it is important to let them know immediately if assistance is no longer required. There is no penalty for inadvertently activating an EPIRB but either radio the local volunteer marine radio organisation or call Rescue Coordination Centre’s 24 hour emergency number on 1800 641 792. To avoid accidental activations store EPIRBs in an accessible place away from gear and passengers.

Like any electronic equipment, EPIRBs require extra care – they must be kept clean and in good condition. The battery must be replaced before the expiry date and, at this time, must be serviced by the manufacturer or an authorised agent. If the unit is unserviceable, dispose of it thoughtfully by either returning it to the manufacturer or agent. Unwanted EPIRBs can be disposed responsibly in the collection bins at any of the Battery World* stores around Australia.

Further information about EPIRBs and distress beacons can be found on the AMSA* website.

Register with Pains Wessex to receive a reminder of the expiry date of your EPIRB at http://www.painswessex.com.au/*.

 

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Last updated 23 May 2008