Do you regularly cruise or race out of sight of land? If the answer is yes, one of the best Epirb is an absolutely essential bit of kit to have fitted to your boat.

As there are a few on the market with a variety in price, it can be challenging to know which Epirb to pick. As Tech Editor here at Yachting World, I looked at the options currently available on the market and compared the specs to see exactly what it is you’re buying.

Most of us will hopefully never need to use an Epirb and wonder why exactly we have this expensive piece of electronics clipped to a bulkhead. But if you do need this bit of kit, we’ve pulled together a list for whatever level of specification and budget you have.

You will then need to consider what type of Epirb: either a Cat 1 or Cat 2. If you are racing, then the rules might state you must have a hydrostatically released Cat 1 version. For most leisure users, a Cat 2 type will be just fine.

Do you want to have built-in AIS? There are two currently to choose from on the market.

Do you want a Return Link Service? There’s only one model currently offering this.

Do you want a really small unit that can slip into a grab bag? Or do you want something you can operate without your glasses and be a substantial object to handle with cold, wet hands?

At a glance

 

 

---

Ocean Signal RescueME EPIRB1

Specification
• Operational life – 48+ hours
• User replaceable battery – yes
• Battery life – 10 years
• Auto activation – No (cat 2) Yes (cat 1)
• AIS – No
• GPS – Yes
• 121MHz – Yes
• NFC – No
• Return Link Service – No

Reasons to Buy: It has a long battery life, features a user-serviceable battery and has a very small compact unit.

Reasons to Avoid: The antenna must be pulled out before activation and the small unit might be a bit of a fiddle for larger hands.

Ocean Signal make a well-regarded range of safety beacons, and their EPIRB1 is the smallest on the market. It has a 10-year battery life and 48+ hours of fo operational life. Being such a compact model as Cat 2 version, this will fit to some small bulkhead spaces and will slip easily into a grab bag.

It also has a 66-channel internal GPS and a retractable antenna, which you must remember to pull out when activating manually. Hidden under the rubber band is the lanyard to allow the unit to float outside of a liferaft and remain tethered.

The Pro version of the EPIRB1 offers an automatic release housing.

 

---

Note: We may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site, at no extra cost to you. This doesn’t affect our editorial independence.

---

Ocean Signal RescueME EPIRB3

Specification
• Operational life – 48+ hours
• User replaceable battery – yes
• Battery life – 10 years
• Auto activation – No (cat 2) Yes (cat 1)
• AIS – Yes
• GPS – Yes
• 121MHz – Yes
• NFC – Yes
• Return Link Service – Yes

Reasons to Buy: The most highly specified leisure boaters Epirb on the market with AIS and NFC.

Reasons to Avoid: It may be a little pricey for some, the antenna must be pulled out before activation and the small unit might be a bit of a fiddle for larger hands.

The latest Epirb from Ocean Signal brings a host of new features to an already familiar compact unit.

The Epirb3 has AIS, which makes localised rescue easier for any vessel equipped with a receiver and near-field communication, which allows easier viewing of the unit’s battery status.

The other most notable addition is the return link service,  which is an indicator light on the unit that acknowledges receipt of a distress signal at a rescue center.

Everything else remains largely the same as the Epirb1.

You can tell the two apart with their top housing, the Epirb3 is transparent whilst the Epirb1 is opaque.

 

---

ACR GlobalFix V4 406 GPS EPIRB

Specification
• Operational life – 48+ hours
• User replaceable battery – yes
• Battery life – 10 years
• Auto activation – No (cat 2) Yes (cat 1)
• AIS – No
• GPS – Yes
• 121MHz – No
• NFC – No
• Return Link Service – No

Reasons to Buy: It has a large easy-to-handle unit, the antenna is always ready and features a simple stowage bracket.

Reasons to Avoid: The larger bracket requires more space on a bulkhead.

This EPIRB has an internal 66-channel GPS with a user-replaceable battery pack. It has a high-visibility LED strobe light, floats, and can be automatically activated via cat 1 hydrostatic release in housing or manually started by cat 2 manual mount.

Benefits include: claiming to have a 48+ hours run time and it comes with a 5-year warranty. Plus, the antenna is held by the bracket but deploys instantly on release.

 

---

McMurdo SmartFind G8 AIS EPIRB

Specification
• Operational life – 48+ hours
• User replaceable battery – No
• Battery life – 10 years
• Auto activation – Yes (Cat 1) No (Cat 2)
• AIS – Yes
• GPS – Yes
• 121MHz – Yes
• NFC – No
• Return Link Service – No

Reasons to Buy: It features a large easy-to-handle unit, a clear manual trigger and an always-ready aerial.

Reasons to Avoid: Thelarger bracket requires more space on a bulkhead.

As well as 406MHz and 121.5MHz transmitters, this EPIRB also includes an AIS transmitter to give local vessels location information. So if you’re in difficulty, it increases the chance of rescue by nearby craft.

It has a 77-channel multi-constellation GNSS receiver, manual/automatic activation, strobe light and 48 hours operating time thanks to a Lithium Ion battery that is good for 10 years before it needs replacing.

 

---

GME MT600G GPS EPIRB

Specification
• Operational battery life is 48 hours, and a mounting bracket is included.
• Operational life – 48+ hours
• User replaceable battery – No
• Battery life – 10 years
• Auto activation – Yes (Cat 1) No (Cat 2)
• AIS – No
• GPS – Yes
• 121MHz – No
• NFC – No
• Return Link Service – No

Reasons to Buy: Love the budget-friendly price and that it is a simple unit.

Reasons to Avoid: It’s a basic unit that doesn’t have some more sophisticated features from competitors and it can be harder to find to purchase.

The MT403 EPIRB has a 16-channel GPS receiver, a high visibility strobe light and can be automatically or manually activated. It has a 10-year battery life and a 6-year warranty included.

 

---

What is an EPIRB used for?

An EPIRB, is an Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon. It uses a radio wave that is picked up by passing satellites overhead to relay a GPS location and create a recognised emergency signal at a receiving station on land.

The receiving station will send the signal to the next recue coordination centre who then pass on the alert to emergency services or coordinate with rescue services. 

An EPIRB doesn’t need a VHF signal, or anyone nearby to see a flare, but simply triggers a response via a satellite radio wave.

Think of it as a satellite triggered “flare” that can burn brightly as a signal being sent via satellite for up to 48 hours.
Some newer designs of EPIRB now ping a light within the housing to let the user know that the satellite signal has been received.

Should I buy an EPIRB or a PLB?

All boats heading offshore, out of sight of land or beyond a VHF signal range with other boats should carry an EPIRB, though it isn’t mandatory for smaller vessels, all boats working commercially, coded for charter must carry one. If you are a smaller vessel, travelling coastally only where rescue services are never far away, then a PLB might be a good, lightweight choice. It works in the same way as an EPIRB but has a smaller battery and thus can only put out a signal for 24 hours. Sea kayakers and other leisure craft users of this type use a PLB.

If your boat is big enough to sleep in, and go further than 10 miles off shore, then a full sized ships EPIRB should be considered a must have.

What is the difference between SART and EPIRB?

A SART or Search and Rescue Radar Transponder works by creating a distinct signal pattern on a receivers radar screen in order to help the receiver accurately locate the position of the SART.

It uses a small internal battery to detect and then reflect in a very specific way when it is painted by an X-band radar signal.
It transmits ‘SOS’ and the vessel’s name and position in slow speed Morse Code.It will appear on a radar unit’s screen as a line of dots radiating outward with the innermost dot indicating the SART’s position.

The SART doesn’t communicate with VHF, Satellite or other radio signals.

The EPIRB doesn’t appear on a radar screen. It transmits its signal via satellite. For homing purposes, the EPIRB may have a homing signal frequency which can be scanned for with search and rescue services scanning equipment though it is not accurate to a very small area. An EPIRB may have AIS, which can be seen on the respective screen of any vessel receiving AIS positions of vessels around them.

Do I need an EPIRB on my boat?

If you go offshore out of range of a VHF signal or out of range of people who might see an emergency distress flare, then you probably need an EPIRB on your boat. If you are entering any kind of organised offshore race or rally then you’ll need an EPIRB. If you are in any doubt about how you would signal a rescue in an emergency, then you need an EPIRB on your boat.

What we look for in an EPIRB?

• Internal GPS: Nearly all of the best EPIRBs available on the market today will have an integrated GPS, but if you have an older model, some of these don’t, which can mean they are much slower and less accurate at pinpointing your location
• User-serviceable battery: You might like to consider a model which allows you to change the battery yourself. Service centres can be costly but do offer peace of mind in return for an increased cost.
• Auto activation: Some of the best EPIRBS can be automatically activated upon immersion, and some housings will automatically release the EPIRB to float free should it become submerged, this is mandatory for SOLAS vessels.
• Retractable Antenna: These prevent damage when stowed, but must be deployed to allow the beacon to reach its full range potential.
• Dual-Frequency: Whilst all will transmit initially on 406MHz, some offer an additional 121.5 MHz for accurate search and rescue homing. Some models have an AIS transmitter for local position pinpointing as well.
• Registration: Each EPIRB comes pre-programmed with a country code, so beware of buying EPIRBs online from other regions. You must register your EPIRB with the MCA in the UK. or the NOAA if you are based in USA

For past adventures and tales of rescue at sea, you can read more at Yachting World and the 2020/21 Vendee Globe rescue of Kevin Escoffier

Read how a PLB saved Solo Yachtsman, Nigel Fox’s life at Yachting Monthly

Looking for a personal beacon? Read our buyers guide to help you choose the best one for you:  Best personal locator beacons and AIS units: 8 top options for boating

Didn’t find what you’re looking for? Head to Amazon’s dedicated boating page for more marine products.