Found this on antoher forum. Thought it might be good info for you offshore fisherman.
This information is from a thread on the FS Southeast Forum. The information is important and lifesaving. Not many folks who have Epirbs are aware of additional features to ensure you come home alive. Please read:
"Dear Webster323;
I work for a large EPIRB manufacturer. I live in Davie, FL, I just bought a used boat and post on the forum from time to time, but not much--and never relative to my work. A friend saw this thread and sent it to me. I'm telling you all this as I don't want to misrepresent who I am. I can answer one of your questions.
You asked: "I have PLB with built in GPS but am wondering if a bigger one is necessary for these types of situations."
Your PLB sends the same alert and satellite location signal as an EPIRB through the same satellite system. The difference is that your PLB will run for a minimum of 24 hours and you have to hold it or float it free of the water to work. The EPIRB runs for a minimum of 48 hours, has a built in kick-butt strobe light and will transmit while floating--all you need to do is tie the lanyard to your raft, PFD, etc. If you service your beacon every 5 years as recommended then it will likely work for longer than the minimum time in these temperate waters.
If you are prepared to hold your PLB out of the water then it is likely perfectly fine. I'd buy the best strobe light you can find and add it to your PFD and then you've got an excellent visual distress signal and a satellite beacon.
The single best thing you can do to improve your chances of being rescued in a hurry is to REGISTER your PLB with NOAA at http://www.beaconregistration.noaa.gov/ and then filing a float plan with your emergency contact every time you go out. Even better, if you register on-line at http://www.beaconregistration.noaa.gov/ you can file a float plan on-line in the comments section of your beacon's registration file. That way, if you set off your beacon the USCG get's a copy of your float plan with the beacon's alert message!!!!! I wish everyone knew about this! If you've already registered your PLB via fax or mail, I think you can still use the on-line registration web site to file a float plan or modify your registration information, but you'll have to go there and surf around to figure out how.
Sorry if I've offended anyone by commenting on a topic that relates to my work."
This is the thread where the information came from. Unfortunately a very experienced boater apparently has lost his life returning from the Bahamas. His boat was found running in circles off the Treasure Coast after he apparently fell out:
http://outdoorsbest.zeroforum.com/zerothread?id=437467
This information is from a thread on the FS Southeast Forum. The information is important and lifesaving. Not many folks who have Epirbs are aware of additional features to ensure you come home alive. Please read:
"Dear Webster323;
I work for a large EPIRB manufacturer. I live in Davie, FL, I just bought a used boat and post on the forum from time to time, but not much--and never relative to my work. A friend saw this thread and sent it to me. I'm telling you all this as I don't want to misrepresent who I am. I can answer one of your questions.
You asked: "I have PLB with built in GPS but am wondering if a bigger one is necessary for these types of situations."
Your PLB sends the same alert and satellite location signal as an EPIRB through the same satellite system. The difference is that your PLB will run for a minimum of 24 hours and you have to hold it or float it free of the water to work. The EPIRB runs for a minimum of 48 hours, has a built in kick-butt strobe light and will transmit while floating--all you need to do is tie the lanyard to your raft, PFD, etc. If you service your beacon every 5 years as recommended then it will likely work for longer than the minimum time in these temperate waters.
If you are prepared to hold your PLB out of the water then it is likely perfectly fine. I'd buy the best strobe light you can find and add it to your PFD and then you've got an excellent visual distress signal and a satellite beacon.
The single best thing you can do to improve your chances of being rescued in a hurry is to REGISTER your PLB with NOAA at http://www.beaconregistration.noaa.gov/ and then filing a float plan with your emergency contact every time you go out. Even better, if you register on-line at http://www.beaconregistration.noaa.gov/ you can file a float plan on-line in the comments section of your beacon's registration file. That way, if you set off your beacon the USCG get's a copy of your float plan with the beacon's alert message!!!!! I wish everyone knew about this! If you've already registered your PLB via fax or mail, I think you can still use the on-line registration web site to file a float plan or modify your registration information, but you'll have to go there and surf around to figure out how.
Sorry if I've offended anyone by commenting on a topic that relates to my work."
This is the thread where the information came from. Unfortunately a very experienced boater apparently has lost his life returning from the Bahamas. His boat was found running in circles off the Treasure Coast after he apparently fell out:
http://outdoorsbest.zeroforum.com/zerothread?id=437467
