* EPIRB-EPRIB ~ what do you need?

[Dads Dream]

Help me understand what I need onboard.... The EPIRB won't catch a single fish, but is it a USCG req for charter boats?

I usually go out only up to 30-35 miles but that's it....sometimes I will run north to Portland area....and south toward Cape Ann- and spend some time in the MV, Buzz Bay, Eliz Is, etc.

Then WHAT brand? What model.....?

What do you guys carry onboard??

[gut fish ?]

the 406mz or 40?? I beliave charters need them if your go out to the eez 12nm out

[WAHOONBOX]

HOW ABOUT A ROLL CALL ON EPIRBS HERE GUYS! LET'S SHARE THE KNOWLEDGE HERE WITH THE DREAM

[Tuna Taxi]

ACR GlobalFix 406Mhz, either automatic or manual. Hands down the best, and they are all priced in a similar range.

As for it not catching any fish with an EPIRB, you are correct. But it may be the difference between coming back home live clients or searching for dead ones. Don't skimp on this little piece of gear. I don't charter and I've got 2 onboard.

[SeaBiscuit]

I am not a charter. I use the ACR AquaFix 406 (built in gps). Don't know how good it is, hope to never need to find out. I watched Tred Barta set one off in Alaska during his tv show and the coastguard plane was on him within minutes (made for tv?)
SeaBiscuit

[gradyfish265]

what ever you buy, get one with a built in GPS, you do not want it to hook up to your electronics, what if they fail? Also, the PLB Epirb's are ok, but I've heard from many who have tested them that you need to hold them with your arm raised above your head to get a good signal, spend 50-100 more for a good unit.

Here is a good link to give you an idea of what to look at.
http://boatsafe.com/nauticalknowhow/epirb.htm

I'd recommend an ACR or McMurdo unit.
I'm buying a new Epirb this year fro the new boat, I plan to go with an ACR Globalfix 406 Epirb-Category II. they are $799, but the factory is offering a $140 mail in rebate at the moment. For $660, it could be the best tool on your boat for saving your life next to a life vest. I think I'd even rank it over a liferaft with the quick response rate a good Epirb will provide.

My boat won't sink due to flotation, so having a hydrostatic released Epirb would be dumb for me, the boat could submerge, but float upside down and it possibly could not release. Mine will be mounted where it is very easy to grab, probably the aft portion of my hardtop. that way if we need to dive down and grab it, it is unobstructed also.

[Seaker]

Here;s the link Rich

http://www.lrse.com/

Somtimes it's just so confusing so all I do now is call these guys they are in Portsmouth, RI and they will advise you of exactly what you need in terms of safety gear. That is all they do. They also repack and serviceeverything they sell.

another option is IMP in New Bedford:

http://www.merchantcircle.com/busine...d.508-993-0010

They can get you hooked up with exactly what you need and nothing more

Both are great places to buy your flares because they turn over flares daily so you always get super fresh stock

[JD5652]

I have the ACR GlobalFix 406Mhz Cat 1 with automatic hydrostatic release. I mounted this one on my hard top for unobstructed deployment. If you go with a hydrostatic automatic release, be sure to pick a mounting spot that is unobstructed when she launches. If the EPIRB gets caught up in the boats rigging and goes down with boat, it's no good to you.

Last year I also purchased the ACR Aqua-Fix Model PLB-200 for my ditch bag. This unit has built-in GPS and is less than half the size of standard EPIRBs.

I would highly recommend any of the ACR EPIRBS.

Also, once you get your EPIRB, the most important thing is to register it.

Go here for EPIRB registration.......

http://beaconregistration.noaa.gov/

Once you decide what you need.....You might want to check on Consumer Marine....they generally have some of the best pricing out there.....
http://www.consumersmarine.com/

[alex n]

I unfortunately know from expieience that they work, on my boats maiden voyage to the Hudson canyon in 06 , it started transmitting in the case because I mounted it improperly, and we had the radio turned down , both rediculous mistakes. Anyway we arrive in the Hudson to see a CG helicopter hovering behind boats literally reading transoms, they had been calling us but our radio was off and could not hear them. Finally they start heading our way and park that bird about 30 ft off the riggers and motion to the radio (which we had turned up as soon as we got to the canyon but were already done hailing us , they had hailed us for about 1.5 hours, my wife was contacted and all) everything that wasn't bolted down wen't flying out of the boat, they asked if I knew the EPIRB was transmiotting ,I said NO , then climbed up the tower and sure enough it was transmitting , told them to tell my wife we were OK if she was contacted, which she was, and was hysterical . She was contacted at about 8am and told we were ok at 9;45, anyway they would have found me a lot faster with a gps epirb, without gps they only know generally where the signal is coming from, not exactly where like the gps epirb. I was among 30 boats at the Hudson and they had to read the names on the boats to find exactly whre the signal was coming from.

[marsimi]

I do not charter but I use the ACR AquaFix 406 (built in gps).