Jan
11
Offshore sailors who carry either an on-vessel EPIRB or a transportable Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) are reminded that from end January 2009 the 121.2/243 MHz waveband ceases to be monitored as an alert frequency.
After this date, beacons transmitting on this frequency will only be used for localised homing, so for the most part they are redundant.
RYA Cruising Manager Stuart Carruthers explained: “Nowadays modern beacons transmitting on 406 MHz offer many advantages over analogue 121.5/243 MHz beacons. “With a 406 MHz beacon, the position of the distress can be relayed to rescue services more quickly, more reliably and with greater accuracy. These will not be affected by the change.”However, some of the older devices transmit on 121.5/243 MHz only and it is these that will become redundant as a means of emergency alert following the decision to discontinue monitoring this frequency.
“The important thing is that people check their beacons and make sure that they are not redundant. From a safety point of view, this is paramount,” he added.
The frequency on which your EPIRB transmits should be clearly marked on the casing so it’s an easy matter to check.
Cospas-Sarsat, the organization that runs the satellite system supporting these alert devices, has decided to cease satellite processing following recognition of the limitations of the 121.5/243 MHz beacons and the superior capabilities of the 406 MHz alerting system.
In addition, only about one alert out of every fifty on the analogue system was a genuine distress.This has a significant effect on search and rescue resources and was a major factor in the decision to discontinue the service.
However, 121.5/243 will continue to provide a short-range homing signal once an initial call for assistance has been made and rescue services are in range of the casualty.
For further information the MCA’s Marine Guidance Notice gives you a full overview of the changes.
October 5th at 8:02 am
Mobilarm has improved on the 406 MHz units.
With the focus organisations and individuals have on safety, reduction of recognised risk will always be an inherent focal point, and our experience shows that most companies and vessel owners these days have well established procedures for conducting rescue of crew when they are seen going Man Overboard (MOB).
However, logic determines that the following two questions also need to be answered; “How are you made aware that they have gone MOB when no-one does see them, and secondly how do you track them in the water?”
Mobilarm’s current technology resolves both these issues. In summary, our solutions is;
Mobilarm V100 VPIRB
Mobilarm’s maritime survivor locating device, the Mobilarm V100 VPIRB, is the first fully automated device to transmit a Mayday Man Overboard distress message and real-time GPS coordinates via VHF DSC (Digital Selective Calling) and VHF voice to all VHF receivers in range, including the vessel or station the MOB came from. The localised alarm to the people in the best position to save the casualty – those closest to the incident – means the chances of survival are greatly improved.
Mobilarm’s VPIRB solution will significantly increase the safe working environment on vessels, platforms and wharf areas.
In expectation of some common questions being asked, our VPIRB unit uses no power while switched on until it is activated by a MOB event, has a service check facility to confirm all operational tasks each three months, requires no regular servicing other than this check and has a battery life of approximately five years. There are no other fees or charges for GPS service or satellite access. It will continually send a GPS coordinate to the VHF/DSC radio and these can then transfer the GPS location to your map plotter. This signal is sent approximately every 5 minutes for 30 minutes and then every 10 minutes for the active life of the battery (12 to 18 hours). This is usually ample time to perform the rescue when the MOB alarm is raised immediately.
October 5th at 8:28 am
Thanks for the update Tony.