Personal Locator Beacons

Author: Will Hay

What does a land-based fisherman have in common with a racing yacht skipper? Both can just as easily be lost at sea in a heartbeat. Coincidentally, one heartbeat is all it takes for a personal locator beacon to activate and transmit your GPS location to the Rescue Coordination Centre New Zealand (RCCNZ), which will then raise the alarm to initiate a rescue.

Getting out on or near the water is what Kiwis love, but it can be risky, especially when venturing offshore, and our yearly water-related fatalities continue to rise. To date this year, Aotearoa has seen 45 drowning fatalities, including 8 in the past 8 weeks, several of which were related to bar-crossing incidents. While personal locator beacons can't prevent these tragedies, they are proven to reduce the time it takes to locate individuals and increase the chances of survival.

PLB: The Only Beacon of Hope You Should Depend On

Emergency beacons such as Personal Locator Beacons (PLBs) or Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons (EPIRBs) were once considered expensive, cumbersome devices, typically found only on commercial boats or offshore yachts. However, recent advances in technology and the growing boating market have made these lifesaving beacons more compact, affordable, and accessible to everyday ocean-goers. In New Zealand, there are two main types of locator beacons: PLBs and EPIRBs. EPIRBs are typically larger and designed specifically for on-water use, while PLBs are registered to their individual owners (hence the ‘Personal’ in PLB) and offer greater versatility. So, let’s dive into the world of PLBs, their versatility, and why anyone who spends time on or near the water should make one part of their kit.

What PLB Is Right for Me?

The key function of a PLB is to transmit your position to the relevant rescue coordination centre as quickly and efficiently as possible. PLBs operate on the 406 MHz frequency, which is monitored by Cospas-Sarsat, an international satellite system. This global reach ensures that no matter where you are in New Zealand, your signal can be picked up. There are several different brands and types of PLBs available in New Zealand, ranging from about $400 to $2,500 for advanced AIS EPIRBs. However, there are some key features you should look for in a PLB:

• GPS Functionality: Most modern PLBs are equipped with GPS, providing your exact coordinates to rescuers, often within a few meters. Some also use the Galileo Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) for pinpoint accuracy.
• Durability and Waterproofing: PLBs are built to withstand harsh marine environments. They are waterproof, shock-resistant, and can float, ensuring they stay operational even in the worst conditions. It’s crucial to look for one that floats, so if it becomes detached from you, it will continue to transmit its signal from the surface.
• Battery Life: PLBs are designed with long-lasting batteries that can operate for up to 24 hours or more in emergency mode, giving rescuers ample time to locate you.
• Ease of Use: In a high-stress situation, simplicity is key. PLBs are designed to be activated with one hand, often with the press of a button, making them accessible even when you’re injured or incapacitated. Some can even be automatically activated if submerged.

One of the most popular PLBs for the average boatie is the ACR ResQLink 400 Floating PLB, which has all of the above features in a cost-effective package, as displayed by Marine Deals. This compact, lightweight unit is easy to carry and includes an infrared strobe light in addition to the ultra-bright strobe light to assist rescue crews using night vision goggles.

Once you have bought a PLB, you must register it with the Rescue Coordination Centre. Follow the instructions that come with the PLB and on the Beacons website to register it before you head out for the first time.

I Have a cellphone  with GPS—I’ll Be Fine...

Jump into a pool and try making a call while fumbling around in your soaking pockets to dig out your phone. Hoping your phone is waterproof, it’ll take well over ten times as long as a PLB takes to activate for you to figure out how to unlock it and find or type the number in—that’s if you can even unlock your touch screen with wet fingers. In a real-life situation, this assumes you’re in range of a cell tower and can speak clearly to inform the receiver of your exact location. Then, you’ll need to stay on the line, hoping the battery doesn’t die, while Coastguard or SAR team tries to locate your moving position as the swell, wind, and currents push you further away from land.

Let me tell you a little story about one of my mates who carries a PLB as his essential kit:

My mate was taking a long solo sail home from Fiji to avoid cyclone season. The yacht was motorsailing overnight due to light winds when the diesel engine failed about 160nm from Opua. Effectively adrift with no clear range of communication through VHF or cell, things could have turned deadly in an instant. Fortunately, both an EPIRB and PLB were on board. Although they weren’t needed, as he was able to catch the morning breeze, which thankfully was on the beam all the way home, he recounts that even just having a PLB on board gave him enough reassurance that he had a ‘watchful eye’ over him, which, when navigating solo for days on end, can be all you need psychologically to keep things in check.

How to Wear and Use a PLB: Keeping It Close

Wearing a PLB is as important as having one. In an emergency, you may not have time to search for your device, so it’s crucial to always keep it on your person while on the water. Here are the best ways to carry a PLB:

• Lifejacket Attachment: Many PLBs come with streamlined clips, straps, or holsters that allow you to attach them directly to your life jacket. This ensures that if you’re thrown overboard, your beacon stays with you.
• Harness or Belt Clip: Some boaties prefer to wear their PLB on a harness or belt for easy access. This can be especially useful if you’re moving around the boat frequently.
• Waterproof Pouch: For those who prefer to keep their PLB in a dry, secure place, a waterproof pouch can be worn around the neck or waist, keeping the device within reach.

Not Just for Boaties

Even if you don’t own a boat, a PLB can be a crucial piece of safety equipment for various outdoor activities. Land-based rock fishermen, for example, often navigate treacherous coastal terrain where rogue waves and sudden changes in weather can turn a day of fishing into a life-threatening situation. It’s easy to be swept away by a wave or fall off a rock into the water. These conditions can make it impossible to get back to land, and the risk of drowning is immense. Similarly, free divers who explore coastal waters face risks such as strong currents or equipment failure that could leave them stranded far from help.

As a further bonus, PLBs are invaluable for land-based adventures as they work across all of New Zealand; for instance, I always carry mine when mountain biking in remote areas. A crash or getting lost can leave you vulnerable and far from assistance, making a PLB a potential lifesaver. In all these scenarios, having a PLB on hand ensures that even in the most isolated environments, you can send out a distress signal and increase your chances of a swift rescue.

False Alarms & When to Replace Your PLB

With PLB technology becoming more advanced, features such as automatic activation when submerged or accidental activation are now possible. If your PLB is accidentally activated, it’s important to contact the RCCNZ (0508 472 269) or Coastguard (0800 BOATIE) immediately to let them know so they can stand down—there is no penalty or fine if you do this right away. Be sure not to switch off the PLB until you are instructed to do so.

Always check that the battery is within its expiry date, as all 406 MHz beacons have a limited battery life to meet the requirements for the minimum operating time once activated. If it’s near the end of its service life, you need to dispose of it responsibly by taking it to an approved disposal point so it can be recorded off the network and decommissioned accordingly. Most marine retailers should be able to do this for you or point you in the right direction, as well as the Rescue Coordination Centre itself.

Don’t Set Off Without One

A PLB, like insurance is a one of those purchases you never want to use. While you may never need to use it, having one on you for that next adventure is a testament to your commitment to safety for yourself and those around you. As the saying goes, “It’s better to have it and not need it, than to need it and not have it.” So, before you head out on your next water related adventure, make sure your PLB is with you and ready to go —it could be the best decision you ever make.