Upgrade your EPIRB to 406MHz |
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| The Australian Maritime Safety Authority have issued a timely reminder to all boat owners to upgrade their analogue EPIRBs to the new digital models. 121.5 MHz distress beacons will no longer be detected by satellite after 1 February 2009, so switch to a digital 406 MHz distress beacon now. Expired EPIRBs should, however, be replaced with 406MHz models well before 1 Feb 2009. There is concern that some boat owners will delay spending the money on a new 406MHz EPIRB until the last minute causing demand to outstrip supply in the last weeks leading up to the switch off date. Boat owners who can't secure a new 406MHz beacon may be tempted to head to sea without a working beacon, putting themselves and their crew at risk. Compulsory registration of the 406MHz beacon with AMSA provides search and rescue coordinators with information about your boat and important contact details. Boat owners register specific boat information to help with identification. Registering family members names to contact in an emergency helps AMSA to effect a resuce should it be necessary. Old analogue 121.5 EPIRBs should be disposed of correctly to avoid setting off false alarms. National retailer Battery World will accept expired EPIRBs and provide a disposal service free of charge. Information about responsible disposabale of unwanted beacons can be obtained from AMSA website. Perhaps now is a good time to check over all your safety gear and ensure it complies with your State boating regulations? |
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