I attended a presentation from an ACR rep regarding EPIRBs. She said one should activate your EPIRB if it's a case of life and death. However you would be hit with a $5000 fine if you activate one just because you happen run out of gas. I can understand and accept these extremes, but it got we wondering - what about the zillions of cases in between. Does anyone know of a more comprehensive set of guidelines, perhaps from the Coast Guard, on when EPIRBs should be activated?
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EPIRBs - When to activate
- Thread starter Roy
- Start date
An EPIRB signal is one that takes time for a response. The signal is picked up and processed by a USCG center. The data is then sent to the local CG station. If there is no position information, the CG is going to try to get verification by calling the boat owner and other contact numbers. If there is position information and the info is logical, the CG will initiate a response. Don't expect to set one off and have a helicopter appear five minutes later.
If you are in trouble, the first call should be made on the VHF, assuming you are in range of a CG station. There could be a fellow boater a mile away who can respond. Issue the mayday call on the VHF first. If you get a response, there is no need to activate the EPIRB. If you get no Mayday VHF response, activate the EPIRP.
If you are in trouble, the first call should be made on the VHF, assuming you are in range of a CG station. There could be a fellow boater a mile away who can respond. Issue the mayday call on the VHF first. If you get a response, there is no need to activate the EPIRB. If you get no Mayday VHF response, activate the EPIRP.