Browsing: EPIRBs

Cruising Life
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Heading Offshore? Rent an EPIRB from BoatUS

There’s no doubt that an EPIRB could save your life if you have a problem while cruising offshore. But new ones are expensive. BoatUS now offers an affordable program where you can rent one for $65 a week, plus $25 for shipping. Read about it here: SPRINGFIELD, Va., March 25, 2024 – The majority of the nation’s nearly 12 million recreational boaters don’t often travel far offshore, beyond cellular or VHF range. But for those who only do on a rare occasion, having an Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) is important, allowing you to summon rescuers if there’s a…

Cruising Life
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NOAA: Satellites Saved 330 People Last Year

Here’s some important news from NOAA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, showing the life-saving importance of having EPIRBs, PLBs or other emergency rescue beacons on board your boat: NOAA’s fleet of advanced satellites are essential for predicting weather and climate, and last year they also helped rescue 330 people from potentially life-threatening situations throughout the United States and its surrounding waters. Of the 330 U.S. rescues, 195 were water rescues, 29 were from aviation incidents and 106 were from events on land. Alaska had the most SARSAT rescues with 55, followed by Florida with 52 and California with 37.…

Cruising Life
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ACR Introduces Two New Rescue Kits

While you’re still planning for the coming cruising season, think about the rescue equipment you have on board. Is it up to date? Could you put your hands on it in a real emergency, particularly at night? Or is this just something you’d rather not think about. Well, as the old saying goes, prepare for the worst, plan for the best. This is particularly true for anyone thinking about cruising offshore, or in any major body of water (Lake Michigan immediately comes to mind here). Now there’s some good news from ACR, which just introduced two new rescue kits, making…

Electronics
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NOAA Report: EPIRBs Accounted for 300 Rescues in America Last Year

If you’re thinking of going offshore without an EPIRB, don’t. As emergency distress signals, EPIRBs are an absolutely major safety item that could save your life, and the lives of everyone else on board. And they work. In fact, NOAA just reported that EPIRBs were responsible for more than 300 rescues in America last year, an enormous number. For more, read this: http://www.maritime-executive.com/article/epirb-signals-contributed-to-300-rescues-in-2016