Alfredo Contaldovideo
EPIRB: what it is, how it works, and how to use it on a sailboat ⛵ GMDSS - Cospas-Sarsat - SOLAS ⚓
April 10, 2025 · 16 min · 3K views
What this video covers
An Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) transmits a 406 MHz digital distress signal to the Cospas-Sarsat satellite constellation to initiate search and rescue operations.6:56 Category 2 EPIRBs, standard for recreational vessels, require manual activation or immersion in water to trigger the signal.1:43 Once active, the device broadcasts a distress message every 50 seconds for 48 hours, often including GPS coordinates for precise location.6:12 Many units also transmit a 121.5 MHz homing signal to assist aircraft and rescue vessels in final approach.5:15 Proper installation requires mounting the unit in an accessible, weather-protected location away from children to prevent accidental activation, which is a legal offense.2:30 Owners must register the device with the Italian Cospas-Sarsat center in Bari, maintain a programming report on board, and include the device on the vessel's radio license.11:05 Regular testing should occur only during the first five minutes of any hour to avoid false alarms.15:19 Integrating an EPIRB with a Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) provides redundant safety for offshore passages.2:03
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