Distress beacon change could strand boaters

[unhappycamper]

Distress beacon change could strand boaters
By Glen Johnson - The Associated Press
Posted : Saturday Jan 31, 2009 15:02:08 EST

BOSTON — Like callers dialing 911 and getting no answer, boaters could end up stranded — or worse — if they haven’t upgraded their emergency distress beacons by this weekend. But the improved technology will speed rescues and spare agencies from many false alarms.

Beginning Sunday, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration will stop using its satellites to monitor the 121.5 MHz frequency used by older analog boater distress beacons.

NOAA and the Coast Guard, which responds to maritime distress calls, will instead limit their watch to newer digital signals coming across the 406 MHz frequency.

The signals come from devices known as Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons, or EPIRBs. Signals to NOAA satellites from such devices have been used to rescue more than 11,000 people since the program began in 1982.

For recreational boaters, EPIRBs are not mandatory equipment like life vests, but they are considered a good idea for anyone boating alone or beyond the sight of land. They are required in commercial vessels operating more than three nautical miles offshore.


Rest of article at: http://navytimes.com/news/2009/01/ap_distressbeacon_013109/%2e