{"id":2022,"date":"2024-03-14T18:41:24","date_gmt":"2024-03-14T18:41:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/oceansignal.com\/?p=2022"},"modified":"2026-02-24T13:01:59","modified_gmt":"2026-02-24T13:01:59","slug":"what-is-an-emergency-position-indicating-radio-beacon-or-epirb","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/oceansignal.com\/us\/news\/what-is-an-emergency-position-indicating-radio-beacon-or-epirb\/","title":{"rendered":"What is an Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon or EPIRB?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Promoting boating safety is a shared responsibility. Discover Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons (EPIRBs), crucial for alerting Search and Rescue teams of your precise location in emergencies. Explore how modern AIS EPIRBs streamline Search and Rescue efforts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is an EPIRB? <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

EPIRB stands for Emergency Position-Indicating Radio Beacon. It’s sometimes called a GPIRB if it includes a built-in GNSS\/GPS receiver for quicker location pinpointing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Abbreviated from Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon, is a distress beacon used by sailors and boaters worldwide. When activated, it alerts a global Search and Rescue (SAR) network, facilitating swift rescue operations at your precise location.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"EPIRB
EPIRB Mounted With a CAT1 “Float-Free” Bracket<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

How Do They Work? <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

EPIRBs emit a digital 406 MHz distress signal, containing a unique 15-digit identifier, to the Cospas-Sarsat Satellite System<\/a>. Depending on your vessel’s registration, this may be a serial number or its Maritime Mobile Service Identity (MMSI) number.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"EPIRB
EPIRB How Does It Work Diagram<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

For EPIRBs with a serial number, Search and Rescue forces retrieve your beacon registration (also free but mandatory for all EPIRB owners). This provides ownership details and additional emergency contacts. EPIRBs with an MMSI number require the EPIRB 15 Hex ID to be added to the relevant maritime database.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

EPIRBs relay your location to Search and Rescue forces either through GPS data or triangulation calculations from satellites. This information is relayed to the nearest Rescue Coordination Center, initiating your rescue mission. They utilize the EPIRB’s 121.5 MHz homing signal, AIS location signal (on newer EPIRBs), and strobe lights to pinpoint your location for a safe return.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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