EPIRB in bracket or ditch bag?

[SailFastTri]

anyone contemplating a hydrostatic-release should read the literature about at what pressure they are designed to release. Mine was designed to release several meters below water (in other words, after I've sunk the boat and it's gone under).

I decided not to use the "float free" hydrostatic-release bracket. (My boat is an unsinkable multihull design that could have it hulls flooded but would never reach the depths needed to trigger release.) I keep it on a shelf, and it would float if we ever capsize.

[Rustic Charm]

Originally Posted by IslandHopper

Can't say I have heard of Cat 3, 4 & 5 EPIRB'S, as far as I know there's only 1 & 2.....

Australia (AMSA) did introduce a standard (AS/NZ 4280.1) for a Class 3 EPIRB, these where supposedly specifically designed for use in Australia and ACR used to market one as such, but these where discontinued due to the confusion created by naming them a Class 3, obviously ACR are still making the EPIRB but the new models are marketed as a Cat 1 or 2 that "meet's Class 3 (AS/NZ 4280.1)", it's not called a Class 3 anymore....

Old.....

ACR ResQmate 406MHz EPIRB
ACR ResQmate Class 3 EPIRB

New.....

https://www.whitworths.com.au/main_i...144&item=74530

Of course we used to have a whole bunch of different Classes A, B, S, C & Inmarsat-E, but these are all obsolete and no longer recognised.....

I thought I read someone talking about the other categories, but maybe not. My mistake. I thought there was just the two, then manuel/automatic, GPS or not.

[Rustic Charm]

Originally Posted by SailFastTri

anyone contemplating a hydrostatic-release should read the literature about at what pressure they are designed to release. Mine was designed to release several meters below water (in other words, after I've sunk the boat and it's gone under).

I decided not to use the "float free" hydrostatic-release bracket. (My boat is an unsinkable multihull design that could have it hulls flooded but would never reach the depths needed to trigger release.) I keep it on a shelf, and it would float if we ever capsize.

I thought 'float free' was different to a unit with a hydrostatic release?

[goboatingnow]

Originally Posted by tedsherrin

I thought 'float free' was different to a unit with a hydrostatic release?

No float free is a hydro static release

[AussieWayne]

One hydro static release wherever you think is right on your boat so that it can be successfully and freely deployed if submerged plus one in the ditch bag plus at least two PLBs. All to be GPS enabled. Yes more expensive but...............
Just my thoughts.
AussieWayne