EPIRB

We purchased our EPIRB, Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon, at West Marine over the 4th of July weekend. We decided on this expensive addition to our lard for safety reasons. The EPIRB is used to request help during dire situations like sinking, or a medical emergency on board. All commercial vessels are mandated to carry EPIRB. Organized sailboat races also require them. As cruisers, we do not have to carry an EPIRB aboard Mystic, however, it was an easy decision to do so.

ACR Electronics GlobalFix™
PRO GPS/EPIRB
Category II Manual Release

The EPIRB uses a radio beacon to transmit your exact GPS location to rescue services during an emergency. After purchase, you register your EPIRB with NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration). All of your vessel and passenger information is registered. Should you activate the unit, your distress signal is transmitted using the Cospas-Sarsat Polar Orbiting Satellite System. The act of setting off the EPIRB tells everyone who can receive it's signal that you are in trouble. It indicates exactly where you are and continues to send information automatically for up to 2 days. This frees you up to deal with the emergency situation. You can also take the EPIRB with you if you abandon ship. If you use the EPIRB to save yourself during an emergency, the company will give you a new one.

It's the kind of gear that you hope you never need but should you need it, you need it very badly!