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When a crew has to abandon ship or face a critical situation at sea, the EPIRB is often the last link in the safety chain. All recent beacons are based on the same principle: to transmit an alert via the international Cospas Sarsat satellite network on 406 MHz, while making it easier to locate shipwrecked crew members. But behind this apparent uniformity, several functions distinguish the models currently available on the market.
Which EPIRB models are available, and at what price?
On the French market, six EPIRB AIS beacons are distributed by Navicom or Furuno France. The McMurdo G8 AIS+, Kannad Safe Pro AIS+ and GME MT606G models are marketed by Navicom at a guide price of ?779 incl. VAT in manual version on a wall bracket. The Jotron Tron 60 AIS, also distributed by Navicom, is priced at ?969 incl. VAT. Furuno France offers the Ocean Signal EPIRB3 at ?972 incl. VAT, while the ACR GlobalFix V5 is priced at ?1,002 incl. VAT.
All six beacons are based on the same safety architecture, with Cospas Sarsat 406 MHz transmission, 121.5 MHz homing signal and integrated AIS. Price differences are mainly due to the presence of Return Link Service (RLS), NFC or mobile application functions, as well as differences in weight and battery life.
All EPIRBs on the market feature a complete technical base
Before comparing options, it should be remembered that current EPIRBs incorporate all the functions essential for marine rescue.
Each model features a 406 MHz Cospas Sarsat transmitter, a 121.5 MHz homing signal, integrated AIS, GNSS receiver, LED and infrared lights, and a minimum battery life of 48 hours.
The 406 MHz signal is used to alert rescue coordination centers. The 121.5 MHz signal then facilitates the final approach of rescue resources. The AIS broadcasts the beacon's position to nearby vessels equipped with an AIS receiver.
For yachtsmen cruising inshore or offshore, these functions are now the minimum requirements when purchasing an EPIRB.
The Return Link Service confirms that the alert has been received
The Return Link Service, more commonly known as RLS, is the most visible development of recent years. This function enables certain satellites in the Galileo system to transmit a confirmation message to the beacon once the distress signal has been received. The shipwrecked person then knows that his or her message has been received and processed by the rescue centers. In practical terms, this information reduces a major uncertainty. Without an EPIRB, there is no way of knowing whether or not the alert has been properly dispatched.
Among beacons, only the Jotron Tron 60 AIS, Ocean Signal EPIRB3 and ACR GlobalFix V5 models feature Return Link Service. For sailors engaged in ocean or deep-sea crossings, this function deserves special attention.
Integrated AIS: an invaluable aid when ships are close by
AIS is now present on all the models compared. Its value is often underestimated. While the 406 MHz signal passes through satellites before reaching rescue centers, AIS is immediately received by neighboring vessels equipped with a receiver.
An EPIRB with AIS therefore increases the chances of being spotted quickly by a commercial vessel, a passing sailboat or a rescue unit already in the area. For yachts navigating in busy areas such as the English Channel, the Mediterranean or major trade routes, this feature can considerably speed up search operations.
GPS, Galileo and Glonass: not all constellations are created equal
Positioning accuracy depends directly on the number of satellites used by the beacon. All models feature at least GPS (American) and Galileo (European) reception. Some also include the Russian Glonass constellation.
The Ocean Signal EPIRB3, ACR GlobalFix V5 and Jotron Tron 60 AIS models use GPS, Galileo and Glonass simultaneously.
The advantage is simple: the greater the number of satellites available, the faster the beacon obtains an accurate position, especially in poor conditions or under partially masked skies.
Mobile application and NFC simplify beacon management
Long absent from the marine safety sector, mobile applications are now making their appearance on certain EPIRBs. The Ocean Signal EPIRB3 and ACR GlobalFix V5 models feature NFC connectivity (contactless between beacon and smartphone) combined with a dedicated app.
This link makes it easy to check battery status, program parameters or maintenance items from your smartphone.
For owners who keep track of their own safety equipment, this function offers a significant gain in simplicity. It will be of particular interest to long-distance cruising crews who wish to check their equipment regularly, without having to go through complex procedures.
Weight, battery life and price are still the criteria of choice
In addition to electronic functions, there are a number of practical criteria that differentiate the models.
Weight varies widely between manufacturers, from 422 g for the Ocean Signal EPIRB3 to 810 g for the ACR GlobalFix V5. This criterion is of little importance, as the beacon is fixed inside the boat.
Battery life is usually 10 years, but the Jotron Tron 60 AIS claims 11 years before replacement.
Finally, prices range from around ?779 to ?1,002 for manual versions. A significant difference to be taken into consideration when looking at the features on offer.
So, when it comes to making your choice, the main question remains that of your navigation program. For occasional use close to the coast, an EPIRB without EPIRB may be just what you need (although we don't recommend it). For ocean crossings or sailing far from any means of rescue, EPIRB functions, multiconstellation GNSS and tracking via mobile application are particularly relevant selection criteria.
