One of the most stressful parts of an emergency is wondering if anyone heard your call. RLS-enabled beacons receive a signal back from the satellite that triggers a , confirming that your distress message has been received by rescue authorities. 4. Smartphone Connectivity (NFC)
These come in a "float-free" bracket. If the boat sinks, a hydrostatic release unit (HRU) pops the lid at about 1.5–4 metres depth, allowing the EPIRB to float to the surface and activate automatically. Essential for commercial vessels and serious offshore cruisers . which epirb should i buy
Traditional EPIRBs talk to satellites. AIS EPIRBs talk to nearby ships . If you’re in a busy shipping lane, a nearby tanker might see your distress signal on their bridge display within minutes—long before a Coast Guard helicopter arrives. 3. Return Link Service (RLS) One of the most stressful parts of an
A is smaller and registered to a person , not a boat. Smartphone Connectivity (NFC) These come in a "float-free"
These must be manually pulled from their bracket and activated by a person. They are more compact and affordable, making them popular for coastal boaters who keep a grab bag ready. 2. AIS Integration (The Game Changer) Modern beacons like the ACR GlobalFix V5 Go to product viewer dialog for this item. and Ocean Signal EPIRB3 Go to product viewer dialog for this item. now include AIS.
Many 2026 models use . By holding your phone near the beacon, you can use an app (like the Ocean Signal App) to check battery health and self-test results without wasting the beacon's emergency battery life. When should you buy a PLB instead?