{"id":4568,"date":"2013-04-15T08:52:25","date_gmt":"2013-04-15T12:52:25","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/fish-news.com\/cfn\/?p=4568"},"modified":"2015-03-06T12:54:56","modified_gmt":"2015-03-06T17:54:56","slug":"safe-boat-smart-boat-know-maintain-register-your-epirb","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fish-news.com\/cfn\/safe-boat-smart-boat-know-maintain-register-your-epirb\/","title":{"rendered":"SAFE-BOAT SMART-BOAT: Know, maintain, register your EPIRB"},"content":{"rendered":"

by Fred Mattera \u2013<\/strong><\/p>\n

EPIRB requirements apply to all commercial fishing vessels operating more than three nautical miles from the coast of the US.\u00a0 Vessels 36′ or greater in length must have on board a float-free, automatically activated Category 1<\/p>\n

406 MHz EPIRB stowed where it can float free if the vessel sinks.<\/p>\n

Vessels less than 36′ must have installed in a readily accessible location at or near the principal steering station either a manually activated Category\u00a02 406MHz EPIRB or a float-free automatically activated Category 1 406MHz EPIRB.<\/p>\n

\"Mattera-SH\"

A qualified Coast Guard-approved marine drill instructor, Fred Mattera of Point Judith, RI is the owner\/president of North East Safety Training Co. (NESTCo), which conducts fishing vessel drills and inspections and basic safety training workshops.
A commercial fisherman for 40 years, Mattera is a member of the Commercial Fishing Safety Advisory Committee to the Coast Guard, and, since 1998, has been president of the Point Club, a fishing vessel mutual insurance group. He also has served on the board of directors for Sunderland Marine Mutual Insurance Co., the principal underwriter for the Point Club and more than 2,000 US fishing vessels, since 1998.<\/p><\/div>\n

EPIRB stands for \u201cemergency position indicating radio beacon.\u201d\u00a0 These devices are vital in distress situations, especially when communications have not been or can\u2019t be established.<\/p>\n

The EPIRB transmits at 406 MHz, a higher frequency that produces a strong signal.\u00a0 This transmission is picked up by satellites and relayed to coastal stations, rescue aircraft, and ships that maintain around-the-clock watches.<\/p>\n

Your EPIRB transmits a unique signal that lets authorities know it is coming from your vessel.\u00a0 The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) maintains a database of all EPIRBs carried on US boats, and you are required by law to register your EPIRB.<\/p>\n

Proper registration makes it possible for the Coast Guard to reach the person you designate as an emergency contact when a distress signal is received.\u00a0 With this information, the Coast Guard can quickly determine if a true emergency exists and initiate a search and rescue response if necessary.<\/p>\n

NOAA clearly states, \u201cFailure to register your beacon may delay a rescue response.\u201d<\/p>\n

After registering, you will receive a \u201cNOAA registration decal\u201d in the mail.\u00a0 This decal needs to be affixed to your EPIRB.\u00a0 Registration is free and must be renewed every two years from the date listed on your decal or whenever there is a change in ownership of a vessel or you replace your EPIRB.<\/p>\n

You can easily register your EPIRB online at <www.beaconregistration.noaa.gov>.\u00a0 Or you can print out the registration form from the website if you prefer to mail it in.<\/p>\n

If you have any questions about registration or errors on your new or renewed registration form or decal, call (301) 817-4515 or toll free at 1-888-212-7283.\u00a0 Remember to modify and\/or be certain that your EPIRB is included on your FCC Station License.\u00a0 Failure to do so can result in a civil penalty assessment by the FCC.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Common problems<\/b><\/p>\n

I would like to point out several concerns I observe when I inspect vessel EPIRBs.\u00a0 Each EPIRB has a UIN (unit identification number), made up of 15 letters and numerals, which looks like this:\u00a0 ACDC0201E009123.<\/p>\n

This UIN represents the unique signature of your vessel as identified in NOAA\u2019s database and allows authorities to determine that it\u2019s your vessel that\u2019s in distress when a signal is received.<\/p>\n

Alarmingly, about 30% of the vessels I have inspected in the last several years have had the wrong UINs, which means that if your EPIRB is activated, NOAA will not be able to identify your vessel by name.<\/p>\n

All of the UIN errors I have found were corrected within 24 hours or less simply by calling the crackerjack staff at the NOAA EPIRB registration office.<\/p>\n

Generally, the errors come about when people replace an old EPIRB with a new unit and get a renewal decal two years later with the old EPIRB UIN.\u00a0 Other errors happen during data entry or because the owner\u2019s handwriting is illegible on the renewal form.\u00a0 It really is best to go online and type in your UIN \u2013 and double check to be sure it\u2019s correct.<\/p>\n

Also, sometimes captains mistakenly attach the decal to the outside of the shell casing of the unit rather than on the unit itself.\u00a0 Read your EPIRB instructions, which will show you where it should go.<\/p>\n

Lastly, since your decal expires every two years, please try to check the date and renew the decal in ample time.\u00a0 Review the information on the new decal for accuracy and then attach it to the EPIRB.\u00a0 Don\u2019t leave the decal on the paperwork in the envelope inside your pilothouse drawer.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Steps to follow<\/b><\/p>\n

Here are a few steps to follow to be sure your EPIRB works when you need it.<\/p>\n