Johnny Appleseed GPSHelp me choose a GPS or accessory
Aids to Safety
- Digital 406MHz EPIRB Model MT401FF
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| *OR* Help me choose a GPS or accessory |
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Aids to Safety
- Digital 406MHz EPIRB Model MT401FF |
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 Use
of EPIRBs in Australia
EPIRBs and PLBs save lives- practical examples in Australia.
We no longer stock this item. Please see alternate EPIRB's such as the Satellite 2 406 EPIRB or the GlobalFix 406 EPIRB with GPS. See also PLB's such as the Kannad PLB, ResQFix 406MH3 PLB or the MT410 PLB.
 Index
to PLB and EPIRB models.
Make sure you purchase a distress beacon fit for purpose (information supplied by AMSA). With the new regulations expected to be introduced
by the State and Territory Marine authorities from 1 February 2009,
all boats proceeding more than 2nms outside partially smooth waters, will
be required to carry an EPIRB that meets the Australian/New
Zealand Standard 4280.1 that deals specifically with
EPIRBs. EPIRBs are required to operate for a minimum of 48 hours
and float upright when deployed in water. EPIRBs are designed to
be activated and deployed in the water to Some PLBs are being touted by retailers as EPIRBs. This is incorrect and quite misleading. PLBs sold in Australia are only required to meet AS/NZS 4280.2 and are only required to operate for a minimum of 24 hours. More importantly, although they are required to float, PLBs need not float in a manner that keeps the antenna above the water for the majority of the time thereby meaning that a survivor must ensure the beacon is supported clear of the water. For these reasons, PLBs, no matter how they are labelled, will not be accepted by the regulators as EPIRBs for the purpose of their new regulations. The intent of the current regulations is for boats to be fitted with EPIRBs that meet Part 1 of the Standard and also excludes PLBs. Owners and crews are encouraged to carry PLBs in addition to the boat's EPIRB where conditions and activities may lead to man overboard situations.
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A national centre has been established by the Federal Government for coordination of Australia's civil search and rescue activities. Australia, as a signatory to the International Safety of Life at Sea Convention 1974 and the International Search and Rescue Convention 1979, is responsible for search and rescue over a vast area of the Indian, Pacific and Southern oceans.The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) has merged the former aviation search and rescue responsibilities of Air Services Australia to a centralised Rescue Coordination Centre in Canberra, Australian Capital Territory. Airservices formerly operated aviation search and rescue coordination centres in Melbourne and Brisbane responsible for civil aircraft operating within the Australian SAR region (47 million square kilometres - over one-tenth of the earth's surface). AMSA coordinated maritime rescues, over the same area. |
When announcing the establishment of the new centre, the then Minister for Transport and Regional Development said the effectiveness relied on the successful coordination of a wide range of Federal, State and Territory agencies including the Defence and Police Forces as well as industry and volunteer rescue groups. Operational and management structures have been consolidated into the new centre to bring a unified, strategic focus to Australia's civil search and rescue operations. RCC Australia strengthens Australia's already formidable international reputation in search and rescue. The new centre has a staff of about 60 and operates 24 hours a day utilising the latest satellite distress and communications technology. Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons (EPIRBs), Emergency Locator Transmitters (ELTs) and Personal Locator Beacons (PLBs) are the prime source of distress alerts. Using the international COSPAS-SARSAT satellite-aided search and rescue system, RCC Australia greatly improves the early detection of distress signals and the chances of saving lives. |
| Postal Address: Australian Maritime Safety Authority AMSA GPO Box 2181 Canberra City ACT 2601 Australia |
Location: Rescue Coordination Centre Level 3 25 Constitution Avenue Canberra City ACT 2601 Australia |
Advice number for distress beacons: Phone 1800 406406 |
What
is GPS? (Explaining the system of satellites and how it works)
The theory of
positioning (How Sir Isaac Newton and others made GPS possible)
