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What is an EPIRB and How Many Types Are There?

Home » Boating » EPIRB (Emergency Position-Indicating Rescue Beacon) » What is an EPIRB and How Many Types Are There?

An EPIRB (Emergency Position-Indicating Radio Beacon) is a tracking transmitter that the Coast Guard uses to help track down people who are stranded at sea in a boat, or are in downed aircraft. The EPIRB is part of the Cospas-Sarsat Satellite System. The system is used to locate people who may be rescued at sea. EPIRBs are also part of the Global Maritime Distress Safety System.

There are three types of EPIRBs: EPIRBs for maritime emergencies, ELT (Emergency Locator Transmitters) that are used in aircraft, and PLBs (Personal Locator Beacons) that individuals carry.

• EPIRB: EPIRBs are composed of two types: one that transmits an analog signal at 121.5MHz, the other transmits two different signals: a digital signal at 406 MHz, and a low-power signal at 121.5MHz. The low-power signal is what's used to call for help. It is the signal rescuers use to home in on the person needing rescued. The EPIRB is activated when the person releases the bracket that holds the beacon.
• ELTs: The ELTs are carried by U.S. aircraft. ELTs were designed to use 121.5 MHz frequency to alert any aircraft that was flying overhead that help is required immediately. This signal that was released contained the information that the aircraft needed to know the signal's exact location.
• PLBs: These are personal units that are carried by each individual instead of by the aircraft or boat. If someone was traveling somewhere and got either stranded, lost, or hurt, that person would use their PLB to contact help. The homing signal that is released goes to a satellite, where the satellite narrows in on where the person is, and feeds this information to aircraft, letting them know within a 2 to 3 mile radius where the person is located.

Next Page: How Do EPIRBs Work?

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