Who here is actually carrying a Epirb?

Divecoz · Post by **Divecoz** » Thu Jan 17, 2008 7:43 am

Of those of you who are actually making these trips, Alaska, the Bahamas and the Sea of Cortez etc. who among you is actually carrying an EPIRB? Model and Cost if you would please.

Phillip · Post by **Phillip** » Thu Jan 17, 2008 2:18 pm

Me, always, and I don't go far either.
Can't recall cost etc.
My thinking is: when in trouble, it is best survival item you will have.
Gets rescurers to you immediate area straight up.
Can't imagine anyone not having one.
Cheers
Phillip

Boblee · Post by **Boblee** » Thu Jan 17, 2008 2:33 pm

Always carried one even prior to the mac in the dinghy, bit of a bugger though having to change to the new one.

Divecoz · Post by **Divecoz** » Thu Jan 17, 2008 4:12 pm

Hummmm 49 viewers and 2 users? I'll keep watching.

Catigale · Post by **Catigale** » Thu Jan 17, 2008 6:17 pm

Im strictly coastal cruising so never thought to buy one. It did cross my mind to rent one for our longer Cape trips, but decided there was enough traffic in season to make VHF my primary safety comm method.

A trip like Bimini or Bahamas would necessitate it imho.

Moe · Post by **Moe** » Thu Jan 17, 2008 6:43 pm

Since no one is answering... If I'd be going where there's current frequently, I'd want a EPIRB with its own built-in GPS. Since a Mac won't sink and get a Category I deep enough to release it, I'd opt for the manually deployed Category II ACR GlobalFix.

If I wasn't going frequently, I'd rent one from BoatUS. It's non-GPS that relies on satellite triangulation, but for $40/week plus shipping, I could rent one for a few weeks and be hundreds ahead.

--
Moe

Night Sailor · Post by **Night Sailor** » Thu Jan 17, 2008 7:05 pm

Don't own one and if taking any extended cruise, anywhere, even on inland rivers or lakes, I"d rent one for the duration unless the cost would equal at least 50% of a new latest edition.

One can't count on local traffic or cell phones to help when you really, really need it at 3 a.m.

If I lived aboard, I"d own one.

Matt19020 · Post by **Matt19020** » Thu Jan 17, 2008 7:34 pm

Low cost EPIRB?
Not an epirb but interesting concept for $150
http://www.findmespot.com/

eric3a · Post by **eric3a** » Thu Jan 17, 2008 7:41 pm

Lease · Post by **Lease** » Thu Jan 17, 2008 9:44 pm

Don't go outside in the Mac, but then I don't think that it would be quite the thing to do in Bass Straight.

If I did cruise offshore I certainly would have one. Probably a personal one, and VHF with DSC for that matter too!

Phillip · Post by **Phillip** » Fri Jan 18, 2008 2:04 am

I was around when a boatie had use for his. Was in a tidal passage not 400m wide. They got in to trouble, capsized, no one saw them, got washed in to the mangroves, so he set off his eperb.
We saw the Marine rescue vessels searching (not knowing that was what they were doing), then came a 4 engined plane. Up and down, up and down.
That woke everyone up.
They found them. Took quite a while.
All survived. Without the eperb they would have been out there for a very long time. They had no where to go.
I recall hearing the eperb dosn't give an exact position, but a very small area, and from then on its visual. Just what I heard.
I'm a bit of a dumb okker, but I do know, when things go really wrong
there's little time for jackets, radios, mobiles.
Cheers
Phillip

bastonjock · Post by **bastonjock** » Fri Jan 18, 2008 2:45 am

the spot device looks like a great idea,i can think of several uses for it,bt my concern with that particular device,"is it waterproof",it would act like a back up to a logged sail plan

having something like that attached to your lifejacket would be a real life saver.

as i intend to be doing a lot of singlehanded sailing,an epirb is a must,an automatic distress device could be the difference between surviving or not

Divecoz · Post by **Divecoz** » Fri Jan 18, 2008 6:16 am

SPOTS water resistance is the big question at this point.
I went to their site and viewed the longest of the commercials . I now have an e-mail to the sales dept. concerning viability at sea.
I am hoping we will hear from them and maybe a few here who might be able to shed some technical light on this unit.
From their site the unit is $169.00 and 29 cents a day for activation.
I do not believe there is a activation cost to EPIRB, is that correct?

Divecoz · Post by **Divecoz** » Fri Jan 18, 2008 12:36 pm

Coverage area http://www.findmespot.com/explorespot/coverage.aspx
and I sent an e-mail asking just how water proof or resistant the unit is. I also asked if it would transmit thru a water proof zip lock bag like those used to protect Cell Phones and hand held GPS . When hear back I will post again the above link shows the coverage .
He got back to me asap
His reply:
The unit is water resistant and it will perform when submerge up to 1 m. under water.

Catigale · Post by **Catigale** » Fri Jan 18, 2008 3:50 pm

My next business plan will be implanting this technology into a bacon double cheeseburger for Admirals with straying husbands to leave out on the dinner table one night - complete with the "Track' coverage plan

MacGregorSailors.com

MacGregorSailors.com

Who here is actually carrying a Epirb?

Who here is actually carrying a Epirb?