Effective EPIRB Maintenance Tips

ByMathew F Updated on

Maintaining your Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) is critical to ensure its reliability in an emergency.

Regular EPIRB testing and maintenance ensures that when needed, your beacon will function correctly.

This means consistently checking that the housing is intact, the battery is in date, and that the device is properly registered and ready to send a distress signal during an unforeseen situation at sea.

Maintenance Schedule Overview

Your EPIRB’s maintenance schedule is pivotal to its performance.

Most manufacturers recommend a full servicing every 5 years, or as directed in the user manual.

Battery life generally ranges from 5-10 years, but always adhere to the specific recommendations for your device.

Here is an overview of actions to take:

MonthlyQuick visual inspection, ensuring the EPIRB housing is undamaged and secured
AnnuallyProfessional inspection and more thorough self-tests as recommended by the manufacturer.

Periodic Testing Procedures

Testing your EPIRB involves these steps:

1️⃣ Self-test: Conduct this test according to your EPIRB’s manual to ensure the beacon’s internal circuitry and GPS functionality are operational.

2️⃣ Battery check: Monitor the indicator light for battery strength during the test.

3️⃣ Professional servicing: For more comprehensive upkeep use accredited service providers to verify the full functionality of your EPIRB, including detailed battery inspection and replacement if necessary.

📝 Author’s Note: There are established guidelines for testing and servicing 406MHz EPIRBs, including annual verification as required by the International Maritime Organization (IMO).

Battery Management and Replacement

You need to replace your EPIRB’s battery periodically, with the interval usually starting from the date of commissioning of the EPIRB.

This interval is typically every 5 years, but you should always follow the manufacturer’s specific recommendations.

Replacement Steps:

  1. Verify the Expiry Date: Check the label on your EPIRB for the battery expiration date.
  2. Safety Measures: Ensure the EPIRB is switched to OFF or SAFE before commencing.
  3. Authorized Service: Have the battery replaced by authorized service providers to ensure that the replacement is performed according to the official guidelines.
  4. Testing Post-Replacement: Ensure the device is tested after the battery replacement to confirm it’s functioning correctly.
Battery Expiry DateThe battery expiry date is a critical date to track for EPIRB maintenance. As batteries age, their charge depletes, and they become unreliable.
Implications of ExpiryAn expired battery can fail when you need it the most. Proactively monitoring the battery expiry date helps prevent potential malfunctions.
Replacement RecordsDocument the battery replacement process, including the old and new expiration dates.

EPIRB Registration and Coding

A properly registered and coded EPIRB is essential for accurate identification and rapid assistance in an emergency.

Regularly updating your EPIRB’s registration information ensures that rescue authorities have the most current details in an emergency.

Your device carries a unique identifier known as a UIN (Unique Identification Number), which should be registered with the appropriate national authority.

In the United States, this is facilitated through the NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration).

You’re required to update your registration every two years or whenever changes occur in your emergency contact information or vessel details. This can usually be done online.

EPIRBs transmit a distress signal that includes a 15-digit code.

The first three digits are the country code, and the remaining numbers contain information like the type of beacon (EPIRB, for maritime use), your vessel’s MMSI (Maritime Mobile Service Identity) if applicable, and a serial number.

If you have a GPS-integrated EPIRB, it will also include position data.

Coding your EPIRB correctly is a one-time process usually done by the manufacturer or an authorized dealer.

This coded message is used by search and rescue teams to access registration data quickly, dispatching help efficiently based on the programmed information.

Emergency Preparedness

Efficient emergency preparedness involves maintenance and a systematic understanding of how to operate EPIRBs. Your safety and the effectiveness of rescue operations depend on this knowledge.

🎓 Training: You and your crew must regularly train on using both Category I and Category II EPIRBs.

Regular drills ensure immediate and correct response in a distress situation. Become familiar with the EPIRB devices on your vessel.

Lastly, all crew should know the storage locations, handling procedures, and activation processes for each device.

Frequently Asked

The International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) stipulates that EPIRBs on seafaring vessels must be tested and maintained regularly to ensure they meet functional requirements. Vessels are required to carry EPIRBs that are registered and properly mounted to be deployed in an emergency.

Some maintenance tasks, like routine inspections and testing, can be carried out by the EPIRB owner. However, tasks such as battery replacement and repairs should generally be done by a professional service provider. This ensures the device is serviced correctly and complies with all regulatory requirements.

Written by:

Mathew F

I’m the founder and chief editor here at Sailing Savvy. I spent a decade working as a professional mariner and currently, I mix those experiences with digital publishing. Welcome, and I hope that we can be the hub you need for safe passage.