A Sailor’s Guide To EPIRB Requirements & Compliance
Regulatory requirements for Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons (EPIRBs) are governed internationally and domestically.
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) mandates global EPIRB standards, requiring some vessels to use Category I EPIRBs, as detailed in Resolution MSC.471(101).
U.S. regulations vessel requirements for EPIRBs are outlined in Title 46 of the Code of Federal Regulations.
Compliance is enforced by the U.S. Coast Guard, emphasizing the importance of proper registration and maintenance of these lifesaving devices.
SOLAS mandates commercial vessels to have EPIRBs meeting IMO standards, with boats under treaty nations needing automatic deployment for quick distress alerting.
Technical Thresholds & Requirements
The latest IMO requirements for EPIRBs mandate the inclusion of internal AIS frequency, 406 MHz channel, and GNSS receiver in every EPIRB installed on a ship after July 1, 2022.
š Author Note: Make sure your next EPIRB test will survey the latest IMO rules.
Maintenance and Testing
New rules require shore-based maintenance to include checking the AIS message transmission and content validity.
Suitable testing equipment like the MRTS-7M is recommended for this purpose.
The MRTS-7M is highlighted as a convenient testing tool for verifying signal channels, including satellite, homing, AIS, and GNSS, ensuring compliance with new AIS EPIRB requirements.