Being able to communicate at sea is vital. If you find yourself in a sticky situation without the ability to call for help, then your chances of survival plummet. So, you have your VHF radio and cellular phone, but you need a satellite phone for your passage through remote areas. This brings us to the…
When it comes to maritime safety, understanding the differences between EPIRBs and PLBs can be crucial. The challenge often lies in determining which device is more suitable for your specific needs. Leveraging extensive research and a deep understanding of maritime safety protocols, I’ve dissected the key differences and similarities for you. The explanations are both…
It is crucial to have reliable marine emergency beacons on board. This guide clarifies the various types, addressing questions about their use and regulations. I know choosing the right beacons can seem overwhelming. But keep reading to understand each type so you can make an informed decision. Whether you’re a seasoned sailor or a boating…
This guide to Overboard Location Alert Systems (OLAS) addresses your need to understand and select the best device to enhance safety during your boating adventures. The fear of a man-overboard incident is real and can be overwhelming. As someone who understands the thrill and risks of boating, I share your concern for safety on the…
A personal locator beacon (PLB) is a vital, last-resort SOS emergency rescue device. PLBs are smaller land-based cousins of Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons (EPIRBs) used by boaters. PLBs use a 406 Mhz radio wave frequency distress signal to pinpoint your location and identification data to several satellites. This information is forwarded to local search…
The full name of EPIRB is Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon, and it performs a vital role in keeping mariners safe. As the name implies, EPIRBs are used in an emergency as a location finder for the rescue services to find the survivors of sailors in an emergency. At a Glance:1️⃣ The system is deployed…
An EPIRB (that stands for – Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon) is designed to activate search and rescue services (SAR) in an emergency at sea and provide sufficient data that is necessary to conduct the rescue operation. EPIRBs At a Glance:1️⃣ The system provides a quick and accurate location of the incident, enabling the most…
Let’s get straight into this by stating that the best satellite phone for sailing must use the Iridium Network. Why? Because Iridium is the only satellite communications network that has global coverage. So I’m not even going to bother recommending phones that use other satellite networks such as Inmarsat or Globalstar. If this were an…
Yes, it is certainly worth getting if you are out at sea and having trouble acquiring a signal to reach out for help. While the usage of your sat phone, airtime, and data may cost more, having a direct line and GPS could mean the difference between life and death. Out at sea, a satellite…
There are channels for emergencies and urgent matters only, boater-hailing channels, working channels for relevant communications, ship-to-ship channels, port operation channels, and weather channels. These are further divided into channels used by commercial vessels and recreational vessels. Additionally, some channels are restricted and intended for use by the United States Coast Guard (USGC) only. With…