Which EPIRB to Buy and Where Should I Mount it ?

[Otia]

Originally Posted by SailFastTri

Read again what I wrote in post #11 above. A hydrostatic release will not deploy automatically until AFTER your boat has sunk. That may help your decision.

I did read. But I'm not convinced; 1.5m is not so deep...

[SailFastTri]

Originally Posted by Otia

I did read. But I'm not convinced; 1.5m is not so deep...

If you mount it near the centerline that's plenty deep unless you've got quite a large boat. You've got the right info -- it's your choice.

[Otia]

I'm getting to the conclusion that I'll get a class I for the "hit a container" no warning case, and it a situation where you I would see it coming I would take the EPIRB with me in the liferaft.

[savoir]

I bought one of these from Defender 4 years ago for $1,000. They sure have come down in price. I'm against the auto float style but that's your call I guess. I reckon that if the unit is mounted in the cockpit then it is going to get bashed or stolen. If it is mounted below then it may catch on something and not float free as you had hoped. Others differ on that issue.

SMARTFIND PLUS™ 406 MHz EPIRB With Built-In GPS

On my harness I have clipped one of these and a strobe.

SafeLink PRO PLB With GPS

[Dragon Lady]

We're about to mount our EPIRP in our cat and the current thinking is to put it near the escape hatch in the bathroom, just in case the boat is inverted when you need to deploy it.

[SimonV]

I see you already bought your epirb, I bought mine in the states and later found that I could not register it in Australia as the US ones are hard wired with a US identifier. I had to register the Fast find plus using a friends address in California. depending on the brand some can be re-programed when you get home and given an Australian identifier.

[barnakiel]

I would consider one or two of the new ACR toys - with GPS confirm, sms posting, etc..

Together with their self/testing + 'I am OK' service they make a lot of sense.

Both EPIRB and PLB available too.

b.

[psneeld]

Another thought is to buy 2 plbs (for the price difference)...mount one near the skipper's emergency station (helm possibly) and the active crewmember can wear the other. Redundancy and if the deckhand goes in they have the best locator available (yes...true long range sailors it may not matter as much but then the arguement for GPS goes out because minutes won't matter in a several day rescue operation anyhow)....Remember the COSPAT/SARSAT system is designed to work well without GPS.

[Factor]

What Simon V said - check with AMSA and make sure you can register it here or you will be up for another one.

[PamlicoTraveler]

I think an EPIRB on the boat with a SPOT in the ditchbag is a good combination. Just make sure the SPOT batteries are charged. A SPOT lasts for months and is not limited to the 48 hours. If you set off the EPIRB and use the SPOT for the search and rescue to find you, that's belt and suspenders.

[psneeld]

Originally Posted by PamlicoTraveler

I think an EPIRB on the boat with a SPOT in the ditchbag is a good combination. Just make sure the SPOT batteries are charged. A SPOT lasts for months and is not limited to the 48 hours. If you set off the EPIRB and use the SPOT for the search and rescue to find you, that's belt and suspenders.

Just remember spot uses a different satellite system (Globalstar) and that has been unreliable for many users desite some happy customers.

Not sure what "rescue" organizations it has been certified although it has met the FCC and associated certs for being an electronic device...not necessarily rescue oriented and that's what you are betting your life on...

[Otia]

Originally Posted by psneeld

Just remember spot uses a different satellite system (Globalstar) and that has been unreliable for many users desite some happy customers.

and Globalstar does not have a "global" coverage; it does not track you in the Pacific nor the Indian Ocean. See coverage map: Coverage Map - Data

[Liam Wald]

I bought an ACR GLOBALFIX iPRO. If I remember correctly, I bought it on line from THE GPS STORE and it was $450 less than West Marine. GPS STORE is a factory authorized re-seller.

[Otia]

Originally Posted by PamlicoTraveler

I think an EPIRB on the boat with a SPOT in the ditchbag is a good combination. Just make sure the SPOT batteries are charged. A SPOT lasts for months and is not limited to the 48 hours. If you set off the EPIRB and use the SPOT for the search and rescue to find you, that's belt and suspenders.

Good strategy though, if you replace the SPOT with:
Home

[goboatingnow]

Originally Posted by SimonV

I see you already bought your epirb, I bought mine in the states and later found that I could not register it in Australia as the US ones are hard wired with a US identifier. I had to register the Fast find plus using a friends address in California. depending on the brand some can be re-programed when you get home and given an Australian identifier.

The US epirb registry will quite happily accept overseas address my EPIRB and my PLB are registered there

Note the fastfind plb can be programmed for the austrialian identifier any Mcmurdo dealer has the software. They are not hard wired with any identifier. But I find the dealers reluctant to tell you this. Anyways the US registry is the best place to register PLBs worldwide. I have my rescue+ acr unit so registered

Dave