An Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) and a Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) can be a boater's and adventure seeker's best friend. When activated, an EPIRB and PLB submit a signal with your coordinates to a geostationary satellite which is then relayed to a land station for rescue purposes. EPIRBs are used in maritime conditions, on boats and other watercraft, while PLBs are portable units carried by an individual, often by hikers in remote areas. In fact, until 2003, only residents of Alaska were able to use PLBs. The 406 MHz model (PLBs operate exclusively on this frequency) is one of the most popular products, mainly because a rescue signal can be instantly detected by a satellite upon activation.
Recently, the Equipped to Survive Foundation, an institution focusing on urban, wilderness, aeronautical and maritime survival techniques, procedures and equipment, released its results from a study on the effectiveness of a number of EPIRB and PLB models. One model in particular, manufactured by McMurdo Ltd., based in the United Kingdom, showed some eye-opening results. According to the report, the McMurdo Fastfind 406 PLB and the McMurdo Precision 406 GPS EPIRB generally failed to reveal locations except under ideal conditions, even when four to six GPS satellites showed strong signals. In fact, the McMurdo beacons reportedly failed to reveal locations in every test except those involving virtually ideal weather conditions - only slight swells and a glassy water surface. During testing, the PLB failed to provide a new location after being moved. The report indicates that the U.S. Coast Guard found in 2003 that McMurdo beacons were severely degraded by the presence of water in the antenna well.
If you or a loved one was injured because of a McMurdo EPIRB or PLB, it may be important to
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See Also
- Boats, Personal Watercraft & Jet Skis