Personal Locator Beacons

[Woodnaut]

I get offshore as often as I can, but since I have a smaller boat I have to wait on the weather and pick my days. Since I head 20+ miles offshore whenever I get a chance, I though it might be a good idea to have a pair of PLBs (Personal Locator Beacons) on board - one on my daughter's life jacket on one on mine. The write-up on these things on several web sites looked pretty good and they seem to be credited with saving many lives. Any of you guys have a PLB (or EPIRB) aboard your vessel? Anyone have any related stories? BTW - these things aren't cheap.

Moderator - please move this post to the correct forum if this is in the wrong spot

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Personal Locator Beacons

they are lifesavers, if they are ever needed. i would have at least one on the boat, venturing that far out. you breakdown out there, you are an awfully small target to find.

 

[arks]

Re: Personal Locator Beacons

I sea kayak with a group on the Chesapeake every week in-season, and we often find ourselves out well after dark. I always have the (required) flashlight onboard, but also keep a PLB strobe on my PFD. That little sucker is BRIGHT! I've never had the "opportunity" to actually use the PLB on the water but it's checked every time the PFD goes on. I consider it really cheap insurance. BTW- I'm pretty sure PLB's are only listed as an emergency distress signal in the INLAND Rules of the Road, not the International Rules. Of course, any device that gets attention is a good one!
As far as an EPIRB, I'd definitely have one if I went offshore more than a mile or two regularly. Yes they're expensive, but how much is your life worth? Again, cheap insurance. They can be rented (short-term) from Boat/US for a reasonable cost, too.

 

[Dovekie]

Re: Personal Locator Beacons

This may be of interest. 'http://www.findmespot.com/' (remove quotes to follow link)

I contemplate purchasing one, because of locations boated &/or travelled.
As yet don't have any other information.

We're socked in with ice here now, though I did consider launching just S of here as it's an interesting time to be on the water.
http://ice-glaces.ec.gc.ca/prods/WIS27CT/20080319180000_WIS27CT_0003655103.gif

Good luck.

 

[Outsider]

Re: Personal Locator Beacons

... but also keep a PLB strobe on my PFD

I believe the PLB he's referring to is an EPIRB that is registered to a person instead of a vessel. I wasn't aware a flashlight was required, must be a state thing.

I have a PLB and carry it on any vessel I'm on. The drawback is it can't be automatically deployed, and it only has a 24 hour battery ...

 

[arks]

Re: Personal Locator Beacons

... but also keep a PLB strobe on my PFD
I believe the PLB he's referring to is an EPIRB that is registered to a person instead of a vessel. ...

No, my PLB strobe is a "Personal Locator Beacon" which is simply a quick-flashing white strobe light. I don't own an EPIRB.

The flashlight is required equipment for any paddle-powered vessel operated after dark.

 

[RubberDuckie]

Re: Personal Locator Beacons

If you google "PLB" you get hits on an EPIRB type device, not a strobe light. I am pretty sure this is what the original poster is looking for information and opinions on.

 

[Outsider]

Re: Personal Locator Beacons

I believe the PLB he's referring to ...

The 'he" is Woodnaut. And like I said, any flashlight requirement must be a state thing ...

 

[Boatist]

Re: Personal Locator Beacons

All boats in California are required to have a light after Dark. Only a nut would go out after dark without a way to show other boaters where your are. As you go up in size then you need more lights like anchor light and navigation lights.

EPIRB (Emergency Postion Indicating Radio Beacon) is great in warm water or if your just dead in the water but for cold water with a person in the water probably no point.

We do carry the personal strobe light for everyone and also pratice Man overboard drill with a basketball. Something everyone should do if go off shore and not only in good weather when it easy.

 

[Longjack]

Re: Personal Locator Beacons

May be a unusual question, but here it goes...

Understand that a PLB with GPS is essential when perhaps ending up in the water with only a life jacket.... but is there a policy/rule for activating one when in a boat that has broken down out in the open water and no other means of communciation or contact for help are available?

 

[Wotam]

Re: Personal Locator Beacons

>"activating one when in a boat that has broken down out in the open water and no other means of communciation or contact for help are available"

If you believed the craft or occupants were in danger I don't think you'd get in trouble. You might be expected to abandon your vessel if they sent a helicopter after you. This advice assumes you have an appropriate radio on board... and you're out of range. (i.e. EPIRB is not a substitute for a radio).

<"cold water with a person in the water probably no point."

The new units with integrated GPS can provide distress/locate info to the authorities in as little as 3 minutes. Cold water or not, it's the best (only) chance you've got.

 

[Longjack]

Re: Personal Locator Beacons

In my earlier post, was assuming that the PLB was to be used as a last resort, i.e. no other forms of comunication available. Case in point, a boat loosing all power in the eastern Bahamas and drifting into wide open ocean...
Thanks.