Contact: Ninth Coast Guard District Public Affairs Office
(216) 902-6020
| Ninth District External Affairs U.S. Coast Guard |
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| News Release |
Date: May 18, 2009 Contact: Ninth Coast Guard District Public Affairs Office |
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National Safe Boating Week -- Day 2: Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons (EPIRBs) ● Boaters must have a digital 406 MHz EPIRB. The 121.5 and 243 MHz EPIRBs are prohibited from use in both commercial and recreational watercraft. ● Only the 406 MHz beacons will be detected by the International Cospas-Sarsat Satellite System which provides distress alert and location data for search and rescue operations around the world. ● When a 406 MHz beacon signal is received, search and rescue personnel can retrieve information from a registration database. This includes the beacon owner's contact information, emergency contact information, and vessel/aircraft identifying characteristics. Having this information allows the Coast Guard, or other rescue personnel, to respond appropriately. In the Other users can register their beacon in their country's national beacon registration database or, if no national database is available, in the International Beacon Registration Database at https://www.406registration.com/.
CLICK HERE to hear Boatswain's Mate 2nd Class Tim Lieb, of Coast Guard Station Cleveland Harbor, talk about the value of having a registered EPIRB on your vessel. For media inquiries, additional information or to arrange an interview with a Coast Guard member concerning EIPRBs and properly registering your EPIRB, contact your local Coast Guard unit or the Ninth Coast Guard District Public Affairs Office at (216) 902-6020. ### Saving Lives and Guarding the Coast Since 1790. |
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