Buying and wearing a PLB seems like a good idea. Who has experience with one of these - any information you can share would be appreciated.
Last edited:
experience with PLB - Personal Locator Beacon
- Thread starter Nashville_Blues
- Start date
Depends where you sail. On the ocean, yes. Inland I doubt it.
The PLB broadcasts a distress signal to the satellite network which relays the signal to a central dispatch facility, which then sends the signal to the regional or local rescue organization. Once it is received by that organization, they try to contact the Emergency contacts on the account and then a search is initiated. It takes a few hours to get through the process.
On an inland lake with good cell coverage, you'll do better with a cell phone and a call to 911. On the Great Lakes or near shore a GPS enabled VHF with a DSC panic button will work more quickly as it goes direct to the regional Coast Guard station.
The PLB broadcasts a distress signal to the satellite network which relays the signal to a central dispatch facility, which then sends the signal to the regional or local rescue organization. Once it is received by that organization, they try to contact the Emergency contacts on the account and then a search is initiated. It takes a few hours to get through the process.
On an inland lake with good cell coverage, you'll do better with a cell phone and a call to 911. On the Great Lakes or near shore a GPS enabled VHF with a DSC panic button will work more quickly as it goes direct to the regional Coast Guard station.
While I don't have any experience using a PLB, we do have personal AIS beacons in our lifejackets and ditch bag (which I also don't have any experience using them - knock on wood).
The main reason for deciding on a PAIS rather than a PLB was that if one of us went overboard, there was a vastly greater chance of saving them with the mothership or a nearby ship than there was waiting for a professional rescue.
When we bought them, the only choice was PAIS or PLB. Now, there are combined models. Those would probably be the best to get.
Mark
Edit: I realized I may have inadvertently gave the wrong impression of our ditch bag. We also have a regular EPIRB in our ditch bag. The PAIS is in addition to that, and would be used if a ship was spotted nearby. I put no confidence in flares or their ability to be seen, and they would be my last choice of getting attention.
The main reason for deciding on a PAIS rather than a PLB was that if one of us went overboard, there was a vastly greater chance of saving them with the mothership or a nearby ship than there was waiting for a professional rescue.
When we bought them, the only choice was PAIS or PLB. Now, there are combined models. Those would probably be the best to get.
Mark
Edit: I realized I may have inadvertently gave the wrong impression of our ditch bag. We also have a regular EPIRB in our ditch bag. The PAIS is in addition to that, and would be used if a ship was spotted nearby. I put no confidence in flares or their ability to be seen, and they would be my last choice of getting attention.
12 Guage aerial flares are virtually worthless. Handheld or smoke signals are much more likely to be seen.
Not sure how much of a Coast Guard presence there is on your lake.
Check with the Sheriff's Department or the game warden find out what equipment they use and what they would recommend. A patch of reflective material on your PFDs and a whistle tethered to every PFD is inexpensive and should be the first step.
Not sure how much of a Coast Guard presence there is on your lake.
Check with the Sheriff's Department or the game warden find out what equipment they use and what they would recommend. A patch of reflective material on your PFDs and a whistle tethered to every PFD is inexpensive and should be the first step.
Last edited:
I missed that the OP is boating on a lake. In that case, a PLB is completely useless. One would either drown or swim to shore before help arrived.
A better chance would be with a small DSC radio where a warning would be blasted to everyone with a VHF, and one could talk to them.
Mark
A better chance would be with a small DSC radio where a warning would be blasted to everyone with a VHF, and one could talk to them.
Mark
I purchased one several years ago. Sail single handed mostly. Compact size allows me to Keep it in a pouch in my inflatable pfd. If you fall overboard & no one remains onboard, DSC, AIS, VHF won’t help; so either cell phone or PLB is your lifeline. Manufacturer also markets to outdoorsmen who hunt & hike in remote areas. Have to send it to an authorized service center every five years for recertification & battery replacement at cost of approximately $125. A division of NOAA contacts me annually to update personal info including boat & contacts and provides an update sticker to attach to unit. My understanding is that newer cell phones (I phone) has capability of transmitting distress calls via satellite; however, my phone doesn’t have that feature.