Make sure you're shipshape in time
The changeover to the digital EPIRB in Queensland has been brought forward to 1st November 2008
To avoid high demand close to the closure of the 121.5 MHz service, commercial operators and recreational boaters are encouraged to purchase and register a 406 MHz EPIRB well before the commencement of the legislative requirement on 1 November 2008.

• You must replace your 121.5 Mhz EPIRB with a 406Mhz digital distress beacon by 1 November 2008.  121.5 Mhz beacons are no longer legal safety equipment in Queensland after 1 November 2008 and a 406Mhz model is your only option.
• Ensure your new 406Mhz beacon is registered with the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA).  Registration is free - go to http://www.amsa.gov.au/
• You must advise AMSA of any change to ownership and vessel details
• All vessels operating beyond smooth or partially smooth waters or more than 2 nautical miles from land are required by law to carry a 406Mhz EPIRB from 1 November 2008.  Fines will apply.
• The current 121.5Mhz analogue EPIRB signals will continue to be monitored only until 1 February 2008.

What does this mean for me?
If you currently have an old analogue 121.5MHz EPIRB or PLB, you will need to replace this unit with the modern 406MHz Digital EPIRB or PLB.
New legislation applies to the carriage of distress beacons in each state.  In NSW if you are required to carry an EPIRB on board your vessel or in your life raft you must comply by 1st July 2008.
In Queensland you must have a 406MHz EPIRB by 1st November 2008.  To comply with the new regulations, you must register your 406 MHz EPIRB or PLB with AMSA, which you can do online, by email or fax.

The Difference between 406MHz and 121.5 MHz
The analogue 121.5MHz signal will no longer be monitored by Search and Rescue from 1st February 2009. The old 121.5 MHz signal was not a dedicated distress signal frequency, causing many false alarms and wasted efforts by search and rescue. Its accuracy was also poor, with a search radius at best of 12 nautical miles.
The new digital 406 MHz frequency is a dedicated frequency used for search and rescue used by the COPSAT-SARSAT system. As the signal transmission is digital it can also send extra data that was unavailable with the old analogue system, such as vessel type, who you are, contact details etc. All this information is registered when you register your beacon with AMSA. The 406 MHz signal also has a much better search radius of 2.3 nautical miles. Add GPS into this and the search area could be a little as 0.05 nautical miles.

EPIRB, PLB or Both?
An EPIRB (Electronic Positioning Indicating Radio Beacon) is a device that transmits on a dedicated frequency, detected by the COPSAT-SARSAT satellite system. An EPIRB is designed to be both water activated when out of their bracket and manually activated. An EPIRB must be able to float with its antenna in an upright position when deployed, and it must be able to operate for a minimum of 48hrs. It also must have a built in strobe to attract SAR when they are in proximity. An EPIRB is registered to the vessel. ACR EPIRB’s also have a built in 121.5 MHz transmitter to aid
search and rescue pinpoint your location.

A PLB (personal locator beacon) transmits information in the same way as an EPIRB. It transmits on 406MHz, can come with built in GPS for greater accuracy and it sends all the information an EPIRB can. The real differences are: A PLB is designed as a personal beacon to be carried on the person, in a pocket or attached to your life jacket. It is only manually activated. It has no water activation, so you need to be conscious to activate it. It must float, but only so it does not get lost, not necessarily for the antenna to be in its optimum position. It must operate for 24 hours. A PLB does not have to have a strobe light. A PLB is registered to a person, not a vessel. ACR PLB’s also have a built in 121.5 MHZ transmitter to aid search and rescue pinpoint your location.

Does Boat Scene sell the latest 406Mhz EPIRBs?
Yes, we stock the latest in 406Mhz EPIRBs - the ACR Satellite 2 406Mhz EPIRB (Manually deployable, water activated)  It is the worlds smallest 406MHz EPIRB that meets all regulations and is fully approved world wide.  A specifications sheet can be found here:  ACR Electronics Satellite 2 406Mhz EPIRB Cat 2 and they retail in store for $500.  Contact us for more information.