On July 9, 2009, while registering my new ACR Electronics personal locator beacon (PLB) as directed, I came across a safety message on the ACR website www.acrelectronics. com. Specifically, to quote, “Cobham Life Support, ACR Products, the world’s leader in safety and survival technologies, is urging all EPIRB and PLB owners to double check their 15-character identification code registration.” On July 13, 2009, as I was writing this article about the ACR safety message, a USCG Safety Alert titled, EPIRB and PLB Registra- tion arrived by email from USCG personnel in First Coast Guard District, New England, nearly simultaneously with an email notice from Richard Hiscock who sends marine-related news daily to a list of concerned citizens and professionals. This safety message from a manufacturer and the USCG was prompted by a situation associated with a recent marine casualty. During the investigation it was noted that the Unique Identification Number (UIN) number on the NOAA proof-of-registration decal affixed to the boat’s EPIRB did not match the UIN manufactured into the EPRIB and printed on the case. Somewhere in the registration process, the UIN had been presented or entered incorrectly. Hopefully most of the following information is familiar to fishermen who own an Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) or Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) However, in light of the ACR safety message it bears repeating. After purchasing an EPIRB, GPIRB, or PLB, the owner of the instrument is required by law to register the 406 MHz beacon. The Registration Form included in the box can be filled-out and mailed to the company, or the registration can be taken care of online at www.beacon registration. noaa. gov/. The information required for beacon registration includes name and address of owner, multiple phone numbers of owner as well as the various phone numbers of one or two emergency contract persons. The key information in this registration process is the 15 character Unique Identification Number (UIN) which is printed on the beacon itself and probably appears on a sticker already placed on the mail-in Registration Form by the manufacturer. Upon receipt of a mailed or online beacon registration, the SARSAT/ NOAA personnel enter the data and follow up by sending a confirmation letter, a copy of the registration form, and a proof-of-registration decal which should be affixed to the beacon. The USCG Marine Safety Alert about EPIRBs and PLBs “strongly recommends” that all vessel owners and operators: 1) Check that the UIN on the NOAA proof-of-registration decal matches the UIN printed on the body of the EPIRB or PLB (if you have one). In addition you may go to www.beaconregistration.noaa. gov to confirm that the UIN of the EPRIB or PLB matches the UIN of the NOAA decal listed in the NOAA database. If the numbers and letters do not match exactly contact NOAA immediately at 1-888-212-SAVE or 301-817-4515 and give the correct numbers. 2) EPIRB and PLB registration must be renewed every two years. Go to the website and make sure your EPIRB registration has not expired; also make any changes necessary in the phone numbers, owner/operator, and emergency contact names. 3) Register your new or previously unregistered EPIRB or PLB on the website and remember that registration is mandated by federal law. Alternatively you can print out the registration form from www.beaconregistration.noaa.gov, fill it in and mail it to: Beacon Registration NOAA/NESDIS NSOF, E/SP3 4231 Suitland Rd Suitland, MD 20746 How might an improperly registered beacon hinder search and rescue? The Search and Rescue Satellite-Aided Tracking System (SARSAT) has stationary satellites that can receive a signal from an EPIRB and communicate to SARSAT that an EPIRB signal has been received. If the EPIRB is correctly registered, NOAA can use the communication from the stationary satellite to look up the registration and can then call the owner and/or the emergency contract numbers listed on the registration form to ask for the general vicinity of the boat. Only the orbiting satellites can determine the location of the EPIRB that is signaling (unless the EPIRB has a built-in GPS system). The orbiting satellites fly by every 60 to 75 minutes, so it could be 75 minutes or more before the actual location of the emergency signal can be determined electronically. Search and rescue teams can be sent to a general area based on a call to the owner or an emergency contact while awaiting the exact location of the EPIRB signal sent from the orbiting satellite. Thus, correct registration can save considerable precious rescue time. Correct registration in the case of a marine casualty can make the difference between life and death. Check yours the next time you are on your boat. I have already received a letter from SARSAT Beacon Registration asking me to check the number printed on the NOAA decal against the number printed on the beacon. Fortunately, my numbers match. Please take this opportunity to do the cross-check and please also inform others in your harbor and town to do the same. And finally, on a related matter, as of February 1, 2009, the 121.5 and 243 MHz frequencies were discontinued. NOAA is only responding to the 406MHz frequency. If you have not updated to a 406MHZ beacon, your emergency signal will not be recognized. |
