EPIRBs

Choosing EPIRBs and PLBs for marine emergency alerting

An EPIRB or PLB is not a substitute for trip planning, seamanship or current safety requirements, but it is an important part of an emergency communication setup for many Australian boaters. This category is focused on distress beacons used to help alert search and rescue services when a serious incident occurs offshore, along the coast or in remote waterways. The right choice depends on whether the beacon is intended for the vessel, for an individual crew member or for a smaller craft where space and carry weight matter.

EPIRBs are commonly associated with vessel-based emergency alerting, while PLBs are compact personal beacons that can suit kayaking, sailing, tender work, remote fishing and crew carry kits. Before relying on any product for compliance, check the current rules for your state or territory, your operating distance from shore and the type of vessel you are using. Beacon registration, battery expiry dates and easy access during an emergency are all practical points to check before each season.

Use this page for beacon selection, then connect it with the rest of your safety setup. For flotation and personal wear items, compare the lifejackets and PFDs category. For visual and audible distress gear, review marine signalling equipment. If you are building a complete onboard safety kit, marine first aid kits and sailing tethers and harnesses may also be relevant.

What to check before buying

• Whether the beacon is intended for vessel mounting, grab-bag storage or personal carry.
• Battery expiry date, service interval and registration requirements.
• Activation method, strobe or locator features and whether the unit is easy to handle with wet hands.
• Storage position, especially if the beacon needs to be reached quickly by crew.
• Compatibility with the rest of your safety plan, including communications, flotation and signalling gear.

For trailer boaters, offshore fishers and coastal cruisers, the most useful setup is usually one that is easy to find, easy to explain to crew and checked regularly. A beacon stored deep in a locker may be less practical than one placed in a labelled grab bag or a consistent emergency position. Consider how the beacon will be used by someone unfamiliar with the boat, and make sure the instructions, registration details and expiry information are kept current.

EPIRBs and PLBs are different from general signalling equipment and lifejackets: signalling products help attract attention visually or audibly, lifejackets assist with flotation, and EPIRBs and PLBs focus on emergency alerting as part of a broader marine safety system.