As the boating season rapidly approaches people are starting to imagine the wonderful time they will have with their family and friends on the water. This time of year people start to check for any maintenance that may be needed after a boat has been sitting through the cold (or cool) winter months. Preparation is always a good thing.
If you plan on heading offshore one of the most important pieces of equipment you should consider having is an EPIRB (Emergency Positioning Indicating Radio Beacon). Quite simply, if you have one on your vessel, and you have an emergency requiring assistance, rescuers will be able to find you! These devices have saved many lives since they were first introduced in the 1970s.
How do they work? First the unit needs to be registered so when activated the Coast Guard will know who owns it. Each EPIRB unit has a unique serial number and now most incorporate GPS technology that will transmit the exact location of the unit. Once activated the unit will transmit a radio wave approximately 24,000 miles into space to a satellite which in turn notifies the Coast Guard and then Coast Guard resources are deployed. When time is of the essence, and lives are in the balance, this is a huge time saver!
It seems like a no brainer but it's amazing the number of vessels that go offshore without them and the number of boat owners that don't even know they exist. Check with your local marine supply. They will be able to help you find the unit that best fits your boating activities.
You can find more detailed information at the U. S. Coast Guard Navigation Center.
Safe Boating!
