Epirb vs sat phone

[Sumner]

The PLB that my friend loaned me when I went to the Bahamas had contact info and such for me. When I gave it back he changed all that info. My Spot doesn't have all that info, just 2 levels of alerting the right agencies if I need help if I remember right.

The main difference that I see between the PLB's and an EPIRB is who do they alert if you push the SOS button. The PLB's as far as I can see alert the service group that they are associated with and then they have to alert the proper authorities. The EPIRB goes directly to the proper authorities and also as has been mentioned gives assistance directly to them if they are trying to reach you. I'd want the second scenario if in dire need of help.

An analogy would be that you subscribe to a home security service. You think someone is in the house that shouldn't be there. Do you want to contact the security service and then rely on them to call the police and send them or do you want to just dial 911.

For the Gulf Stream crossing part of the trip chances are the Coast Guard could get to you fairly quickly regardless of if you used any of these devices or just used the 'distress' button on your VHF radio. Once you are over by the Exumas who is going to come to you if you need help. Basically no one. I think the Bahama navy or whatever it is call has only a couple boats, but I did see the same one twice in the Exumas so that is encouraging,

Sumner

P.S. No Bahama pictures or trip report as we are headed back to the yard with our current transmission problems

============================
1300 miles to the Bahamas and back -- 2015

The MacGregor 26-S

The Endeavour 37

Trips to Utah, Wyoming, Idaho, Canada, Florida

Mac-Venture Links

[sailboatmike]

The main difference that I see between the PLB's and an EPIRB is who do they alert if you push the SOS button. The PLB's as far as I can see alert the service group that they are associated with and then they have to alert the proper authorities. The EPIRB goes directly to the proper authorities and also as has been mentioned gives assistance directly to them if they are trying to reach you. I'd want the second scenario if in dire need of help.

The main difference between PLB and EPRIB's are
1) PLB will not automatically activate and in general EPIRB's do
2) PLB is not as accurate as a EPIRB for positioning and does not have the homing beacon for rescuers to follow
3) A PLB will only work when held out of the water and the arial must be held in a upright vertical position, the upright position is the normal floating position for a EPRIB
4) PLB battery life is generally far shorter than a EPIRB

For the few dollars extra if given a choice give me a EPRIB and then if you want you can attach a PLB to your life jacket just in case you go overboard.

EPIRIBS cost around $300 and last for 10 year battery life, thats $30 a year, most would spend 10 times that much just having coffee at cafes every year (yes I know coffee can be a life saver also)

So ask yourself, how much is the life of you and your family worth?? I know a funeral is going to cost you a whole lot more than $300 on its own

[Sea Wind]

I rented an epirb from BoatUS when I crossed to Bimini last year. If/when I do it again I will buy a personal locator beacon for the boat. This is really an extra level of precaution if the DSC on the VHF cannot be used. I would rent a "bahamian" sim card for communications for a longer trip like Chinook did.
https://www.boatus.org/epirb/about/

[BOAT]

Help me out here:

I thought the EPIRB was the big bulky thing that stays on the boat? I can't imagine trying to walk around with that thing in my pocket?

And I thought the PLB was the thing you stuck in your pocket if you were a hiker or something?

Here is what I wanna know - What device do you want on your body and life vest if your tether breaks and you fall overboard out in the middle of the ocean?? If you guys think I should strap that big EPIRB thing to my chest I will do it but I thought that thing was for the boat?? What an I supposed to put on ME?

(We did not have all these fancy things a long time ago so it's sort of new to me).

[Ponaldpe]

Help me out here:

I thought the EPIRB was the big bulky thing that stays on the boat? I can't imagine trying to walk around with that thing in my pocket?

And I thought the PLB was the thing you stuck in your pocket if you were a hiker or something?

Here is what I wanna know - What device do you want on your body and life vest if your tether breaks and you fall overboard out in the middle of the ocean?? If you guys think I should strap that big EPIRB thing to my chest I will do it but I thought that thing was for the boat?? What an I supposed to put on ME?

(We did not have all these fancy things a long time ago so it's sort of new to me).

This is what I have https://www.westmarine.com/buy/acr-elec ... ecordNum=1 and if I was only going to have one thing this would/ will be it. And a floating road behind the boat, I single hand most of the time no one is coming back for the MOB.

[whgoffrn]

Correct me if in wrong but I do believe the plb also has the homing beacon ....their biggest disadvantage is a smaller battery so they only transmit for 24 hours where as an epirb transmits for 48 in the event u are so far out that rescue can't get to you in 24 hours .... for me I do believe rescue in the bahamas would make it to u in under 24 so the extra battery size is not enough of a pro to offset portability for a plb since an epirb does u no good at all if hurt while ON the island or anywhere away from the boat

As far as a line drug behind boat to hold grab onto if a MOB situation I have been trying to wrap my head around a way to have a floating rope tied to a breakaway to break the dinghy away from the boat ....i also plan to keep my 2cycle outboard laying down and secured IN my dinghy so in the worst case scenario if I fall over the side is aim for the bright floating blue rope behind my dinghy which if I fall over the side the dinghy will be aiming right for me so should be an easy catch and yank on the rope real hard and dinghy pops off and I put the engine on and catch up to my sailboat ...... only drawback I see to that is barracuda maybe attacking the rope and detaching the dinghy as if u notice their lures are bright colored tubes

[BOAT]

Help me out here:

I thought the EPIRB was the big bulky thing that stays on the boat? I can't imagine trying to walk around with that thing in my pocket?

And I thought the PLB was the thing you stuck in your pocket if you were a hiker or something?

Here is what I wanna know - What device do you want on your body and life vest if your tether breaks and you fall overboard out in the middle of the ocean?? If you guys think I should strap that big EPIRB thing to my chest I will do it but I thought that thing was for the boat?? What an I supposed to put on ME?

(We did not have all these fancy things a long time ago so it's sort of new to me).

This is what I have https://www.westmarine.com/buy/acr-elec ... ecordNum=1 and if I was only going to have one thing this would/ will be it. And a floating road behind the boat, I single hand most of the time no one is coming back for the MOB.

The AP remote that Ray Marine has is pretty good - it's very tiny and waterproof so you can where it around your neck - if you fall in there is a MOB function you can select on the remote that will make the boat go in circles. The wi fi on the remote has better range than the floating rope. I tried the floating rope once back when I was a kid and still very strong swimmer and even then I could not grab it. I was not fast enough.

[Ponaldpe]

Help me out here:



Here is what I wanna know - What device do you want on your body and life vest if your tether breaks and you fall overboard out in the middle of the ocean?? If you guys think I should strap that big EPIRB thing to my chest I will do it but I thought that thing was for the boat?? What an I supposed to put on ME?

(We did not have all these fancy things a long time ago so it's sort of new to me).

This is what I have https://www.westmarine.com/buy/acr-elec ... ecordNum=1 and if I was only going to have one thing this would/ will be it. And a floating road behind the boat, I single hand most of the time no one is coming back for the MOB.

Well till I get an AP all I have is the rope and hope I never need it , I am not as good swimmer as I used to be, I did see the trailing road work on a fishing boat years ago, but that boat had a crew to turn around a pick up the MOB. The sailing or going in a circle would be a good way for the boat not to get away and give you a chance to get back on.





The AP remote that Ray Marine has is pretty good - it's very tiny and waterproof so you can where it around your neck - if you fall in there is a MOB function you can select on the remote that will make the boat go in circles. The wi fi on the remote has better range than the floating rope. I tried the floating rope once back when I was a kid and still very strong swimmer and even then I could not grab it. I was not fast enough.

[Highlander]

Help me out here:

I thought the EPIRB was the big bulky thing that stays on the boat? I can't imagine trying to walk around with that thing in my pocket?

And I thought the PLB was the thing you stuck in your pocket if you were a hiker or something?

Here is what I wanna know - What device do you want on your body and life vest if your tether breaks and you fall overboard out in the middle of the ocean?? If you guys think I should strap that big EPIRB thing to my chest I will do it but I thought that thing was for the boat?? What an I supposed to put on ME?

(We did not have all these fancy things a long time ago so it's sort of new to me).

Mark
this is also what I,m looking at buying
https://www.acrartex.com/products/catal ... DIZUS.dpbs

I,ve talked to a few dealers & they have told me if u r only doing coastal sailing one of these is really all u need for my location but they r around $460. Can . u show me where u r gonna get a good quality EPIRB for $300. they start at about $770. Can up here
Here,s another one I,m lookin at runs for 48Hrs but in most cases should run for up to 72hrs max the other one I,m lookin at runs for 24hrs but in realty should run for at least 36hrs
https://www.acrartex.com/products/catal ... IMeYg.dpbs

I,d go for the 2844 model as it is manual & that,s what seems to b recommended best for sail boats if u r sailing in a more desolate area I,d go for the second one but it is not gonna do u much good in a MOB situation if u r alone unless u have it attached to u all the time, Ideally both of these would b perfect for our boats if u have crew on board & money is no object & u can always buy one now and the other one later if it went on sale usually the best time to buy this stuff is at the boat shows or u might b able to swing a deal if u bought them both at the same time this manufacture is apparently one of the best of two manufactures for these units

J

[Ponaldpe]

Help me out here:

I thought the EPIRB was the big bulky thing that stays on the boat? I can't imagine trying to walk around with that thing in my pocket?

And I thought the PLB was the thing you stuck in your pocket if you were a hiker or something?

Here is what I wanna know - What device do you want on your body and life vest if your tether breaks and you fall overboard out in the middle of the ocean?? If you guys think I should strap that big EPIRB thing to my chest I will do it but I thought that thing was for the boat?? What an I supposed to put on ME?

(We did not have all these fancy things a long time ago so it's sort of new to me).

Mark
this is also what I,m looking at buying
https://www.acrartex.com/products/catal ... DIZUS.dpbs

I,ve talked to a few dealers & they have told me if u r only doing coastal sailing one of these is really all u need for my location but they r around $460. Can . u show me where u r gonna get a good quality EPIRB for $300. they start at about $770. Can up here
Here,s another one I,m lookin at runs for 48Hrs but in most cases should run for up to 72hrs max the other one I,m lookin at runs for 24hrs but in realty should run for at least 36hrs
https://www.acrartex.com/products/catal ... IMeYg.dpbs

I,d go for the 2844 model as it is manual & that,s what seems to b recommended best for sail boats if u r sailing in a more desolate area I,d go for the second one but it is not gonna do u much good in a MOB situation if u r alone unless u have it attached to u all the time, Ideally both of these would b perfect for our boats if u have crew on board & money is no object & u can always buy one now and the other one later if it went on sale usually the best time to buy this stuff is at the boat shows or u might b able to swing a deal if u bought them both at the same time this manufacture is apparently one of the best of two manufactures for these units

J

https://www.westmarine.com/buy/acr-elec ... ecordNum=1

I do not know about shipping.

[Gazmn]

Goff,

Get the EPIRB. Listen to sailboat Mike. I'll be happy to loan you my Explorer+ whenever you go, just update info as needed. Hull, I'll even pay the Explorer bill

Leave the EPIRB with & on the boat; Take the Explorer on your inland trips - everywhere. Take lots of pictures for great writeup & stay safe - Dun

Best of Both - Top of the world Ma

PM Me when - before you're ready

[sailboatmike]

Goff,

Get the EPIRB. Listen to sailboat Mike.

Words that are rarely said not in jest

[whgoffrn]

Haha I appreciate the offer as i do think I'm going to get one I do believe im going to opt for the plb as it's portable but as with all things electronic plbs or epirb they are not made and formed by the hands of God and probably now made by some 8 year old child in a sweat shop in China so all things electronic have the possibility of malfunctioning so electronics = redundancy plb and explorer is what i believe my plan is after weighing all risks

[whgoffrn]

I'm actually still a long ways out I just want everything up and running for this trip to the keys as if i was leaving for exumas so I can work out the kinks in my water maker , xm weather , white oak rudders, fabricated brackets, sea anchor, drogue and numerous other UNTESTED mods I've done this winter... I have 3 ais systems and never tested a one of them as I've never even seen a cargo ship ......im going to attempt to talk my boss into giving me 2 weeks off this summer so I can sail from largo to key West and back still giving me enough time to go to the reefs sandbar and fish while multi tasking and putting 200 miles in under sail all on the outside to give myself the practice and see what breaks ....so the trip is planned summer of 2019 but I want 100% ready this summer as i plan to test every thing out completely and practice with the drogue sea anchor and figure out the simple things like which channel I even hail a cargo ship on if I see one on ais... I'm over prepared in some ways but way under prepared in others

[Highlander]

The main difference that I see between the PLB's and an EPIRB is who do they alert if you push the SOS button. The PLB's as far as I can see alert the service group that they are associated with and then they have to alert the proper authorities. The EPIRB goes directly to the proper authorities and also as has been mentioned gives assistance directly to them if they are trying to reach you. I'd want the second scenario if in dire need of help.

The main difference between PLB and EPRIB's are
1) PLB will not automatically activate and in general EPIRB's do
2) PLB is not as accurate as a EPIRB for positioning and does not have the homing beacon for rescuers to follow
3) A PLB will only work when held out of the water and the arial must be held in a upright vertical position, the upright position is the normal floating position for a EPRIB
4) PLB battery life is generally far shorter than a EPIRB

For the few dollars extra if given a choice give me a EPRIB and then if you want you can attach a PLB to your life jacket just in case you go overboard.

EPIRIBS cost around $300 and last for 10 year battery life, thats $30 a year, most would spend 10 times that much just having coffee at cafes every year (yes I know coffee can be a life saver also)

So ask yourself, how much is the life of you and your family worth?? I know a funeral is going to cost you a whole lot more than $300 on its own

OK , U show me where u r gonna get a full fu@ EPIRBS for $300. & u should check out the latest PLB I posted they will bring ur rescuer's to with-in 100 meters of ur location with the 406MHz signal alone the one I posted has ur GPS Loc & sends it also not like the older units which did not , also after further review If I was going with the larger EPIRB for my location I,d spend the extra $$$ & go for the 2831 Cat #2 as it has a 10yr battery life & is user replaceable the older unit I was looking at had a 6yr batt life which will b most likely 1yr old by the time u purchase it so u would b left with a 5yr battery ! life & have to pay for battery replacement seem,s like a no brianer to me ,
so just to get it straight if u r sailing alone in a big storm u got caught up in & u have a safety harness & PLB on but some how manage to get tossed over the side & there u r getting dragged alone with the boat what the hull is a EPIRB gonna do for u "nothing " untill it get wet enough to activate which means not only r u in trouble but so is ur boat & if it doe,s not get wet enough to activate u r SOL . Cat #1 "Automatic" r not recommended for sail boats they r for larger power & commercial boats . so it all comes down to ur sailing location & sailing situation , if u always sail with crew aboard & in a busy coast guard protected coastal area a PLB is better than nothing if u r sailing mostly alone but not always in a less than "remote" area where it is gonna take more than 24hrs to rescue u I,d say go with both

J