National Safe Boating Week Tip #1 - Carry an EPIRB or PLB

One of the most important safety devices you can carry on your boat is a Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) or an Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB). Both of these use National Oceanic and Atmosphere Administration (NOAA) satellites that can alert rescuers to your exact location if an emergency takes place.

An EPIRB is registered to a boat while a PLB is registered to an individual, but both are registered through the NOAA Beacon Registration website. The advantages of an EPIRB is that they float, can be activated just by being immersed under water and are required to be able to broadcast a distress beacon for 48 hours vs. 24 hours for a PLB. While PLBs are smaller and are less expensive than an EPIRB, they must be held or attached to a lifejacket or belt and they can only be manually activated. PLBs are also used by hikers, back-country skiers, hunters, and other outdoor enthusiasts.

Having an EPIRB for your boat and a PLB to take with you when you’re a guest on another boat, gives you the ability to summon help in an emergency virtually everywhere you go. Our friends at ACR have some great PLB and EPIRB options available, so check them out and order yours today.